By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Police Chief Dave Koepke told Bucyrus City Council Tuesday night he believes there is a sense of optimism building in Bucyrus. Koepke is almost four months in as the chief of police but he is already seeing a turnaround in the community.
“The reality of what I really need to talk about really hit home,” Koepke said as he came up the stairs to attend the Bucyrus City Council meeting. He reflected on “two dear friends to the community” that had succumbed to drug addiction recently.
“We can’t arrest our way out or jail our way out of this problem,” he said. Instead, Koepke believed, the real work stems from the determination of the citizens to keep an eye on their neighborhoods and report crimes. He credited the Neighborhood Watch, the Guardian Angels and Together We Hurt Together We Heal for all the work the groups are accomplishing in the community.
“We’re enthused with the support we get from the people,” he said.
Koepke highlighted the seven successful search warrants executed over a two-month period and the significant drug seizures that have recently occurred.
“That’s great news. That’s what the public wants to see from us,” said Koepke. “I feel there’s a sense of optimism building” and that it comes from the passion of individuals at home.
“The bottom line is, just like our parks, just like the dilapidated houses, we have to have resolve we can do better,” Koepke said.
The police and fire departments are waiting once again to see if a tax increase levy will make it through another election day.
Bucyrus Auditor Joyce Schifer explained that funds generated from the levy will be put in a separate fund for the safety forces alone. The money from the fund will be used strictly for safety forces equipment, salaries and new hires.
“It’s going to be right there, specifically for those purposes,” assured Schifer.
The tax increase levy has failed numerous times already but, due to the public’s concerns over where the money would go and how it would be spent, Council chose to earmark the funds specifically for the safety forces.
Koepke pledged during the Council meeting that his department would do the best it can with the services it has available.
“It’s not the police department’s campaign, not the fire department’s campaign—it’s your police department and fire department,” said Koepke.
Donovan O’Neil, the Northwest Ohio Regional Liaison for the Auditor of State’s office, presented Schifer with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction for 2012. The award represents an auditor’s efforts to complete a clean and accountable audit report. Of the 5,600 entities in Ohio that submit reports, only two percent qualify for the recognition.
“I do not do it alone,” said Schifer, crediting her staff and the Council for the work they do.
Council passed three pieces of legislation Tuesday night. Ordinance 31-2013 established a 2013-2014 Ohio Crime Victims Assistance Grant fund and an Ohio Public Works Commission—South Walnut Street Waterline fund. Ordinance 32-2013 made appropriations to the General Fund, the 2013-2014 Ohio Crime Victims Assistance Grant, and the OPWC South Walnut St. Waterline, Waterworks and Solid Waste Management funds. Resolution 223-2013 amended an agreement with Malcolm Pirnie for the Long Term Control Plan by changing the business’s name to Arcadis U.S. Inc. and changing the address and cost.
The Platting Committee has scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. on Oct. 7. The Finance Committee will follow with a meeting at 6:15. The Nov. 5 Bucyrus City Council meeting, which falls on Election Day, has been moved to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 4.