Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Jail security system needs immediate replacement, Commissioners told

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By JEFF SCHULTZ

The 13 year-old integrated security system at the Porter County Jail failed on Sunday, Sept. 6 and was down for a period of 48 hours, according to County Sheriff Dave Reynolds.

The system was back up the following Tuesday but Reynolds told the County Board of Commissioners at their meeting yesterday that the jail is “running on life support” and asked them to declare a state of emergency to speed up the process to hire a firm to put in a new system.

The board voted 3-0 to declare an emergency situation with Commissioner President John Evans, R-North, citing the provision in the state law that gives permission for the County to seek bids without advertising. Four vendors the County has worked with in the past will be invited to give bids: Stanley Security Solutions; Security Automation Systems; Video Tech; and Johnson Controls.

DLZ division manager Mike Jabo will conduct a walk-through with the vendors. Evans said the Commissioners will review the bids at their Oct. 20 meeting and make a selection.

Reynolds after the meeting told the Chesterton Tribune that order was maintained at the jail during the time the system was off, crediting that to his staff.

“They did a really great job keeping things operating with no incidences,” Reynolds said. “We had no problems with the inmates.”

Reynolds said the current system was installed by Stanley Security Solutions when the jail opened in about 2002. Problems with the system began early this year and Reynolds said he made the Commissioners aware of them. He is not sure how much funding will be needed for the new system.

In other business related to the jail and sheriff’s police, the Commissioners approved a purchase of a new police vehicle for $29,020 from Barile Ford in Valparaiso. Captain George Gonzalez said the insurance collected from the two vehicles that were totaled -- one a 2015 Ford Explorer and the other a 2010 model -- came to $29,250 which could be put towards a new vehicle.

Also approved by the Commissioners was the interface system at the jail and the 911 Communications Center for $9,870 to be paid out of the phones budget and 911 will pick up the $568 annual service fee.

The Commissioners also agreed to request an $80,000 allocation for some lingering maintenance costs the 911 Center has accrued. The request will be put before the County Council. 911 Director C.J. Wittmer said the costs were not funded in his 2015 budget but he has included them in the 2016 budget which will be reviewed Wednesday night.

EMPOWER powers up

At the start of the meeting, the Commissioners said they will continue to give funds to support EMPOWER Porter County, in the amount of $50,000 next year.

The Commissioners helped start the group in 2012, along with the Cities of Portage and Valparaiso, the Porter County Community Foundation, Porter Regional Hospital, United Way of Porter County and NIPSCO, in collaboration to reduce substance abuse in Porter County.

EMPOWER Porter County’s Executive Director Heather Harrigan Hitz said the organization now has measuring tools for their initiatives and are growing their Around the Table initiative that gives families the chance to engage in positive conversations. A mobile app is being created to give parents resources on how to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse.

They’re also expanding their outreach for families to recognize behavioral problems that could lead to substance abuse.

“We’re trying to be very proactive,” said Barb Young, director of the Porter County Community Foundation.

Support for new Valparaiso school

In Plan Commission business, the board unanimously approved the Valparaiso Community Schools’ request to rezone 25 acres of land at 50 W. Heavilin Road in Center Twp. to build a new elementary school accommodating up to 500 students south of Ind. 2.

No one spoke against the request during the public hearing before the first budget reading. The Schools’ attorney David Hollenbeck said the goal is to make “21st century experiences” for the students and the idea for a new school was promoted in the Valparaiso Schools’ referendum which voters approved this May.

County Council member Sylvia Graham, D-at large, from the floor voiced her support saying, “This is long overdue.”

Commissioner Jeff Good, R-Center, also believes the plan is “on the right track.”

“Let’s send if off. People want this,” Good said.

Also receiving a positive vote, the Commissioners 3-0 voted in favor of rezoning a parcel of land owned by the South Haven Nazarene Church at 611 N. 450 W., in Portage Twp., for a proposed community center.

Commissioner Laura Shurr Blaney, D-South, expressed her support to Pastor Scott Jones. “I’m excited about what you’re doing and I think it’s great for the community.”

In other business:

-- The Porter County Parks Department received the nod from the Commissioners to pursue a grant with the Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust. Park Board President Rich Hudson said the grant is being sought to help acquire the 37-acre “Cain” property near where Old Chicago Rd. meets I-94 in Pine Township, which contains wetlands.

-- Hudson, the County’s MS4 Operator, asked the Commissioners to honor a proclamation from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Commissioners voted 3-0 on the proclamation recognizing Sept. 21-25 as Septic Smart Week, raising public awareness on how homeowners can better manage their septic systems.

-- Wittmer said since it was announced in the media a few weeks ago, over 300 residents have signed up for emergency alerts now available through Smart911. The 911 center will continue to promote and encourage the use of the free service. Registration can be done at www.smart911.com, or by finding the link on the County’s webpage, www.porterco.org.

-- The County’s Human Resources Manager Pam Courtney said that about 480 County employees have received ethics training with resources from the Northwest Indiana Shared Ethics Commission. The last session wrapped up on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Evans said all three County Commissioners received the training and he encouraged members of the County Council to do so as well.

 

 

Posted 9/16/2015

 
 
 
 

 

 

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