After lengthy public comment at last month’s Riley County law board meeting, there was absolutely no public coment this time around. However, Law Board member Dave Lewis mentioned continuing concerns he’s hearing from members of the public about problems at Pillsbury Crossing. Just last week Assistant Riley County Police Director John Doehling alerted Riley County Commissioners to the issue, and Lewis said he continues to hear from residents in that area.
RCPD Captain Kurt Moldrup updated the board on the latest activity by law enforcement at the popular party spotm, admitting there’s been an “unusual increase” out there. He says there’s a special reaction team of three officers and a supervisor, who will be focusing on specific law enforcement in that area. In fact Moldrup says already there’s zero tolerance in that area, with good strong enforcement. Lewis suggested making the public more aware, and Moldlrup indicated he’d get with the Public Information Officer.
Country Stampede is almost here! And that means area law enforcement agencies are getting ready, including Riley County Police, who provide traffic assistance and security in the campgrounds. Riley County Police Captain Tim Hegarty asked for the Riley County Law Board’s approval of the annual contract with Country Stampede during the group’s Monday meeting and it was approved unanimously.
And after last month’s discussion by Riley County Law board members regarding alcohol enforcement in the Aggieville area, Riley County Assistant Police Director John Doehling briefed the group on the latest efforts. He mentioned semi-annual reports, but board member Dave Lewis had a question about that, suggesing a monthly accounting. Doehling assured the law board the report could be made on a more montly basis.
Riley County Police department policies concerning officer discretion have been under closer scrutiny lately, with recent concerns brought to the Riley County Law Board about enforcement in Aggieville. Doehling updated law board members Monday about efforts in that regard,with board member Rich Jankovich saying he thinks RCPD is doing really good work on the matter. Doehling agreed there are times strict enforcement isn’t the answer. Doehling added RCPD’s always checking the reports to be sure there’s culpability on the bar’s part before referring to someone else to review.
Law Board members also approved moving forward on an application for a grant through the Edward Byrne memorial justice assistance grant program. The 2014 allocation totals nearly $20,792. with Doehling indicating it would be used toward upgrading the department’s current computer systems.
Also Monday, law Board members met in executive session at the end of the meeting and afterwards approved unspecified disciplinary action from the RCPD director.
