Police chief reviews vandalism problems with juveniles
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
An exasperated Jeff Pohlman, Peabody police chief, informed Peabody City Councilmen Monday night that he is tired of dealing with juveniles who consistently disregard rules and ordinances that govern behavior in the community.
"We have had several weeks of pumpkin smashing," said Pohlman. "It started even earlier this year than in past years and people are tired of it. We've gotten lots of complaints."
Pohlman said a case involving a group of juveniles who vandalized the Christmas lights during the summer was turned over to the county attorney.
"This group of kids has to make restitution for the damages," he said. "They are in the system now as juvenile offenders. There doesn't seem to be a way to deal with them lightly and still make a point."
Pohlman said vandalism has increased in the downtown area and kids on skateboards have damaged steps and planters at several businesses as well as the benches on the sidewalks.
"We are going to start writing tickets," he said. "And then we are going to start confiscating skate boards.
"Right now we try and talk to the kids and talk to the parents. It does no good."
Pohlman also mentioned the lawn ornaments that were stolen and dumped into Doyle Creek east of town, as well as other acts of vandalism.
"Its a losing battle," he added. "If we don't get a handle on it, it is just going to escalate. These kids are the ones who will end up in bigger trouble later because there are no consequences for their bad behavior now."
City council members expressed their approval of a department-wide effort at controlling juvenile offenders.
In other business the council:
— heard the final walk-through for Smokey Hill Construction at the new sewer plant will take place at 11 a.m. Friday. The council also heard from public works director Darren Pickens that he is ready to sign off on the list of project deficiencies at the sewer ponds.
— approved a 30-day extension for Richard Knauf to tag and insure a pickup truck on his property.
— extended until the Nov. 13 meeting a review of the properties at 407 Plum and 411 N. Maple.
— approved the lease-purchase of a new copier from Business Systems Inc. Councilman Gene Schmill left the council room and did not participate in the decision to accept the bid from BSI.
— agreed to wait until the next meeting to discuss literature presented by Peabody Main Street Association director Kristen Hooper related to the historic designation of the downtown area.
— approved sending Curtis Gray to a two-day excavation training school.
— heard both swimming pools have been completely resurfaced. Pickens told the council he will not refill them or cover them this winter, giving them extra time to cure.
— requested Pickens seek up to date information on water tower painting and repair for spring. Pickens also was told a job description and advertisement for a full time employee in his department would be published in December.
— heard city employees have begun installing a fence along the north edge of city park at Division Street.
— made the decision to contact Nancy Hubble of Inland Paving one more time for a confirmation of her intention to fulfill her contract for street repair. If she has neither responded nor started the work by the Nov. 13 meeting, council will cancel the agreement and seek other options.
— approved a review-hearing procedure for people who are in danger of having their water shut off. Information will be sent to residents in the community newsletter enclosed in the water bill and be available at the city office. A hearing may be requested of hearing officer Stephanie Ax between the time a person receives a late notice and the date of disconnect.
— heard that Frank Woodruff has volunteered to trim the trees downtown if city employees will haul the debris to the burn pit.
— entered an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
— made a $50 donation to Marion County Toy Run.
— received a list of Kansas Department of Transportation resources for use in case of a catastrophic event.
— heard that Pohlman is planning to purchase new radar equipment before the first of the year. The equipment will give officers more flexibility in assessing the speed of vehicles.
