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; Fire Trends; Personnel Changes; In-service Training Program; the Citizen Police Academy; and Ohio Collaborative.

Chief Hill shared that the city of Oakwood continues to be one of the safest communities in the area. Oakwood experienced an 11% decrease in reported larceny offenses in 2021, compared to a significant increase in 2020 due to the reported theft of political signs. Overall, reported crimes experienced a 23% reduction from 2020 to 2021. Oakwood had two burglaries in 2021, compared to six in 2020.

Mrs. Hilton asked what requires a crime to be categorized as a burglary.

Chief Hill explained that burglaries occur when a person illegally enters an “occupied” or “likely to be occupied” structure.

In 2020, Oakwood experienced a significant increase in auto thefts. There were 13 total reported auto thefts and the normal yearly average is one to two. Of the 13 vehicles stolen, each vehicle was unlocked with keys inside the vehicle. These vehicles were easy targets that did not require the use of forced entry. In 2021, Oakwood saw a significant reduction in auto thefts. There was a total of two auto thefts which is more consistent with previous years.

There was a significant increase in traffic accidents in 2021. This was a direct result of a 75% increase in reported hit and run accidents. During the three year period of 2018-2020, the Safety Department averaged 32 hit and run accidents per year, compared to 56 reported incidents in 2021. Most of the incidents involved minor vehicle side swiping with damage to side view mirrors.

Medic runs in 2021 were consistent with previous years, including Oakwood’s mutual aid medic run requests to other jurisdictions. There were zero mutual aid medic responses to Oakwood from other jurisdictions in 2021.

The Oakwood Public Safety Department responded to one very minor structure fire that resulted in damage/loss. This is compared to two significant structure fires during 2020 that resulted in substantial damage/loss to both properties. The Oakwood Public Safety Department continues to maintain an exceptional response time that is well below the national average.

Public Safety Officer Ross Green was hired on November 15, 2021, and arrived with five years of experience. Public Safety Officer Green was certified in all three disciplines at time of hire, and is in the process of completing his field training program. Public Safety Officer Matt Staley was also hired on November 15, 2021. Public Safety Officer Staley arrived with a tremendous amount of public safety experience as he has worked as a full time firefighter/paramedic and police officer with the City of Xenia.

The Oakwood Public Safety Department has a comprehensive in-service training program covering all three disciplines. Over the past five years, the department has averaged 3,530 hours of in-service training annually. The training is done through online continuing education, classroom training and practical training exercises.

The 2022 police training to note is the Georgetown Law Innovative Policing Program - Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project. The ABLE Project is designed to prepare officers to successfully intervene to prevent harm to others and create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention. Law enforcement officers are frequently faced with high-stress, high-stakes decisions. ABLE teaches that it is the responsibility of every officer to act to prevent mistakes, prevent misconduct, and promote their fellow officers’ health and wellbeing.

The Oakwood Public Safety Department hosted its fourth Citizens Police Academy (CPA) in 2021. The CPA is a great program for citizens, as well as the Safety Department. The CPA is free of charge, and the next academy is scheduled for the fall of 2022.

The Ohio Collaborative was established in December 2014 to oversee implementation of recommendations for statewide policing standards in a variety of areas. Although voluntary, the Ohio Collaborative certification process provides for an independent review of a police agency to demonstrate transparency, modern methods and standards, and open critique and feedback from assessors. The Oakwood Public Safety Department continues to demonstrate compliance with all collaborative standards and most recently received certification for “Community Engagement, Body Worn Cameras, and Telecommunicator Training.”

Mrs. Hilton asked if there is any type of training for human trafficking being done in Oakwood Schools.