BBB: Organized retail crime has big local impact

Posted October 16, 2013 by admin

The impact of organized retail crime is likely larger than you expect. In fact, 94 percent of businesses say they have been victims of these criminals in the last 12 months... (Click headline above for full story)

Area Law Enforcement Agencies All at NNO Kickoff Event

Posted July 30, 2013 by admin

More than thirty local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participated in the Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association (MVCPA) National Night Out 2013 Kickoff Event held Saturday at The Greene Town Center located on the border of Montgomery and Greene Counties. The participating agencies included the likes of the U.S. Marshal’s Office at the federal level. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the state level. And filling out the roster at the local level were an array of law enforcement officers from both Montgomery and Greene Counties. Our local police were well represented with Brookville, New Lebanon, Perry Township and Clay Township all taking part.

This family event is a multi-jurisdictional collaborative that has combined with KidsFest the last two years to make it a fun day for all ages.

After the kickoff event many communities follow-up with their own block party type event to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to get out in the community, interact with law enforcement in a positive manner, while getting to know their neighbors and promote crime prevention.

On view at the kickoff were police cruisers and motorcycles, special vehicles such as the Dayton Bomb Squad “Bear”, police motorcycles, DARE vehicles, the Batmobile and the Jokermobile. A special cast of characters was also on hand that included Batman, Robin, Batwoman, the Joker and the Penguin.

Truck Crashes on Wolf Creek Pike with Stolen Riding Mower in Bed

Posted June 12, 2013 by admin

What may have looked like a simple traffic accident on Wolf Creek Pike Wednesday morning was actually much more accordingly to Brookville and Perry Township Police.  The driver of the truck, Kenneth Christman, age 50, of 339 Baker Street in Brookville crashed the truck near the intersection of Wolf Creek Pike and Air Hill Road during early morning hours.

Police say Christman was leaving Brookville via Wolf Creek Pike and passed a stationary Perry Township police car near Keener Road.  The pickup immediately accelerated and the Perry Township officer did not see the pickup truck again until a few minutes later when he arrived at the accident scene.

The Ohio State Patrol responded to investigate the traffic crash while area police began investigating where the riding mower came from.  Police are familiar with Christman and strongly believed the mower was stolen. 

A short time later, the mower was confirmed to have been stolen from a residence on Timberwolf in Brookville.   Police suspect Christman in a recent rash of night time thefts that include multiple jurisdictions and followed up with a search warrant at his residence today.  There is a cooperative investigation underway that includes detectives from Brookville, Perry Township, Clay Township, New Lebanon, Jackson Township, Trotwood, and Preble County.

Christman remains hospitalized for injuries incurred in the accident and is on probation for similar criminal activity.

Perry Township & ODNR Kids Fishing Derby Draws 50 Young Anglers

Posted June 10, 2013 by admin

"Daddy, I've got one!"

That’s the line you could expect to hear most often at Sycamore State Park as the 15 took place. The Annual Kids Fishing Derby is hosted by the Perry Township Police and Ohio State Parks. Kids ages 3-12 and their parents lined the shores of the upper pond and enjoyed what turned out to be a nice day.

While some were hoping to catch the big one, others were really enjoying a leisurely day and some quality family time. Those with fish stories of their own and pictured above included Brandon Hutsonpillar – largest fish at 15 inches; Michael Sherman – who caught 13 fish; Austin Ingram – most fish caught with 22; Calvin Gilbert – who caught 18 fish; Logan Singleon – smallest fish at 2 ½ inches; and Cheyenne Kastle who caught the first fish.

The Perry Township Police and The Ohio State Parks team up for at least events for kids each year with a large Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, the fishing derby in the summer, and “Ghostly Night Out” in the fall near Halloween.

The project managers for the Kids Fishing Derby were Chad Smith of Ohio State Parks and Perry Township police officer Deanna Weghorn.

Perry Township Police at Brookville Optimist Bike Rodeo

Posted May 22, 2013 by admin

The Brookville Optimist Club sponsored the annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo at Intermediate School parking lot on Saturday May 19th with nearly fifty kids participating. This was a free event to promote public bicycle safety and to prepare younger school-age children's readiness for street riding. The friendly skills competition followed and was open to area kids in grades K-4.

Each student had the opportunity to have their bicycles inspected, get their helmets properly fitted and conduct a maneuverability skills course. Each student received a participant's ribbon plus prize medals were provided to the top 4 scores in each age group based upon the student's performance on the skills course.

The area police and fire departments partnered at the event to provide be free bicycle helmets and fitted them for the participants.

MVCPOP Conference Staffed by Perry Township Police Department

Posted May 22, 2013 by admin

The third annual Miami Valley Community Problem Solving Policing (MVCPOP) Conference was held last Saturday at the Kroc Center in Dayton. The conference focuses on methods of resolving local problems through the structured engagement of community, civic, and government stakeholders who utilize a simple problem solving method. Once the problems are identified, engaged stakeholders: (1) Perform careful analysis identifying its contributing key elements; (2) Develop and implement responses to resolve the problem; and (3) Assess the effectiveness of actions taken.

