Speedway Celebrates National Night Out(posted Aug 8) Resident Marie Hall summed it up while walking to a park bench at Leonard Park August 7 to watch people participate in Speedway's Second National Night Out. "We have to say thank you to our firemen and police officers," she said. National Night Out is a national crime watch program that is hosted by local police departments and crime watch neighborhoods throughout the country. As for Speedway residents, the event allowed them to interact with police officers, firemen, community prosecutors and code enforcements officers. It was a unique opportunity for the public to see law enforcement as the average Joe, enjoying grilling and eating hot dogs while engaging in normal conversations. "What is not to love when a firemen and police officers are cooking," City County Councilor Marilyn Pfisterer said. Code Enforcer Jereme Howery spent two hour being dunked as kids threw balls at the bullseye on the dunk tank. His partner, code enforcer Buddy Elwanger, often assisted those children that missed the target by hitting the target with his hand. Community Prosecutor Robert Reel attended to pass out literature about the Marion County Prosecutor's office. "I am on vacation. I came out for a hot dog," he quipped. Sgt Sam Alexander allowed the public to set on his new motorcycle. Alexander was one of four officers that received a new motorcycle in May of 2007 through a trade in of the old models. The cycle attracted the young and the old. Three-old Gracie Thiele was one of the first to hop on. The department received the new motorcycles along with some laser speed detectors. Police Chief Jeff Dine said the radar guns are always being replaced but the new laser guns do not require a connection to the cigarette lighter for power. He said the cordless lasers have an accurate distance measuring capabilities that are used in accident investigations. The department also showcased its new SWAT truck that was purchased from Brink's for $10. Dine said the truck is ten years old with high mileage. A former reserve officer who now works for Brink's called to see if the department would be interested in purchasing the truck. The only stipulation is that the department must return the truck to Brink's instead of selling it once it reaches its functional obsolesce stage. He noted that Zore's repainted the truck for free. The department has had a SWAT team for about ten years. It is a nine member team that requires 18 months of training including classes from the FBI SWAT School. Part of the requirements include agility testing. Once an officer becomes a SWAT member, it doesn't necessarily mean he is automatically activated to duty. The officers must prove themselves that they are ready from all of the training. The team continually trains at its monthly meetings. Dine said the department will no longer rely on Marion County when it is in need of a truck. He said the SWAT truck is used more than the public thinks. The SWAT truck is called out for high profile warrant arrests, suspects with violent histories, narcotics busts that include the threat of special weapons being involved or barricaded hostage situations. He said the truck is mostly used outside of Speedway to issue warrants that have involved criminal activity within the town limits. |
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