A Crestwood swim club meet last week, or who is paying for the crossing guards?
While driving on Sappington Rd. last week I, and several others noticed two Crestwood officers (in uniform, and with Crestwood Police cars) acting as "crossing guards" from St. Elizabeth to the City Hall parking lot!
Now if they were "off duty, and on secondary" I have no problem with that, at all. That said, I called City Hall and asked if in fact they were on secondary employment, but NO RESPONSE was forthcoming! I E-mailed Chief Mike, and again, no response!
At this juncture, I have become "concerned" to say the least, as I know of no police contract that allows our officers to act as "crossing guards" for the swim club!
Swim club members, I want my police officers "in the hood. not on the hood of a car assisting you in crossing illegally!
Tom Ford
NO. 643
Now if they were "off duty, and on secondary" I have no problem with that, at all. That said, I called City Hall and asked if in fact they were on secondary employment, but NO RESPONSE was forthcoming! I E-mailed Chief Mike, and again, no response!
At this juncture, I have become "concerned" to say the least, as I know of no police contract that allows our officers to act as "crossing guards" for the swim club!
Swim club members, I want my police officers "in the hood. not on the hood of a car assisting you in crossing illegally!
Tom Ford
NO. 643
posted by Crestwood Independent at 19:23
28 Comments:
What? no one knows anything about this? Incredible if you ask me, surly someone ordered those two officers out onto Sappington Rd. to stand by to "J" walking, no?
Tom Ford
Tom,
Your unyielding axe you have to grind with the animal control officer and sappington house manager has blinded you to the fact that the city administrator has hired himself a full time assitant. I believe this should be addressed before we have to loose anymore police/fire due to "attrition". Just walking into city clerks office and sure enough she is there.
7:24 Pm blogger: Well not completely my friend, this has been in the sights for some time now, but until now, I have let it alone!
But now that you bring it up, was this Job "put out for bids?" Was this job in the budget? Is this the "best use of funds" we can find?
Answer, NO! What in the name of all that is holy are they doing with "OUR" money anyway?
Unfortunately we seem to be in the hands of "tax and spend" liberals who think we are just a bunch of "rubes" who will go along with anything!
Call you Alderman ( I tried the Email route and got no response three times.)Tell him or her that this is "Bravo Sierra," and you want real leadership, not the phony mantra from this Board!
Tom Ford
"....the fact that the city administrator has hired himself a full time assitant. I believe this should be addressed before we have to loose anymore police/fire due to "attrition"."
I strongly agree with this. If this is really needed now, they need to eliminate animal control, and sappington house resident now. Why are they increasing the staff size now when they say they are out of money?
I believe that some in city hall are in a frame of mind that residents should serve the city, not the other way around.
Tom,
They were paid by the swim club.
Signed,
The Officer's wife
:)
1:12 PM blogger" Thank tou for the response. I also heard from Chief Mike today (he was on vacation) who told me the same thing.
Glad to see the officers in Crestwood getting some "overtime" they can spend for a change! :-)!
Tom Ford
Tom
Who authorized the use of police cars for the job? Are this officers off duty?
If they are off duty they should not park our cars in the middle of the street.
Let them use the cross walk that is a half block from the parkign lot.
Inconvenient? Tough. CRESTWOOD DOES NOT EXIST TO SERVE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
"They were paid by the swim club."
Did that include expense for the two cars?
What about the return trip after the swim? If so, what did they do during the swim...go home, and come back in?
As someone already mentioned, there are two crosswalks with traffic lights a half block in either direction. If ALL the city's expenses, and the officers overtime is paid, and they volunteer for it...GREAT! But I think it looks bad when we are cutting Police, and Fire positions, and we are patrolling the entire city with three units, and we see two serving as crossing guards.
John
The swim club is a private enterprise. Private enterprise does not use tax payers money (City PArking LOT, police vehicles etc) to provide an event from which the profit goes to the private enterprise.
How much did the swim club reimburse the city for the priviledge of using the city hall parking lot?
I want to see the contract that permitted the use of public equipment for private enterprise.
Can we ask for that information?
Anymouse 9:00pm,
First of all, I am not an expert, insider, or city employee. I am a citizen, resident of Crestwood, and my concern is my taxes, and will the Fire, and Police arrive quickly if I call (as they always have).