This method simplifies every problem or crime to a triangle (see image). In every problem you have to have someone who causes the problem, someone who is affected by the problem, and a location where the problem occurs. The community then builds partnerships between neighbors, police, other government departments or agencies to effectively erase one part of the triangle - thus, getting rid of the problem. The conference is hosted by the Miami Valley Crime Prevention Association with the City of Dayton and the Perry Township Police Department taking on major roles at the event. Each of the three years for the event, Officers and Ambassadors from the Perry Township Police Department have staffed the event to coordinate displays, classes and to promote positive interaction among the four hundred plus attendees.

Perry Township Police Receive “Above and Beyond” Award

Posted May 21, 2013 by admin

Last fall, the Perry Township Police Department was recognized by the United States Department of Defense / ESGR as a “Patriotic Employer” at an Englewood dinner reception. The Patriot Award honors employers for their superior support of National Guard and Military Reserves.

The Perry Township Police Department moved one step higher this past weekend joining two other Ohio law enforcement agencies to be recognized at a reception in Columbus. The Perry Township Police Department joined the Gahanna Police Department and the Cleveland Heights Police Department in being selected to receive, “The Above and Beyond Award”. The recipients of the Above and Beyond Award are selected by ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) field committees which recognize employers at the state level who have gone above and beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

The ESGR is a Department of Defense agency that was established in 1972 to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve. The Perry Township police department staff currently includes six military reservists, one active military officer and several other veterans. And with that, the Perry Township has experienced as many as four of their officers being deployed at one time. Lt. Michael Rinehart was specifically named in the fall award nomination for working closely with the reserve military personnel to insure deployment as well as the officer’s return to civilian employment went smooth. The police department will welcome another one of their officers back this month from active duty with the air force.

The Perry Township Police has also been active in sending packages to military personnel deployed overseas and has organized a special thank you to military veterans the last two years where area law enforcement officers staffed Rob’s Restaurant as a thanks to our military veterans.

Perry Township Police Receive $13.5 Thousand in Grants

Posted May 02, 2013 by admin

The Perry Township Police Department has been award two grants totaling $13,516.75 according to Det. Sgt. Gerald Bowerman. Bowerman is the police department’s project manager for grants and is responsible for the original proposal, grant management and required reporting. In order to be awarded the grants the agency must be in good standing of prior grant reporting and other state and federal requirements.

One grant originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the second from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Law Enforcement 2012. The police department filled for both grants through the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services.

The grant monies were awarded to the Perry Township Police specifically to aid the department in replacing their Mobile Data Terminals (in-car laptop computers) and radio equipment. The police department anticipates completing the equipment purchases by July 2013.

PTPD Move to Show Support for Boston

Posted April 18, 2013 by admin

Next Thursday afternoon , April 25th, will be issuing official MLB Boston Redsox Ballcaps to PTPD officers and Ambassadors. These ball caps may be worn on and off-duty. Officer will be wearing these hats through Saturday, May 18th.

Officers will have the choice to wear one or have it placed on the dash of their cruiser in a manner thatit can be seen by the public. The hats serve at least two purposes. It is meant as a small, yet visible, show of support by our police department for all effected by the two bombs at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Secondly, the hats should also be a daily reminder to our staff of the need to plan, to prepare and “think through” how they will respond when faced with tragic events. Prepare yourself mentally and physically now for those days that come with certainty in this line of work.

Montgomery County 7th Annual LEO Memorial Ceremony
Friday, May 03, 2013

Posted April 13, 2013 by admin

Law enforcement officers, elected officials, public dignitaries, family survivors, and the general public are invited to join together on Friday, May 3, 2013, to remember the 36 Montgomery County law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty over the past 130 years.  The Memorial Ceremony will begin at 11:00 A.M. preceded with a procession of officers, retirees, and cruisers arriving at the ceremony site at Riverscape at 10:50 A.M.  The keynote speaker will be Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald.  The survivor speaker will be Dayton Police Officer Rob Cleaver, survivor & partner of fallen Dayton Police Officer Jason Grossnickle.

Free parking is available in the City of Dayton parking lot, 301 East Monument Avenue for all law enforcement personnel, command staff personnel, elected officials, government leaders, and family survivors.  A complimentary luncheon for law enforcement officers and family survivors will follow the ceremony at the Antioch Shrine, 120 East First Street.

Command Staff members:  Assemble at Temple Israel parking lot, 130 Riverside Drive, to lead the procession of officers walking on foot to the ceremony site.  Please arrive by 1025 hours to assemble for the procession.  Seating will be provided for police chiefs and directors in a designated section at the Riverscape Pavilion.

