BUCYRUS — Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke presented his third-quarter report, along with awards to the local Guardian Angels Chapter, during the Bucyrus City Council regular meeting Tuesday evening.
“We will start with our newest officer,” said Koepke as Officer Amos Wolfe presented Ellie, a bloodhound, to the council.
Koepke said Wolfe applied for a grant through the Jimmy Ryce Center to be able to get the dog and have her trained to become certified in man trailing.
“The nose of bloodhounds is 60-times stronger than a human’s nose,” Wolfe said.
He said Ellie will be able to help track suspects from incidents such as vehicle break-ins and burglaries along with assisting in locating missing people, such as small children and elderly adults.
Ellie, who will grow to become about 100 pounds, was sworn-in as a member of the Bucyrus Police Department by Mayor Jeff Reser.
“We welcome Ellie to our police force,” Reser said.
During his report, Koepke said that so far in 2019, his officers have responded to 8,353 calls for service compared to 8,716 in 2018.
“Areas with fewer reports are burglary, car crashes and animal calls,” Koepke said.
He said the categories with increases include robbery, welfare checks, assaults, domestic violence, fraud, disturbances and juvenile complaints.
“There has been an increase in the number of overdose and suicide calls,” Koepke said.
On the positive side, the number of requests for assistance through Operation Hope have quadrupled in the past year.
Koepke honored the Bucyrus Chapter of the Guardian Angels by presenting the organization with the Spirit Award for their volunteer service to the community in the past decade.
“Early in the decade, our community suffered from high crime, the opiate epidemic and a severely understaffed police department,” Koepke said. “Bucyrus is one of the smallest cities with a Guardian Angels Chapter. These civilian volunteers helped renew civic spirit with their dedication, commitment, positive attitude, sacrifice and love for Bucyrus.”
As he presented the Spirit Award to the group’s leader, Robin Michael, Koepke said, “Their service inspired community unity and safety in neighborhoods and to the organization and its members, we say thank you.”
Michael said the Guardian Angels are not vigilantes.
“We help fight crime not punish it,” Michael said. “We report suspicious activity to the police that we see while on patrol to assist them in doing their jobs.”
Reser presented each of the members with a framed certificate of recognition.
In other council business, a letter from Bucyrus resident Scott Painter was read by Bucyrus Council Clerk Todd Hill during the meeting regarding grass clippings in the street that pose a danger to motorcycle and bicycle riders.
He said even though the city prints a reminder not to blow grass clippings into the street periodically on the monthly water bills, he would like to see a door hangar program that is being utilized in Marion come to Bucyrus.
He said the hangars inform the resident about the issue with grass clippings and can also be used to issue warnings about property maintenance violations and concerns. The council will obtain more information on the topic.
A resolution for the city to enter into an agreement to breach the Pines Reservoir with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was approved by council. Reser said the reservoir is closed during the draining process.
Other legislation approved by council include a codified ordinances update, various appropriations and transfer requested by the auditor and an OPWC grant application.
Council will have its committee meetings Thursday at 6 p.m.