MOUNT VERNON – Two officers were recognized by the Mount Vernon Police Department.
Patrolman James Coffey has been selected by his peers as the 2021 Officer of the Year for the Mount Vernon Police Department, Police Chief Robert Morgan said.
Before Coffey joined the MVPD in June 2018, he was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the Basic Police Officer Training Academy at Central Ohio Technical College in May 2017.
Coffey serves as a field training officer and a member of the Emergency Service Unit Team.
Officer Joshua Perry joined Coffey and the rest of the Mount Vernon Police Department in a lateral transfer from the Morrow County Sheriff's Office, Mayor Matt Starr told the Mount Vernon News.
He started with Morrow County in 2019.
Perry graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School in 2017 and attended Columbus State Police Academy, where he graduated in 2019, Morgan said.
Smoke detectors, emergency calls
The Mount Vernon Fire Department with the Red Cross installed smoke detectors in more than 103 homes throughout Knox County. Starr said 412 smoke alarms were installed.
“Jan. 1 through the 27th, we've had 492 emergency calls, 10% with fire, 90% EMS, which is pretty typical,” Starr said.
The fire department answered an average of 18 calls per day, and with the snow emergency, it responded to eight motor vehicle accidents.
“The chief wanted to make sure to remind drivers [they] should slow down immediately when approaching an emergency scene when first responders are on the scene,” Starr said.
Fire Chief Chad Christopher asked Mount Vernon residents who have neighbors with special needs or are elderly or have other issues to check on them during winter weather.
“It's just a nice idea just to make sure they're doing OK,” Starr said.
Snowstorms create overtime for Street Department
Between Jan. 16-28, the city’s Street Department had 190 overtime hours, he said.
The city has received 251 tons of salt with another 250 tons on order.
“We're using mix if we need to until the rest of the salt gets here, but anyway, we'll be ready for the next snowfall when it arrives,” Starr said.
The Parks Department continues to help clear some sidewalks around the Public Square and the C&C Depot.
When the two departments aren’t dealing with snow, they are performing maintenance on equipment.
Digging to begin for Clintonville project
Plans were to begin work on the Clintonville stormwater and sewer line project on Monday, with digging as early as Wednesday.
“That's over by Grange, Fern and Pearl Avenue on the north end of town,” Starr said.
Letters were sent out to residents of the neighborhood about the schedule.
“That's a very important project because it is going to help us out with several EPA compliance-scheduled items that we have, not to mention just separating out the stormwater from the sewer lines, which is a very important measure we need to take,” he said.
Mobility in Mount Vernon, Knox County
The city had its Mobility Management Advisory Committee meeting last week with Suzy Simpson from Knox Mobility, talking about its goals.
Plans include a pilot program for expanded hours for Knox Area Transit; expansion of some regional transportation options; and using technology to improve coordinating services with senior services, veterans services and Knox Community Hospital.
Quarterly meetings are planned to provide progress updates.