Elected Officials / Government Leaders:  Free, limited parking is available at 301 East Monument Avenue.  Seating will be provided in a designated section at the Riverscape pavilion.

Uniformed law enforcement officers / honor guard members / Pipes & Drum Corps / Mounted Patrol:  If walking in the procession, arrive no later than 1025 hours and assemble in the Temple Israel parking lot, 130 Riverside Drive for the procession.  If driving a marked cruiser in the procession, cruisers must check-in at the Temple Israel parking lot, 130 Riverside Drive, and will be staged for the procession.  Uniform of the day is your department’s dress uniform or Class “A” uniform (long sleeve uniform shirt, uniform pants, and hat).  Seating will be provided for all officers at the Riverscape Pavilion.

Family Survivors:  If you wish to ride in the procession, free parking will be available at 301 East Monument Avenue, and you will be shuttled to the procession staging area at Temple Israel in the Sheriff’s Office vans.  If you wish to observe the procession, the viewing area will be along Riverside Drive north of Monument Avenue.  Seating will be provided in a designated section at the Riverscape Pavilion.

Law Enforcement Retirees / non-uniformed officers / F.O.P. members: If walking in the procession, free parking will be available at 301 East Monument Avenue., and you will be shuttled to the procession staging area at Temple Israel.  Please arrive no later than 1025 hours to assemble at Temple Israel for the procession.  If not walking in the procession, proceed west on Monument Avenue to the Riverscape Pavilion.  Seating will be provided in a designated section.  Dress is business attire.

General Public: Parking is available at meters and area paid parking lots. The general public is welcome to view the procession travelling south on Riverside Drive from Temple Israel to west on Monument Avenue to the Riverscape Pavilion.  The general public is welcome to attend the Officer Memorial Ceremony.  Free seating is provided behind the uniformed officers and family survivors.

Perry Township Police Easter Egg Hunt Draws Another Big Crowd

Posted April 03, 2013 by admin

With more than 14,000 eggs this year, a beautiful day, and the appearance of the Easter Bunny, the 18 th Annual Perry Township Easter Egg Hunt was again a big success. Kids of all ages, including many adults, found ways to participate in the event this year.

Just a week earlier, almost a foot of snow covered the park grounds but a warm week of weather and work by the Sycamore State Park employees had the park ready to go Saturday. Ohio State Parks Programming Manager Chad Smith estimated the attendance at Sycamore Park at 1,500 people which resulted in overflow parking in both directions on Providence Pike.

Chad Smith is also a Perry Township police officer and served as the project manager for the 18 th Annual Perry Township Easter Egg Hunt. According to Smith, a big thanks goes to Scout Troop 161 who assisted by filling the egg – a major task when you are talking about 14,000 eggs.

Four bikes and a motorized police car were some of the major prizes to be given out to children who found prize numbers in their plastic eggs rather than candy. The prizes are donated by friends, area families, local business and community organizations. Even the adults who wore bunny ears through the event were also eligible for prizes for the second year and the response was great with more than 75 adults participating.

The Perry Township Police, along with Ohio State Parks, have two more events planned for kids this year at Sycamore State Park – a fishing derby in June and a Halloween event in October.

Perry Township Police, and Alumni, Team Up to Nab Burglary Suspects

Posted March 14, 2013 by admin

Approximately three weeks ago, the Perry Township Police and Miami County Sheriff’s Office honed in on Jason Vencill, age 34, of West Milton as a burglary suspect. The Sheriff’s Office had tracked stolen stereo equipment to him while PTPD had determined Vencill was operating an illegal gambling house in north Dayton at night and burglarizing houses during the day.

PTPD shared information with the Organized Crime Task Force, Dayton PD and Miami County Sheriff’s Office before taking action Monday. Ironically, when it all came together, it was coordination between current and former PTPD officers working together across three counties that brought the investigation to a head.

PTPD received information that Vencill was going door-to-door in Warren County with associates. “They would knock on the door, and if someone answered they would try to sell tree trimming services. If no one answered, the house may be burglarized,” according to Chief Bob Bowman. “They spent only 3-4 minutes at a house, targeting guns, jewelry, money and flat screen TV’s,” he added.

Deputy Brandon Abshear, who started his law enforcement career at PTPD and became an Evidence Technician during that time, was collecting evidence, including shoe impressions, and quickly sharing that information with PTPD and Deputy Keith Carter. Carter, who also started his career at PTPD and served as a detective, was waiting on the suspects as they returned to Miami County. Deputy Carter stopped their Ford Explorer loaded with loot from at least three burglaries that day.

All three suspects in the car were taken into custody. Vencill was initially charged with three counts of Receiving Stolen Property. Passenger Andrew Smedley was already wanted on a felony theft charge out of Michigan, and Lightfoot was found to be on parole having been released from prison two months ago after serving time on a bank robbery conviction.

