By KEVIN NEVERS

Since 2002 the Chesterton Police Department has been conducting its firearm training on the property of the Northern Porter County Conservation Club (NPCCC) off North Calumet Ave. in Liberty Township.

So it’s about time, Police Chief George Nelson figured, that the NPCCC gets some credit.

At its meeting Wednesday evening, the Police Commission presented NPCCC President Jim Coons and Trustee Jeff Stack with plaques of appreciation for their and their organization’s civic-mindedness.

“These gentlemen since 2002 have taken care of us for our firearms training,” Nelson said, “no matter how bad the weather, no matter how nasty the weather. They don’t have to be there but we do. Firearms training is mandatory for us. But these guys are always there anyway.”

“On behalf of the commission I want to thank you,” President Steve Brickner said. “We’ve heard how much the officers appreciate your efforts and we appreciate your commitment to the community.”

Town Manager Introduced

In other business, Nelson introduced newly hired Town Manager Bernie Doyle to the commission. “It’s only been a week,” Brickner noted.

“A week and a half,” Doyle corrected him jokingly.

“And you know what,” Nelson said. “He’s already been put through the wringer. He’s going to be an asset to the town, I already feel that.”

Members welcomed Doyle aboard.

Squads Ordered

Meanwhile, Nelson told the commission that this year’s ration of squad cars has been ordered: two Dodge Durangos, at a per-unit cost of $23,587 equipped, from Thomas Dodge of Orland Park, Ill.; and two Dodge Chargers, at a per unit cost of $24,031.75 equipped, from Arnell Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Burns Harbor. The Durangos will be used by the Investigations Division, the Chargers by the Patrol Division.

Total cost: $99,968. The CPD ordered the Durangos from Thomas after learning that Arnell no longer had that model in stock. 

At its meeting Monday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve the expenditure. Moneys for the purchase will come from Cumulative Capital Development, a fund with a dedicated tax rate used solely for the acquisition of emergency vehicles.

Gratitude

In a note to Nelson, Nicole Wood expressed her gratitude to Lt. Dave Lohse and Officer Larry Powell for their assistance in extricating her vehicle from a snow drift on Jan. 19. “I’m grateful to be in this town where the CPD can and is willing to help even in non-emergencies,” she wrote.

January in Review

In January the CPD responded to 1,960 calls (1,285 in December), filed 58 cases (71 in December), issued 33 citations and 64 warnings (56 and 172 in December), filed seven felony charges and 16 misdemeanor (six and 43 in December), served one warrant (one in December), and investigated 45 accidents with seven injuries (45 accidents with two injuries in December).

No information was available on juvenile investigations in January nor on Directed Patrol activities.

Calls for service included 58 alarms, 14 animal complaints, three reports of battery, one burglary, 10 domestic calls, two reports of forgery, six reports of fraud, 15 parking violations, 19 residence checks, two runaways, one report of shoplifting, 32 suspicious circumstances, 17 suspicious persons, 14 suspicious vehicles, 14 thefts, 96 traffic stops, two train complaints, five incidents of vandalism, 13 miscellaneous juvenile complaints, one report of identity deception, and four noise complaints.

Posted 2/13/2009