By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Tuesday evening’s Bucyrus City Council meeting kept most of its focus on the police department and crimes.
Police Chief Dave Koepke presented his 2015 year-end report, in which he detailed the success the department has seen in combating the opiate epidemic.
“If you look at the trends from 2011 to 2015, you can see the numbers going up and down. Some numbers stand out,” Koepke said.
One of those numbers was the increase in the number of felony arrests for the second year in a row, along with noticeable increases in drug possession (80), drug trafficking (30), forgery (10), and theft (9) offenses. The number of misdemeanor offenses increased as well.
Overall, the police department submitted 3,296 incident reports last year – the lowest number of reports over the last five years.
“The only area of concern is double the number of assault complaints,” Koepke noted.
The department filed 103 assault complaints in 2015, up from 44 in 2014. Despite the jump, Koepke said they have seen continued reductions in burglary and theft cases.
“Overall crime has dropped and there are many variables that contribute to crime dropping and a safer community. That’s where I have to commend the Sheriff’s Office, the Galion Police Department, and our fire department helping out with the Special Response Team,” Koepke said.
“The numbers you see before you, it’s kind of the same story year over year,” he continued. “One of the hardest places in Ohio we were hit with the opiate epidemic and related crime. You see that when you look at 2011 and all the burglary we had.”
The police department had 17 arrests for burglary and attempted burglary in 2011 compared to only nine arrests in 2015.
“We all are just anxious to find answers and look for solutions. It comes with an all-the-above approach. Everybody’s got to pitch in and work towards solving the opiate epidemic and crime will move in the right direction.”
Koepke also credited the work of community groups such as the Guardian Angels, Together We Hurt Together We Heal, and The Jericho House as catalysts in turning the tide against crime and addiction.
Koepke announced the addition of Pastor Mike Greenler of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as a chaplain for the safety forces. He added that they will also be focused on “community-oriented policing” in 2016 where the department will hold town hall meetings to share information and receive feedback.
Law Director Rob Ratliff announced the newest member of Bucyrus’ Most Wanted. Ratliff asked that anyone with information on the whereabouts of 42-year-old Bradley Jordan to contact the Bucyrus Police Department’s tip line at 419-843-2023. Jordan stands 6’1” and weighs 180 pounds. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. Jordan currently has a warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear for court. He was originally charged with theft. Ratliff also noted that Jordan has a lengthy criminal record.
Council approved legislation for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to commence crack-sealing on US 30 and County Road 330. There will be two sections that will be worked on within city limits near the bypasses. The project, scheduled for this summer, will be completely funded by ODOT.