 |
Nearly two-thirds of the voters who cast ballots in Tuesday’s special election supported a measure to fund an additional police officer in Russells Point.
“That’s outstanding,” Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof said upon learning the unofficial results that show the new 1.5-mill levy passing by a 67-40 margin.
The measure will generate slightly more than $46,000 per year, which will fund an additional full-time village police officer.
“The goal for this levy is to provide a third full-time officer for the village and that will allow us to provide protection most of the time now. We’re real close to providing around the clock coverage but unfortunately we still haven’t reached 24/7.”
He said having officers on duty at key times reduces the time people have to wait for a police response.
“This will make a real impact on the life safety of the people of Russells Point,” the police chief said. “People expect and deserve to have a timely response in their time of need. One minute can seem like an hour in a crisis.”
The levy has appeared several times on recent ballots and has been voted down by narrow margins. The chief said he plans to work hard to demonstrate the value his department brings to the community.
“We understand that there were still some ‘no’ votes,” Chief Freyhof said. “It’s important for community to understand we will continue to work hard and continue to earn what we are receiving from the taxpayers. We will make it worth their while.”
The Russells Point Police levy was the only issue on the ballots in Logan County and their were no contested primary races for Bellefontaine City Council positions.
The 107 voters who turned out at the polls are 12.4 percent of the 864 qualified voters in the village, the Logan County Board of Elections reports.