Regarding the pool (swim club) You can look on the county web site, and you will find it is owned by a real estate company. It is landlocked, and has no parking area. Since your property has to have access, there must be some agreement with the city regarding parking and access.
I seem to remember, back when Kohls was working with the city, and the city was planning a new police building, somehow the pool made a deal with the city about land, and parking, so there must be some arrangement in effect.
As far as I know, any citizen can go to city hall and make a FOI request, and they will provide the info. But, an easier way would be to call for an appointment with the City Administrator, or whoever you think might know, and they will probably explain it. I have talked to a number of people there, and they all seem friendly, and willing to answer questions.
Tom,
You know, since the city does not have a blog site, it would sure be nice if someone in the know in city government could post on here as "The ghost of John Sappington" or in some un-official capacity, so we could resolve some of these questions more easily.
12:07 Am: John, that would be a great idea! I will give them the space, and help (if they want it) to do just that!
Tom Ford
The City used to have a blog site that interacted with citizens, dept heads and aldermen. It was shut down shortly after Roy was elected the first time.
Go figure.
Do we have term limits for mayor?
3 terms I believe? ...at 3 years per term.
Between now and the end of Roy's 3rd term the City Charter can and most likely will be reviewed. Would anyone be surprised if a committee appointed by the mayor to review our charter, came up with a change to end the term limits for the mayor?
Bill No. 02-28/Ordinance 3753 was approved on 11/12/02. Aldermen Breeding, Labore, Fagan, Maddox, and Dewe voted to approve, alderman Trueblood cast a "no" vote and alderman Vincent abstained.
This ordinance represents the easement and license agreement the city made with Rosebrook Real Estate (the swim club owners). Contained in the agreement is the provision for a non-exclusive easement that allows swim club members to park on the portion of the parking lot that the city acquired from Rosebrook (the area closest to the swim club) for one dollar.
I, too am puzzled as to the need for the officers, since those attending the event had their choice of two crosswalks.
Martha Duchild
Dear 7:31
Roy's not going to have a 3rd term.
I am puzzled why Martha Duchild is posting on this blog when she could just ask her husband, the alderman, why their are Crestwood Policmen working as crossing guards. Maybe Martha could take it a step further and the polcment would tell her that NO ONE STOPs at those lights and that people barely stop for the policemen who are standing by their cars with the flashing lights. I am sure that Martha does not want to see a policeman, or a young child hit by one of the crazy drivers on Sappington.
I too am puzzled. If the Swim Club holds a private event, perhaps they can hire private security guards to help with crossing Sappington Road.
If it is true, according to the 2:32 blogger, "that NO ONE STOPs at those lights and that people barely stop for the policemen who are standing by their cars with the flashing lights", perhaps Crestwood Police can step up patrols/radar watch in this area - considering it's right IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
The blogger who mentioned that cars barely stop by the parking lot that accomodates the swim club is all the more reason that this private swim club which is used by many children and young adults should never have been placed where it is. Plus the fact that as a taxpayer I don't like sharing my city hall parking lot with private enterprise. Do they pay to repave it??? It was a bad decision and of course we all know that members of this club have historically been on the planning and zoning board and on the BOA since its enception. Clearly an unjustice to our community. Accomodating this private pool has changed the nature of the neighborhood where the homes have lost privacy and the noise is almost unbearable. All this is a known fact and thus has been a bone of contention in our otherwise pleasant community. Besides most members of from outlying suburbs, not Crestwood. This pool is not representative of our community, its people or its desire to be neighborly. There is simply no way to get around the fact that is is not a welcome enterprise and of course we all know how much THF paid them to relocate.
5:26PM blogger: Well that's about it in a nut shell isn't it.
I can't believe drivers do not stop for the lights on Sappington (unless they are in a hurry to get to the club,) nor do I believe they refuse to stop for a marked patrol car!
This private pool idea, as you stated was, and is a poorly located entity, and should never have been given a CUP to begin with. We all know who was on P&Z at the time, who recused themselves, and who did not. My question is why did the City attorney allow members of the pool who were also on the P&Z board to vote at all?
