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Hillsboro residents, mayor say more police officers needed WATCH THE VIDEO

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The city of Hillsboro may consider additions to the Hillsboro Police Department to keep up with attrition and municipal codes, after several Hillsboro residents spoke out about a perceived lack of police presence in the city. 
During Monday's regular session of the Hillsboro City Council, residents who live in the area of Tower Drive and Collins Avenue addressed council on increased criminal activity they have witnessed, and their efforts to start a community watch. 
Resident Lisa Keys said that she and several community members have started a neighborhood watch after they saw an increase of thefts and drug activity in the area. Keys said that in addition to items being stolen off porches, people have found hypodermic needles in their yards and mailboxes, and Keys had a window of her home shot with a bb gun, and a breaking and entering. 
"I'm here tonight to bring awareness about that there is a problem in town," Keys said, "and that community awareness and pulling together is going to be the only way to get it to stop."
They have coordinated with HPD Chief Nick Thompson who gave them a neighborhood watch kit, and they have held meetings regarding patrols, and are errecting signs. Keys said that she wanted the council to know that they were organizing the neighborhood watch, because she felt that it was a positive initiative in the community, but that she also wanted to built awareness of the increase in crime in her area. She said that some residents have said they want to patrol the area with shotguns, but that Thompson has cautioned that is not a good idea. 
Keys said that she understood some of the crimes in the area are considered minor, but it was the volume and the increase in the incidents that concerned her, and that she felt it showed an increase in drug use in the area.  
"There's a good force of people," Keys said. "We're all willing to keep in contact with each other and keep an eye out on each other's homes. There's two or three houses in the neighborhood that we think have been part of the problem, and one of them had a meth lab bust a few weeks ago, and those people are no long in the home, which is great." 
Keys said that the members of the HPD have been responsive and helpful, "although they have been responsive to me, there have been other instances when they can't respond. I've been told there there is a problem with the number of police officers that are on hand, that they're down in staff and could use some more officers. Just have the number of police officers down is a problem. If we're going to stay on top of it I think that's an important aspect."
She asked if it was a matter of funding regarding having more officers in the HPD. 
Janet Fair, a neighbor of Keys, also addressed council, saying that she had encountered some miscommunication among city agencies. Fair said that she had called the police regarding some burning of trash that resulted in bad smells and black smoke that was going on in the neighborhood. She said she called the police department and was told to contact Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. When she did that, she said that she was told to call the police department. Fair said that the person who had set the fire was later arrested for having a mobile meth lab. Fair said she believed the fire had been set to mask the smell of the meth lab.
"I understand when there is an emergency call and people need help, then they need to make those runs," Fair said. "I understand that. But you're saying the numbers are down as far as the force is concerned? I think that we need to do whatever we need to do to make sure that the people in Hillsboro have the protection of the police department."
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the city does have a funding problem.
At the beginning of 2010, Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis projected that the city would be facing a deficit by the end of 2012 if the city was unable to cut spending, or increase incoming funds. In recent months, Lewis has stated the city may need to make cuts of 7-10 percent to balance the 2011 budget.
Zink said that the city administration doesn't just spend city funds, rather, "We have to come to city council, they have to go to the auditor, he has to certify it, so we don't just go out and spend money willy nilly."
Keys said that she wanted to know why more funds were not being appropriated for the police department. 
"Right now, our income is down," Zink said. "There have been people we haven't replaced (in the police department who have retired). I think Mr. (Gary) Lewis (Hillsboro Auditor) can attest to the fact that money has been tight."
During the mayor's report to council, Zink said that in addition to the two HPD officers who retired in 2010, two more are anticipated to retire in 2011. 
"I feel that with this situation, we are grossly understaffed in the police department," Zink said. 
Zink read from the city's Code of Ordinances section 32.30 on compensation and age, which states, "The police department shall consist of the following employees: one chief of police, one captain of police, four sergeants of police, 10 patrolmen, and one parking meter repairman."
Currently, Zink said, the city has one chief, one captain, three sergeants and eight patrolmen.
"The bottom line is, we need to fill the two positions that were vacated through retirement in 2010 and prepare to replace the two positions that will be vacated in 2011. By doing this, we will still be one short of the positions (called for by city ordinances)."
Zink asked council if they had any questions and council members did not respond. 
Dave Shoemaker, council president pro temp, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of council president Lee Koogler, asked the finance committee to look into Zink's report. 
Shoemaker had commended Keys and her neighbors for organizing the neighborhood watch, saying that it was a positive step for the community. 
Key told The Highland County Press that anyone who wants to get involved can contract the neighborhood watch through HPD Chief Nick Thompson at (937) 393-3411.
 
