Police bicycle, canine and undercover units are currently heavily patrolling Central Park to reduce criminal activity in and around the premises, a report by Warsaw Police Lieutenant Kip Shuter said.

Shuter's detailed briefing of how park problems were being addressed was presented to the Board of Public Works and Safety Friday by WPD Captain Perry Hunter.

In an effort to create a safer atmosphere for city residents, Hunter said the department was utilizing the Winona Lake Police K-9 unit to identify possible drug trafficking in the area. Other suspicious activity could be identified by the bicycle patrol, undercover officers or patrolmen working overtime hours inside the park, Hunter said.

Currently Warsaw's canine units are in the process of being trained for police work, and will be sent on patrol as soon as they are ready.

"We are taking this matter very seriously, and we're doing everything we can to make this a safer environment for the citizens of Warsaw," Hunter said.

Shuter's report said numerous arrests could be made in the coming months, and police are currently hoping to cooperate with surrounding businesses to keep "problem suspects" away from the grounds.

Infractions such as littering and noise pollution also will be addressed by officers in the area, who have been given a list of city ordinance violations related to Central Park activity.

"Spare no effort in this matter," BOW member Charlie Smith said. Smith strongly supported the increase in Central Park patrols during a BOW meeting June 2.

In other matters, the board approved easement agreements with varying businesses and individuals for the Lake City Greenway project.

The greenway, a recreational trail planned to encompass the surrounding Warsaw and Winona Lake area, is still in the initial stages of planning/construction for many of its trail sections.

Easement agreements were approved for the Chinworth Trail area of the project, and a grant application to the NiSource Charitable Foundation also approved Friday will be used for the construction of the Beyer Farm Trail, a section which links Pike Lake to the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus.

In issues regarding the Warsaw Fire Department, a Firefighter Stand Down event will take place Wednesday to focus on firefighting safety and prevention of injuries in the line of duty.

WPD officers stressed the program will not inhibit its ability to respond to emergency situations, and the department will be operating at normal capacity while the event takes place.

The board also:

• Approved a $116,375.94 wastewater treatment utility contract for sanitary sewer improvements on Fairlane Drive. Everest Excavating will be performing the construction of the project.

• Approved recycling disposal and salt contracts for the Street Department. Waste Management was granted a $9,700 monthly contract for the collection and proper disposal of recyclable materials for city residents. Morton Salt's contract for $46.59 per ton of salt also was awarded.

• Approved a $3,000 contract with ESRI, of Redlands, Calif.; for the maintenance of the Planning Department's geographical imaging system.

• Approved a contract with the Warsaw Community Development Corporation for the facade improvement grant program. The approval grants $25,000 to be used to enhance the outside layout of many downtown establishments.

• Approved an additional contract with WCDC for the purchase of American flags for the downtown area. The contract totalled $300.

BOW members present for Friday's meeting were Smith and Mayor Ernie Wiggins. Jerry Patterson was absent. [[In-content Ad]]