By PAULENE POPARAD

Porter Metropolitan Police Commission members expressed hope Tuesday that future accidents will be averted at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Waverly Road thanks to a split-phasing of the traffic signal there.

The commission for well over a year has lobbied the Indiana Department of Transportation to add left-turn lanes and a dedicated turn arrow, especially for westbound traffic.

Falling on deaf ears, more recently the commission sponsored a local petition drive asking INDOT for safety upgrades, including adjusting the traffic signal, at what is considered one of the town’s most dangerous intersections.

INDOT made the split-phasing announcement last week, however, wet weather temporarily has delayed completion of required electrical work until Aug. 27. Once reprogrammed, motorists westbound and eastbound on U.S. 20 will have their own separate green signals allowing them to turn left onto southbound and northbound Waverly Road without having to contend with oncoming traffic.

Motorists northbound and southbound on Waverly Road will continue to share a green light.

“I’m very glad,” said commission member Karen Pisowicz of the signal modification. President Bill Donley added, “We should commend former commission member Brian Dahlin. He got the ball rolling and he did an awful lot of leg work on it.”

In other business, two promotions were announced. Cpl. John McMahon was promoted to sergeant and Detective Mike Veal to corporal. Pay increases for the new ranks won’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2008.

Also Tuesday, the commission concurred with Police Chief James Spanier’s plans to have a Porter police representative participate in both the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force and the Porter County Substance Abuse Council. Spanier said the task force could prove especially helpful when additional resources are needed. “If we have any serious case we could have a lot of seasoned detectives hit it hard.”

Spanier said July 19 several Porter officers were among 60 people from every law enforcement agency in Porter County attending an Indiana State Police Interdiction Team training seminar in Portage. Taught were signs why a person might be suspicous, and how to find hidden compartments in which drugs could be transported.

July 19 and 20 the participating agencies, including Chesterton and Burns Harbor police departments, conducted a saturation patrol on Interstate 94; twelve K-9 units assisted. Spanier said the patrol resulted in 113 traffic arrests and 207 warnings; the arrests included 10 drug-related arrests, three of them felonies.

Donley asked if Porter police wanted to have a K-9 unit again. Spanier said yes but with the department short-handed they can’t spare an officer, who would be compensated with hours off for having the dog full time.

The commission also voted unanimously to approve modifications to its policies regarding reserve police officers. Spanier said the changes more clearly spelled out at which point a reserve officer can do what.

The July activity report was released showing total calls jumping to 622. There were 595 calls in June. Porter police also traveled 14,980 total miles (7 percent off-duty) compared to 13,943 total miles last month. July activity resulted in three felony and 23 misdemeanor arrests, the former up one and the latter down from 35 in June.

Last month police made 127 traffic stops, issued 40 citations, handed out 63 written warnings and 30 verbal warnings. There were three driving while suspended/prior; two possession of marijuana; and one each possession of paraphernalia, driving while suspended, criminal recklessness, fleeing, operating while intoxicated, OWI refusal, and unlawful use of a right-of-way.

Thefts increased from 13 in June to 16 last month; there were also two vehicle thefts in July. There were six criminal mischief calls; three each minor consuming, property damage and public intoxication; two each battery, burglary and intimidation; and one each child abuse, fraud, possession of alcohol, residential entry, shoplifting, stolen bicycle, threats and warrant service;

Assists to other departments numbered 77; to other jurisdictions, one; assists to citizens, 18; found property, nine; two each civil matter, general information and juvenile; and one each attempted suicide, lost property, and missing person.

There were 10 business and two residential alarms in July. Animals control calls were 13 and one animal bite was reported. Other calls were eight each for local ordinance and VIN checks, as well as 14 lockouts. Twelve business checks were made, down from 32 in June; There were 55 July calls to emergency 911, 13 of them misdials.

Spanier confirmed his department has taken possession of a hybrid 2007 Toyota Prius, which is powered by both gasoline and electric batteries. The vehicle will be used primarily as a detective car. The Prius is supposed to get 60 miles-per-gallon in the city and 55 mpg on the highway. The car replaces a 2001 Chevy Impala that got 16 mpg.

Posted 8/22/2007