The city of Hillsboro may consider additions to the Hillsboro Police Department to keep up with attrition and municipal codes, after several Hillsboro residents spoke out about a perceived lack of police presence in the city. 
During Monday's regular session of the Hillsboro City Council, residents who live in the area of Tower Drive and Collins Avenue addressed council on increased criminal activity they have witnessed, and their efforts to start a community watch. 
Resident Lisa Keys said that she and several community members have started a neighborhood watch after they saw an increase of thefts and drug activity in the area. Keys said that in addition to items being stolen off porches, people have found hypodermic needles in their yards and mailboxes, and Keys had a window of her home shot with a bb gun, and a breaking and entering. 
"I'm here tonight to bring awareness about that there is a problem in town," Keys said, "and that community awareness and pulling together is going to be the only way to get it to stop."
They have coordinated with HPD Chief Nick Thompson who gave them a neighborhood watch kit, and they have held meetings regarding patrols, and are errecting signs. Keys said that she wanted the council to know that they were organizing the neighborhood watch, because she felt that it was a positive initiative in the community, but that she also wanted to built awareness of the increase in crime in her area. She said that some residents have said they want to patrol the area with shotguns, but that Thompson has cautioned that is not a good idea. 
Keys said that she understood some of the crimes in the area are considered minor, but it was the volume and the increase in the incidents that concerned her, and that she felt it showed an increase in drug use in the area.  
"There's a good force of people," Keys said. "We're all willing to keep in contact with each other and keep an eye out on each other's homes. There's two or three houses in the neighborhood that we think have been part of the problem, and one of them had a meth lab bust a few weeks ago, and those people are no long in the home, which is great." 
Keys said that the members of the HPD have been responsive and helpful, "although they have been responsive to me, there have been other instances when they can't respond. I've been told there there is a problem with the number of police officers that are on hand, that they're down in staff and could use some more officers. Just have the number of police officers down is a problem. If we're going to stay on top of it I think that's an important aspect."
She asked if it was a matter of funding regarding having more officers in the HPD. 
Janet Fair, a neighbor of Keys, also addressed council, saying that she had encountered some miscommunication among city agencies. Fair said that she had called the police regarding some burning of trash that resulted in bad smells and black smoke that was going on in the neighborhood. She said she called the police department and was told to contact Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. When she did that, she said that she was told to call the police department. Fair said that the person who had set the fire was later arrested for having a mobile meth lab. Fair said she believed the fire had been set to mask the smell of the meth lab.
"I understand when there is an emergency call and people need help, then they need to make those runs," Fair said. "I understand that. But you're saying the numbers are down as far as the force is concerned? I think that we need to do whatever we need to do to make sure that the people in Hillsboro have the protection of the police department."
Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink said that the city does have a funding problem.
At the beginning of 2010, Hillsboro Auditor Gary Lewis projected that the city would be facing a deficit by the end of 2011 if the city was unable to cut spending, or increase incoming funds. In recent months, Lewis has stated the city may need to make cuts of 7-10 percent to balance the 2011 budget.
Zink said that the city administration doesn't just spend city funds, rather, "We have to come to city council, they have to go to the auditor, he has to certify it, so we don't just go out and spend money willy nilly."
Keys said that she wanted to know why more funds were not being appropriated for the police department. 
"Right now, our income is down," Zink said. "There have been people we haven't replaced (in the police department who have retired). I think Mr. (Gary) Lewis (Hillsboro Auditor) can attest to the fact that money has been tight."
During the mayor's report to council, Zink said that in addition to the two HPD officers who retired in 2010, two more are anticipated to retire in 2011. 
"I feel that with this situation, we are grossly understaffed in the police department," Zink said. 
Zink read from the city's Code of Ordinances section 32.30 on compensation and age, which states, "The police department shall consist of the following employees: one chief of police, one captain of police, four sergeants of police, 10 patrolmen, and one parking meter repairman."
Currently, Zink said, the city has one chief, one captain, three sergeants and eight patrolmen.
"The bottom line is, we need to fill the two positions that were vacated through retirement in 2010 and prepare to replace the two positions that will be vacated in 2011. By doing this, we will still be one short of the positions (called for by city ordinances)."
Zink asked council if they had any questions and council members did not respond. 
Dave Shoemaker, council president pro temp, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of council president Lee Koogler, asked the finance committee to look into Zink's report. 
Shoemaker had commended Keys and her neighbors for organizing the neighborhood watch, saying that it was a positive step for the community. 
Key told The Highland County Press that anyone who wants to get involved can contract the neighborhood watch through HPD Chief Nick Thompson at (937) 393-3411.


 
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