Jasper police concentrating on drug interdiction activities

The Jasper Police Department temporarily assigned Patrolman Logan Jones to focus exclusively on drug issues in the community, resulting in significant enforcement activity during August that included 10 arrests and the processing of a mushroom drug lab.

The Jasper Board of Public Works and Safety was informed of the initiative by Chief Chad Dick during the regular meeting held on Tuesday morning.

Chief Dick reported that Jones’ efforts had led to the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana, and a hundred THC vapes containing at least 86.6% THC, along with three and a half pounds of mushrooms, multiple drug syringes, and firearms.

Chief Dick told the board that the 100 vapes containing elevated levels of THC were especially problematic.

“THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana and these vapes are becoming an issue,” said Chief Dick. “If you think back the 70s and 80s, the THC content in marijuana was between 1 and 3 percent. These vapes are 86.6%.”

He added that some were even higher.

High THC concentrations lead to psychotic disorders, anxiety, depression, and paranoia. He noted that marijuana has evolved from being known as a gateway drug to other substances into a gateway drug for mental health disorders.

Jones demonstrated his dedication during one investigation when he worked 23 hours straight as drug information continued to develop, according to Dick.

“That’s proactive policing at its best,” Chief Dick said. “I think him having the ability, us affording him the ability to work on the prevalent issues and being able to proactively chase them down. My goal is that we’re able to have the resources to do a lot more of that in the future.”

The police department’s overall August activity included responding to 1,559 calls for service, working 42 property damage crashes and two personal injury crashes. Officers issued a combined total of 479 traffic tickets and warnings while making 49 total arrests for various offenses, including intoxicated driving, theft, battery, domestic battery, suspended driving, outstanding warrants, and drug violations.

School resource officers have been active since the start of the school year, documenting 15 stop arm violations, six student behavior issues, 24 presentations, and 13 safety meetings and drills. They visited 11 student homes, made one arrest, conducted two searches of student property, handled one drug and alcohol offense, and responded to seven crashes on school property.

The detective division conducted seven interviews, made one arrest, served three subpoenas, and executed four search warrants, and initiated eight new investigations. They received five new cyber tips in August.

“Unfortunately, that brings up the total of 28 cyber tips that are currently backloged in our system as our guys are busy with other investigations,” Chief Dick stated. “Hopefully, we will get some time here to start chipping away at those because those often deal with child pornography.”

Detectives have also initiated 10 background investigations for police officer applicants as the department works to fill its 26th officer position. Sixteen people participated in physical and aptitude testing on Aug. 23, with 10 candidates advancing to the background investigation phase.

The department implemented geocall routing on Sept. 2, establishing a geofence around Jasper’s city limits that routes all 911 calls made within the boundary to the Jasper dispatch center first, rather than the county dispatch center.

“While we work hand in hand with them, we feel that this is a more streamlined process for calls that are dispatched inside the city of Jasper,” Chief Dick said.

In other city business, the board approved sending two dispatchers to the Indiana 911 Professionals Conference in Noblesville from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2. The $1,240 cost covers conference fees, hotel accommodations, and meals for Megan Dodd and Elizabeth Evans.

“Our dispatchers do so much for our community,” Chief Dick said. “Their job is one of very high importance to both us and those that have an emergency. They’re the calm in the storm, the first line of defense, giving life saving advice all while ensuring that we have the information that we need to respond swiftly, accurately and prepared for what we’re going to encounter.”

The board also heard or took the following actions at the meeting.

The board also approved the ninth annual Touch a Truck event scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Schroeder Sports Complex. Organizers plan a quiet time period from 9:30 to 10 a.m. for families with children who have sensory sensitivities to loud noises.

Street Superintendent Jeff Theising provided a public service announcement about traffic patterns on Mill Street between Third and Sixth streets. The street now operates as one lane of traffic after the city allowed parking on both sides, similar to the configuration on Jackson Street between the same intersections.

He also reminded the board of the auction being held at the street department this weekend, highlighting that the police department’s Humvee will be one of the items, among others, available for bidding. “If you even wanted a Hummer, this would be a great opportunity to get one,” Theising told the board.

The board approved several contracts, including a three-year renewal of the city’s Cisco Meraki firewall system for $2,127.50, with costs split between the city and utilities. They also awarded the annual Geo Melt 55 winter road treatment contract to Bustler Enterprises of Evansville at $2.70 per gallon delivered, and approved a $4,440 fertilizer application contract for 60 acres at the landfill to Nutrien of Jasper.

Community Development and Planning Director Josh Gunselman reported 13 building permits were filed in August, with five creating residential units and eight for other projects, including garages and additions. The total construction value exceeded $10 million, including the first two residential units for the Northridge Estates project.

The board accepted a $3,000 donation for the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department from the proceeds of the recent Honor and Remember Run/Ruck held at Cool Springs and sponsored by OFS.

Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang reminded the board of the prescribed burn planned for The Parklands on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.