Dunkirk short on police officers

DUNKIRK — The city’s police department is hiring.

Dunkirk Board of Works on Monday discussed the status of the police force, which continues to be short-staffed.

Mayor Jack Robbins reported that a police officer was let go, resulting in only four officers currently remaining on staff. Another officer would have been headed to Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for training later this month, but the academy has been shut down because of a COVID-19 outbreak. The city’s dispatcher also resigned last month.

Robbins said police chief Dane Mumbower is considering bringing on officers from other departments in part-time roles to help bridge the gap until new staff can be hired.

“We’re running into some overtime right now trying to cover for all of this,” said Robbins.

He also reported that paving of Moore Avenue, Walsh Court and Ellis and Layne drives is complete. It was paid for in part by an Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grant.

“It looks pretty good,” he said. “I’ve heard no complaints yet.”

In park related business, Robbins said a border has been set around new playground equipment at Dunkirk City Park. Pea gravel was scheduled to be laid around the equipment Tuesday.

He added that the parks department is in need of a new mower and that new lights, a liner and other equipment is being considered for Dunkirk City Pool. He said he is looking into pursuing an Indiana Department of Natural Resources grant to continue extended trails in the park.

Brock Farmer of the city’s water department reported that attendance was strong for Saturday’s Zack Hummer Memorial 5K/10K and 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the park, with 23 teams involved in the tournament. 

Robbins noted that Monday was the final day Dunkirk City Pool will be open this year.

Board of works members Jesse Bivens, Dan Watson and Robbins also approved the following expenditures and purchases: $1,408.77 for gravel from U.S. Aggregates as part of a project to repair a water leak on Johnson Street; $895 from Weber Office Equipment of Muncie for a copy machine for the street department; and $650 to Display Craft for decals on a police department vehicle.

Board members also heard from Farmer that the water department is in the process of ordering equipment to replenish inventory.

Watson asked if charges for fire protection contracts with townships had been raised last year and if they would be raised this year. Robbins said he would review the contracts and report back to the board.

During Dunkirk City Council’s meeting, which followed the board of works meeting, council members Jesse Bivens, Bryan Jessup, Tom Johnson, Kevin Hamilton and Christy Curts:

•Approved the following: donating $500 to Jay County Cancer Society’s WALK Against Cancer; waiving the fee for the Indiana 167 10-mile yard sale that is scheduled for Sept. 10 and 11; and a water leak adjustment totaling $382.96.

•Heard questions from resident Danny Monroe about whether the city has protocols regarding employees responding to questions regarding their coronavirus vaccination status and whether the city’s police have arrest quotas. (The answer was no for both questions.) He also asked if the city has considered adding a “bark park” for dogs. Robbins said that has been discussed and suggested Monroe bring his suggestion to a park board meeting.

•Heard from Robbins that lifeguards were included in the annual 2% raise approved by city council.