The Miami County Sheriff’s Office followed up the traffic stop that evening with two search warrants recovering a large amount of stolen property from Vencill’s residence on Emerick Road in West Milton. While the investigation is ongoing, recovered property appears to link the trio to at least three burglaries in Warren County, three in Montgomery County, and nine in Miami County.

Barn Fire a Total Loss

Posted March 14, 2013 by admin

On Tuesday morning just before 11 AM, fire personnel from Brookville, New Lebanon and Trotwood responded to a Perry Township barn fire located at 1776 N. Clayton Road on the property of Paul H. Osborne. Perry Township Police, who were first to arrive on the scene, reported the barn fully engulfed in flames. The cause of the fire had not been determined but was not considered suspicious. Lost in the fire were eight rabbits, a golf cart, snowmobile, and tools. There were no injuries or other structures damaged by the fire.

No Foul Play Suspected in Body Found

Posted March 14, 2013 by admin

David R. Saunders, Jr., 42, of 2555 N. Diamond Mill Road was found deceased in his residence on Monday, March 11. Saunders reportedly suffered from several medical conditions including an untreated heart condition and a history of seizures.

Saunders had been living at this address for more than six months and worked on remodeling the house in exchange for rent. No one had reported seeing or having contact with Saunders for the previous two weeks. The Perry Township Police and the Montgomery County Coroner’s are investigating but reported no signs of foul play.

18th Annual PTPD & ODNR Easter Egg Hunt

EVENT March 30, 2013 at 1:00pm

WHEN & WHERE:
Saturday, March 30th at Sycamore State Park, Overlook Area
(Located on Providence Pike between Diamond Mill Road & Wolf Creek Pike)

WHAT to egg-spect:
• 12,000+ eggs this year
• Special prizes and gifts
• Visit by the Easter Bunny and friends

AGE GROUPS:
4 ages divisions with separate search areas
2 & under; 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Area Police Agencies Train Together to Make Schools Safer

Posted February 26, 2013 by admin

While operating as a police officer, there may come a time when officers are required to immediately respond to an ongoing critical incident at a school, workplace, or other environment. Police officers from Perry Township, the City of Brookville, and Clay Township trained together Sunday in the Brookville High School for just such a crisis.

The active shooter training educated officers on methods of response and how to effectively put an end to such an incident. There is a nationwide shift at changing how law enforcement officers are expected to respond to calls for an active shooter. There was a time when officers would arrive on scene first and secure the perimeter while waiting for a SWAT team to show up. More recently, with active shooters, there may not be time to wait for a SWAT team. The officers training Sunday, from these three agencies, formed ad hoc “rapid response teams” and entered the building to engage the threat.

Perry Township Police Add to the Fun and Technology at TechFest 2013

Posted February 25, 2013 by admin

Last weekend, Sinclair College hosted TechFest - an annual event designed to get K-12 kids excited about math and science. The two-day free event focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and attracts more than 3,300 people each year. Since 2010, The Perry Township Police Department has partnered with The Greene Town Center and set up interactive displays as part of the event.

PTPD personnel have demonstrated the technology associated with night vision equipment, thermal imagers, tasers, police radar and laser along with other traditional police equipment. Officer Adam Gutt served as the project manager this year and was joined by several other PTPD officers and ambassadors.

The event is organized by the Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton (ASC) and featured more than 70 booths with hands-on activities for kids in areas like aviation, life sciences, electricity, chemistry, engineering and mathematics. The Perry Township Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol represent law enforcement each year.

Throughout the weekend, speakers delivered entertaining and informative presentations on STEM topics. Some of the speakers included a NASA astronaut, an Air Force flight test pilot and a college professor. And one of the most popular booths is always PTPD and The Greene where kids line up to test drive a Segway. It is often a memorable exhibit, and “photo opportunity” for kids and their families. Kid-friendly events like TechFest expose young students to math and science in a fun way that will encourage them to explore math and science. The Perry Township Police Department supports the educational opportunity and community interaction of the event.

Perry Township Recognized as Patriotic Employer

Posted late 2012 by admin

The Perry Township Police Department was recognized in September by the Department of Defense / ESGR as a “Patriotic Employer” at an Englewood dinner reception.

ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) is a Department of Defense agency that was established in 1972 to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve. The Perry Township police department staff includes six military reservist, one active military officer and several other veterans. And with that, the Perry Township has experienced as many as four of their officers being deployed at one time. Lt. Michael Rinehart was specifically named in the award nomination for working closely with the reserve military personnel to insure deployment as well as the officer’s return to civilian employment went smooth.

The Perry Township Police has been active in sending packages to military personnel deployed overseas and also organized a special thank you to military veterans last year where area law enforcement officers staffed Rob’s Restaurant to “serve those who have served us.”