STAFF REPORT

Public Safety Department Presentation: Chief Alan Hill, Public Safety Director, referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following topics: Crime Statistics; EMS Trends; Overtime Expenditures; Personnel Changes; Citizen Police Academy; and the Assisting and Contributing to Oakwood Resident Needs (ACORN) Program.

Chief Hill began his presentation by reporting that there has generally been a steady decrease of crime in Oakwood over the past four years. These statistics are impressive and show that the actions of the Public Safety Department and the Oakwood community are working.

There was a slight increase of crime in 2018 which is attributed to theft incidents. Oakwood experienced a 32% increase in reported larceny offenses that was primarily the result of two individuals breaking into vehicles. These individuals were arrested and charged with multiple offenses resulting in a clearance rate of almost 90%. The national clearance rate average is 22%. People are becoming more aware of identity theft and are closely monitoring their accounts, which is why there was a significant decrease in identify theft over the past two years. Oakwood has only experienced three burglaries over the past two years and all three cases have been solved.

Oakwood’s mutual aid medic run requests to other jurisdictions have significantly increased over the past five years. There were zero mutual aid medic responses to Oakwood from other jurisdictions in 2018.

In 2018, Oakwood experienced a 37% reduction in traffic accidents, the lowest number of accidents in the last five years. The “Road Diet” on Shroyer Road has helped immensely. There has been a 40% decrease in accidents on Shroyer Road since the “Road Diet” was implemented.

The Oakwood Public Safety Department diligently monitors overtime hours. Over the past seven years, the annual average of overtime hours was 3,884. From 2005 – 2011, the average overtime hours were 5,194. When comparing these timeframes, this equates to a 23% reduction in overtime hours and an average yearly savings of over $50,000.

PSO Bryan Shaw recently resigned from the Safety Department to accept a positon with the Mason Fire Department. PSO Shaw did an excellent job for the City during his tenure with the Safety Department. PSO Bruce Upchurch recently retired with over 27 years of public service, of which 11 years was with the city of Oakwood. PSO Ryan Wells was hired on October 14, and arrived with five years of police experience. Officer Wells recently completed the fire academy and EMT school and is in the process of completing his field training program. PSO Chris Slone was hired on January 7. Officer Slone arrived with a tremendous amount of public safety experience as he has worked as a full-time firefighter/paramedic with the city of Fairborn and a police officer for the city of Mason.

In November 2018, the Oakwood Public Safety Department completed its first Citizens Police Academy (CPA). The CPA was well-received by the participants and by the officers who instructed. The CPA is free of charge and is open to any Oakwood resident or individual working within the city of Oakwood. The next CPA is scheduled for September of this year and applications will be accepted beginning in June. The Safety Department is very excited for the upcoming academy. It is a tremendous way for officers and command staff to interact with members of the community.

On March 1, the Safety Department implemented the Assisting and Contributing to Oakwood Resident Needs (ACORN) Program. The program is designed to assist residents in times of emergency, and provide peace of mind through proactive community outreach, implementing safety plans, and advocating for the well-being of Oakwood’s senior and at-risk population. Program benefits include: periodic wellness visits from Safety Department; procedures for Oakwood Public Safety Officers having secure access to your home in the event of an emergency; up-to-date medical information; and a partnership with Wright Memorial Library Book Delivery Program. The ACORN program is free-of-charge and is intended for Oakwood residents who are 65 or older, residents living alone and/or residents with limited contact with caregivers. The goal of the program is to work in partnership with our senior and at-risk citizens to better address their needs and improve their quality of life within the community. To enroll, contact the Safety Department and arrange for a home visit. Officer Kasey Ballinger has been instrumental in the development of this program.

Chief Hill closed his presentation by sharing that the Public Safety Department almost had a clean sweep in the employee bi-annual chili cook-off. Captain Mike Jones received first place for chili; Crew One received second place for chili; and Captain Kevin Pruszynski won for the best dessert.