Tuesday, May 11, 1999
Residents like plan for police
Full-timers needed, they say
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — To Vickie Rocheleau, the proposal to add four full-time police officers is a logical step.
“Monroe's going through a transition — growing steadily,” said Mrs. Rocheleau, who was picnicking with her five children Monday at the city's Main Street community park. “They have to take steps to keep up with the growth. Adding more police now would only help make a good police department better.”
That remark was echoed throughout Monroe on Monday. Merchants and residents endorse the city's plan to add to the police department.
During an 8 p.m. meeting today, Police Chief Ernest Howard plans to ask city council to approve adding the four officers to help meet the needs of this fast-growing city, which straddles the Butler-Warren county line.
Lori Hader, logistics manager for Ryder Integrated Logistics, said police have been responsive to the needs of the business.
“But it would always be great to have more full-time officers, especially with all the changes in this city,” Mrs. Hader said. “And it shows the community where the city's priorities are — on safety. That's comforting to the residents and businesses.”
Monroe became a city in mid-1995, and the department became a full-time operation the end of that year.
The department maintained a large staff of part-time officers, but lately, many of those part-time workers have been busy with full-time jobs. The result: 12 full-time officers have been required to work frequent overtime to pick up the slack, the chief said.
“I have no complaints at all about our part-time people,” Chief Howard said. “They've been great. But we need some more people who are going to be available all the time. We're not that tiny village we used to be where nothing happens. We need to build our staff for the present and the future.”
As the population grows and the commercial and industrial base expands, the demand on the department has grown, Chief Howard said. Having Interstate 75 and two state highways — Ohio 63 and Ohio 4 — within the city boundaries adds to the demand for police service, he said.
The calls for service rose from 4,251 in 1992 to 5,621 in 1998. The 1998 figures include 468 accidents, up from 277 in 1992.
Thefts also are on the rise: 306 last year vs. 243 in 1992. There were 1,379 traffic citations logged last year, up from 822 in 1992. Arrests also have nearly doubled since 1992: 382 in 1998 vs. 194 in 1992.
“We have good continuity of service now, but when I have people on vacation or sick, we need help,” Chief Howard said. “I've put on my uniform and worked the streets when we're shorthanded, and so has the captain. I'm not a bit too good to do that, but there's work to be done in here, too.” ”
Hiring the four officers should save money, the chief added.
“Paying overtime at time-and-a-half adds up fast,” he said. “We had 3,083 hours in overtime last year just for the nine officers who work the street. Of course, we'll still have some overtime, but not nearly as much.”
Dave Drinnen, a maintenance worker at the Monroe Terrace apartment complex, wonders whether police response to calls will be delayed without more officers.
Alice Ward, co-owner of the Country Flower Store on Main Street, agreed the time is right for more police. “There's more people, more traffic, more speeding, more trouble,” she said.
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