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Public Safety Committee discusses department reports

Posted February 05, 2015 10:00 pm

By Pete Spitler The Herald Tribune

CHESTER -- The Chester Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee held its monthly meeting on Feb. 5 at Chester City Hall and discussed a variety of topics.

Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey highlighted items discussed during a department meeting on Jan. 15, as well as recent presentations that involved derelict properties and upcoming training scenarios.

Coffey said he has identified issues within the department related to a lack of chain of command.

"My recommendation is going to be that we go into executive session next month to discuss personnel related to (chain of command)," he said. "There will be sensitive issues related to the operation of the department."

Coffey said his department is examining the possibility of a "use of force" training day in the spring that would include calls for service and a traffic stop.

Officers would be using Airsoft weapons during the exercises, which may be open to the media to observe and possibly participate in.

"We're going to reach out to the other agencies as well," Coffey said. "I think this will give some people an opportunity to see what it's like to be in our shoes."

In regard to the topic of derelict properties, Coffey said that the house at 1047 George Street - which the Chester City Council recently rejected a rehabilitation plan for from owner Clarence Johnson - had 74 calls for service in two and a half years.

Coffey said those calls included domestic violence, drug abuse, child complaints and trash and debris.

In previous statements to the media, Johnson said he bought the house from Kathy and Tony Walker based upon an advertisement on Craigslist.

The Randolph County Assessor's Office told the Herald Tribune in January that the last recorded sale date of the house was September 26, 2011.

"Calls for service in that entire block have gone down 100 percent since it emptied," Coffey said.

Coffey also spoke about addressing derelict properties in the future.

"To be able to address these properties a little more aggressively is what I feel we need to do," he said.

In regard to training, Coffey said his department is examining taking online training for hazardous materials and bloodborne pathogens rather than sending personnel to the course.

"This is costly for us and (the training) has not changed in the 17 years I have attended," Coffey said. "But it is state-mandated."

Coffey said his department has found the courses, which are pay-by-student, available online for $432 for the entire CPD staff.

That is opposed to the $3,500 it costs to send officers to the course.

"That nearly equips a squad car," Coffey said.

During his report, Head EMA Coordinator Charlie Bargman II said he may have a candidate for replacement of Dave Holder, who resigned several months ago as assistant EMA coordinator.

Scott Stirnaman, a member of the Chester Fire Department since 2005, is being recommended.

Bargman also praised Public Information Officer Larry Willis of the Randolph County EMA for his handling of the media during the recent evacuation of the Gwin Apartment Complex.

Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert presented preliminary budget numbers to the Safety Committee, including an $900 estimate to replace his 12-year-old office computer.

Bert also elaborated on his department's need for a new fire truck in the coming years to replace the 1986 pumper currently in service.

"I think we need to come up with a plan to see where we can come up with $400,000 over the next several years," Bert said.

The next meeting of the Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee is scheduled for March 4 at 6 p.m. at the Chester Municipal Building.

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