The official stand was there was no "conflict of interest" with dual membership as there was no profiting by the dual members.
Is it me, or when you move out of an appraised hole in the ground ($86,000.00) that was "blighted," to a $875,000.00 new pool, is that not an "up-tick in the value of your stock?
You tell me!
Tom Ford
Mr. Ford,
In reference to your comment about how you can't believe that people won't stop for a Police Officer in full Uniform or even for a well lit Patrol vehicle, well I suggest that you wear a DARK BLUE Uniform and wear it after dark on that stretch of Sappington (even with a marked, well lit patrol vehicle) and see if the drivers even pay attention to you.
And to the person that posted this:
If it is true, according to the 2:32 blogger, "that NO ONE STOPs at those lights and that people barely stop for the policemen who are standing by their cars with the flashing lights", perhaps Crestwood Police can step up patrols/radar watch in this area - considering it's right IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
4:21 PM, July 06, 2009
I wonder how many Crestwood Residents would be and have been stopped for said speeding on Sappington Rd.?
I wonder if the safety of the Officers wearing dark blue uniforms after dark is even a concern to anyone who has posted so far. Ah but you want that Officer there as soon as you call don't you?
How about those Officers out there working that extra job so that they can pay for the 63% increase in their poor insurance coverage?
7:12 PM blogger: Well I have never had to wear a "Dark Uniform" ever, unless you count the times I served as "Shore Patrol" in the Navy.
I have often wondered why this "uniform of the day" was adopted by Crestwood as it's got to be hot, and as you said, hard to see.
That said, I have seen offenders drive around uniformed police officers, only to be arrested a short way down the street!
Could it be we need more enforcement on Sappington Rd.? From what you say, it seems that the Police should do a "selective enforcement" check on Sappington Rd. That of course will irritate the locals who are used to doing whatever they wish.
What to do? I am for the enforcement, how about you?
Tom Ford
to:
How about those Officers out there working that extra job so that they can pay for the 63% increase in their poor insurance coverage?
I just want to remind you that the police department, from January 2007 - January 2008, received three significant pay raises.
Health insurance costs are a growing burden to employees and employers alike.
Government employess are not exempt from sharing in the pain of health care costs.
You cannot protect everyone from the dangers of the world.
Use the crossings as provided.
I wonder how many Crestwood Residents would be and have been stopped for said speeding on Sappington Rd.?
I would estimate a lot. What is surprising is that this "dangerous" area is in front of city hall. Not far for the officers to travel.
I wonder if the safety of the Officers wearing dark blue uniforms after dark is even a concern to anyone who has posted so far. Ah but you want that Officer there as soon as you call don't you?
I did not choose what the officers wear but I am concerned about their safety. Someone in their department, probably their supervisors chose their uniform. If the officers find fault with what they wear, they should bring it up to their supervisors. Yes, I would like fast response time. I got it when I lived in other jurisdictions too. I would also like my officers courteous and helpful.
How about those Officers out there working that extra job so that they can pay for the 63% increase in their poor insurance coverage?
What about those uninsured residents living in Crestwood? Seniors on Medicare? The laid off or unemployed? Once again, if the officers don't like their benefit package, they need to speak up or find other employment.
"I wonder if the safety of the Officers wearing dark blue uniforms after dark is even a concern to anyone who has posted so far. Ah but you want that Officer there as soon as you call don't you?
How about those Officers out there working that extra job so that they can pay for the 63% increase in their poor insurance coverage?"
I have the greatest respect for our Police, and Fire Fighters!
They all deserve to have the best equipment possible. The Police seem to have relatively new cars, weapons, radios, dispatch equipment, and other tools of the trade. If there is something lacking, it should be made public, and maybe something can be done to remedy the problem.
I don't know who picks the uniform, but if it is a safety problem, something should be done to change it. But I don't know what to do about that.
And yes, if I call for the Police IN AN EMERGENCY (if it is not urgent, I will call the regular number) I would hope they would get here quickly, as they have the few times I have needed help. Isn't that why we have emergency services?
As for the insurance, I am retired, and have the same insurance company (the only one available) for my family, and it is the second largest expense after my house payment. I am not thrilled with the cost, but it is something you HAVE to have.
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