Board approves police pay changes, YMCA workplace rates and permits for summer events

The Board of Public Works and Safety on May 1 approved personnel actions in the Hammond Police Department, a workplace wellness agreement with Crossroads YMCA to offer discounted rates to city employees, and several public event permits for upcoming parades and festivals.

Correspondence from William Short, chief of police, asked the board to approve veteran specialty pay for probationary officer Emmanuel Suarez and degree specialty pay for probationary officer Michael Baxton, both effective April 17, 2025; to promote officers Adam Seles and Joseph Dursich to corporal effective May 3, 2025; and to reassign Corporal Kyle Wagers from patrol to the jail division effective April 28, 2025. The board chair recommended approval and a board member concurred.

Separately, the mayor's office and economic development staff reviewed an agreement with Crossroads YMCA to provide special employee rates; a city presenter said, "This is going to be the agreement to allow city employees to have special rates at the YMCA," and the board approved the agreement as presented.

The board also approved permits and closures for community events: a parade request from the Hammond Hermits for May 2 (police approved), a Festival of the Lakes street‑closure request for July 16–20 that would close sections of Ninth Street, Sheffield Avenue and Calumet Avenue for festival activities and parking, and several residential block/garage‑sale requests with adjusted times where noted.

Why it matters: the personnel approvals affect staffing and specialty pay within the police department; the YMCA agreement provides an employee benefit; and the event permits authorize street closures and public‑safety coordination for summer events that will affect traffic and neighborhood access.

Next steps: the personnel changes take effect on the dates recorded in the Police Department correspondence; the YMCA agreement will be administered by city HR and the YMCA; event organizers must follow the police department's traffic and public‑safety suggestions.