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PERRY TOWNSHIP -- Perry Township Police Chief Richard Kimble presented the township trustees with his year-end report in its meeting Monday.
Kimble said that the police department had received 1,212 calls in 2023, a slight decrease of 13 calls from 2022. That figure breaks down to 255 calls in the township's southeast, 322 in the southwest, 77 in Salem Acres, 176 in the northeast, 302 in the northwest, 69 in the city of Salem, and 11 outside of the township.
Kimble also said that the department had issued 419 traffic citations in 2023, an increase of 115 from 2022, which Kimble attributed primarily to speeding citations.
"I'd say we're up 102 just in speeding, citations with how people goof off in the four-lane," said Kimble.
Citations from traffic accidents also proved to be a significant contributor, with Kimble explaining that roughly a full quarter of those citations had resulted from accidents; with 83 OH-1 crashes, and 34 private property accidents, an increase of 14 from last year. Kimble also said that the township had seen a slight increase in accidents with injuries, with eight more than last year, and 13 OVIs in 2023.
Kimble said that the department had replaced two of its six radios with new MARCS units, noting that the remaining four would no longer be serviceable after this year.
Kimble also said that he was working on obtaining further certifications for the department through the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board which would increase the department's eligibility for grant funding. Kimble explained he had begun working on the department's second certification of eight in July, and that while the process was lengthy it would help secure future grant funding.
"You go over your policies and send them in, they go over it and if they're okay with it they pass it if not they send responses with things, they want you to change, so it's a lengthy process but that will help us get some of the state and federal grants," said Kimble.
Kimble also said that the department's new schedule was "working out great," with the recent approval of a sixth full time officer, and that the department had been able to virtually eliminate its part-time hours with "none this month."
"We got the extra guy and whatever shift we need he floats up or down and covers things," said Kimble.
Kimble also noted said that he had received the township's contract for dispatching service for the police and fire departments through the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office, and he had been surprised that the rate had not increased like other departments' dispatching contracts. However, trustees Chairman Steve Bailey explained that when the township originally negotiated its contract with the sheriff's office, it had secured a set rate for five years, which would be "ending soon."
The board of trustees will meet next at 4 p.m. Feb. 12.