Our dispatch center called several other departments and two of your officers were sent to assist us. The Oakwood officers arrived and helped us make contact at numerous apartments within the complex. I personally spoke with your officers and they asked if there was anything else we needed help with besides attempting to contact as many apartments as possible. I found their assistance invaluable, and we all appreciated their help.

The mother of the child was eventually located thanks to the teamwork involved by all officers on scene. I wanted to express my thanks to both you and your department for helping us that night.”

Mayor Duncan then read the following letter from Chief Matthew Brown at the Centerville Police Department recognizing Detective Kasey Ballinger:

“Lieutenant Joseph Lavigne recommended that you receive a Letter of Recognition. This recommendation was based on an investigation of a child pornography case in which you were instrumental toward resolving.

On April 2, 2020, you advised Centerville Detective Gerspacher of an active child pornography case involving two suspects who reside in Centerville, and a possible juvenile victim. After compiling information, you and Det. Gerspacher obtained a search warrant for the suspects' home located in Centerville and vehicles. You assisted officers and detectives from Kettering and Centerville police departments in executing the search warrant. Charges are pending upon further analysis of the numerous pieces of computer and digital evidence that were successfully obtained.

The teamwork demonstrated by you and all the law enforcement personnel associated with this case was exemplary. The investigation was both thorough and expeditious, from compiling the information and obtaining the search warrant, to locating the suspects and implementing the warrant in a very timely manner.

Your actions have brought credit to you and the Oakwood Police Department. I congratulate you on your professionalism, devotion to duty, and a job well done.”

Mayor Duncan asked Chief Hill to extend City Council’s thanks to PSO Wells, PSO Schaffer and Detective Ballinger.

VISITORS – Mayor Duncan explained that there will be time dedicated for all visitors wishing to call in and address City Council. Comments by Visitors will be broadcast into the Council Chamber so the comments are available for all to hear. Those individuals that pre-registered will be contacted first and then other visitors are welcome to call in to the meeting.

Ms. Stacel contacted the following three visitors that registered in advance of the meeting.

Joey Caley shared that he has lived in Oakwood for as long as he can remember. He went to school in Oakwood and was involved in football, theater, marching band and other activities. There are very few black students, teachers or community members. He does not feel that Oakwood has been consciously racist for a long time, but the murder of George Floyd has opened a lot of eyes to the racism that exists throughout the nation. He feels that the idea of why Oakwood remains predominantly white needs to be looked into, and he hopes that the City took a long hard look at the information presented in the ABLE report. Mr. Caley stated that he loves Oakwood, but that he, along with other Oakwood alumni that he has spoken to, have reservations about living in a community that does not offer different experiences and races. It is difficult for students to become “the ethical decision makers” in a city that does not reflect the diversity of the model world. He closed his comments by encouraging City Council to take racism seriously and to set up a task force to help address this issue.

Rebecca Gentry shared that she has similar concerns as Mr. Caley. She graduated from Oakwood in 2019, and has lived in Oakwood most of her life. She attends college in the Twin Cities, which is where George Floyd was murdered. She recalls marveling at how diverse her new school was, almost like she was in another world. Student government campaigns at Macalester College are encouraging ways to improve diversity because only 3% of the students were black. The college that she found to be so diverse is not diverse at all. Oakwood has completely skewed her perceptions of what inclusivity really looks like. She stated that Oakwood was built with racist housing deeds and the community is feeling the effects of that today. She is interested in understanding why it is so difficult for people of color to become a