STAFF REPORT
Public Safety Department Presentation: Chief Alex Bebris, Public Safety Director, referenced a PowerPoint presentation and updated Council on the following topics: Crime Trends; Shroyer Road Improvements; and Cases of Note.
Chief Bebris reported that burglaries and thefts have dropped significantly from 2016 to year-to-date, 2017. This reduction is due to aggressive patrolling by Oakwood Public Safety Officers.
Over the course of a six month period between November 2015 and April 2016, the city of Oakwood studied Shroyer Road. The purpose of the study was to assess the accident history and evaluate the overall safety of the 1.1 mile roadway corridor. The study, which was performed by the engineering firm of Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc., identified significant safety problems and recommended countermeasures to address the safety concerns and to improve Shroyer Road for all transportation modes including vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle. The primary safety problems with Shroyer Road are high crash rates including rear-end crashes, angle crashes, left turn crashes and sideswipe crashes; lack of safe crossings for pedestrians and cyclists; and, excessive vehicle speeds. The Shroyer Road project objectives are to reduce accidents; slow the traffic; provide safer pedestrian crossings; improve the bikeway crossing north of Dellwood and provide bike lanes; improve the roadway streetscape; and, recreate a residential feel through the corridor. The project in well underway and is anticipated to be completed in October. Throughout this project, Public Safety Officers have had a strong presence on the roadway to ensure the safety of traffic, pedestrians, residents, and workers. Chief Bebris recognized Captain Jones for overseeing things from a safety standpoint.
The city placed a 24-7 prescription drug drop-off box by the dispatch window at 30 Park Avenue. The drop-off box accepts pills and patches, but no liquids or needles. So far, the drop-box is being used daily and numerous items have been collected and destroyed. The Miami Valley Crime Lab is available to accept items that the Oakwood prescription box does not. They are available to call Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Oakwood is a participant in a Council of Governments that administers the radio network that the Oakwood Public Safety Officers and vehicles use to communicate. The countywide system is part of the larger statewide MARCS system. A fee is paid each month per radio for system maintenance and upgrades as needed. The current fees are set at $20 per radio per month. This is a robust system that is statistically known during storm events to take more than 75,000 radio transactions in a one-hour period.
Since 2015, the Public Safety Department has responded to approximately 40 incidents in which city street signs have been damaged costing the city thousands of dollars in repairs. In an effort to put an immediate stop to the incidents, the city of Oakwood is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) involved.
The CVS pharmacy, located at 2801 Far Hills Avenue, was robbed just after 8 p.m. on May 1 by two males. One of the suspects passed a note to a worker stating it was a robbery and to give up pain prescription medications. The employee called 911 which startled the suspects and they fled without further incident. Federal prosecutors identified and charged two men with this attempted robbery attempt, according to court documents. Brandon Freeman and Davis Harris have been charged in Dayton's U.S. District Court with attempted interference with commerce by threat or violence, according to a criminal complaint written by a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent. A total of eight people are under Federal Indictment for a ring responsible for multiple pharmacy robberies in the Miami Valley.
Finally, Chief Bebris shared that after working in the public safety profession for over 29 years, and 11 years as Oakwood's Public Safety Director, he has decided it is his time to move on. His last day will be November 10. He shared that he and his wife have made several trips out east and they wish to purchase an inn in Vermont. Also, he said that he received an offer for a position to do police department outreach work for troubled departments around the country. Chief Bebris shared that Captain Alan Hill will be appointed on November 10 to serve as the new Oakwood Public Safety Director. He recalled when Captain Hill first interviewed for the Public Safety position. His was the best interview that Chief Bebris recalls having and he distinguished himself early on. Throughout his career, Captain Hill has produced only top-shelf work and the Public Safety Department will be in good hands going forward.
Captain Hill thanked City Council, Mr. Klopsch and Mr. Weiskircher for their confidence in his abilities to serve as the incoming Public Safety Director. He appreciates the opportunity. Captain Hill said that he will only be the 7th person since 1955 to be appointed to this role. He said that as he goes forward, that is a reminder how truly great this opportunity is. Through professionalism, dedication and commitment, the Public Safety Department will continue to