School resource officer pondered by Board of Works

Rather routine consideration of elevating a police officer’s status from probationary to fulltime at the April Greencastle Board of Works meeting begat a discussion of the potential need for a school resource officer for Greencastle Community Schools.

Following unanimous approval to elevate Officer Justin Herd from probationary status, Mayor Bill Dory first asked Assistant Chief Ed Wilson how the recent active shooter trainings had gone. That, in turn, led to a question from board member Trudy Selvia about whether a school resource officer might be needed in Greencastle.

Wilson, who is also a member of the Greencastle School Board, said the idea is something to which he has given some thought.

While no official action was taken on the matter, it was suggested that perhaps the city could partner with the school corporation in the endeavor.

Wilson said that in the past it has been noted that multiple city police officers are on duty during the school day and likely never far from any of the schools.

Should a resource officer be hired, Wilson suggested that he or she would need a patrol car since they may have to move from school to school across the five-building corporation.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar noted that it would likely be a $100,000 investment for the city to hire an officer, provide benefits, training, uniforms and a vehicle. The vehicle, it was noted, would likely be one of the high-mileage former patrol cars kept by the department as substitute cars.

Assistant Chief Wilson pointed out that should the city hire a resource officer that during the summer months or vacation periods, he or she could provide extra manpower for the department in general.

Meanwhile, Wilson also reported on other police-related matters in the absence of Chief Chris Jones, who was attending a conference.

He reported that Capts. Charles Inman and Brad Hiatt, along with Sgt. Zach Rhine, have received their new 2023 Tahoe Police Interceptor vehicles and “they seem to be doing very well.”

Relative to Officer Herd, Wilson noted that he joined the department in April 2022 and has attended Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and participated in several field training endeavors, all of which saw Herd praised by his field training officers.

“He’s an asset to the department,” Wilson commented.

In other business, the Board of Works:

-- Heard Mayor Dory report that street resurfacing efforts in the city this year will be kept as simple as possible “with everything else torn up this summer. We want to get in and get out.” He also noted that the annual sidewalk project is out for bids.

-- Passed Resolution 2023-1 in an agreement on the city’s $1 million Community Crossings grant. The grant will be used to various street improvement projects. The state requires the mayor to sign the agreement.

-- Announced an agreement with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Organization for a housing study. Mayor Dory said it involves leftover READI money and would provide $1500,00 in grant funds for a study to look at several potential existing housing development sites as well as possible barriers to construction, such as annexation.

-- Addressed an issue with the Sherwood lift station and force main that “has been an issue for many years,” Dory said. An advertisement seeking bids on the project is ready to go with May 15 the target for opening with 180 days proposed for completion. “It’s been on the list to do for a number of years now,” the mayor noted, while Water/Wastewater Superintendent Oscar King Jr. added “that it’s least 25 years.”

Members Dory and Selvia were joined for the hour and 15-minute meeting by Craig Tuggle.

The Board of Works’ next regularly scheduled meeting is for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17.