Winona Cops Adjusting Protocol On Stops
March 17, 2020 at 11:57 p.m.
By Amanda Bridgman-
During the Tuesday Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Hawn said his department, upon speaking with other police agency department heads, have been told not to take IDs from people if they don’t have to when pulling drivers over. For example, Hawn said, if the police pull over a vehicle, they run that vehicle’s license plate, which brings back who the vehicle is registered to, along with that registered owner’s information, including their BMV photo. Police are able to see all of that information on their in-car computers, along with any active warrants or other relevant history related to the registered owner. Hawn said police will be able to identify if the driver is the registered owner to the vehicle, then police wouldn’t take their license. This is all to help prevent the spread of germs, Hawn said.
With all of the closings taking place in Indiana and locally, Hawn said he’s not sure what that will mean for crime. He does predict an uptick in domestic disturbances, but it remains to be seen what will happen when people are being forced to mostly stay home.
Another change in Winona Lake is the closing of the park. Town Manager Craig Allebach announced Tuesday afternoon that the parks would be closed to the public beginning today until further notice. For those who seem confused as to what that means, it means you can’t go swing on a swing or go down a slide. Allebach said after much consideration Tuesday, the town decided to close the park to prevent the spread of germs.
The town will still continue to clean, sanitize and maintain the park, he said, and they won’t be putting up any signs saying keep out.
Town attorney Adam Turner said consequences for violating an order such as this could potentially result in civil penalties in the courts.
Also Tuesday, the council:
• Agreed to purchase new equipment for WLPD’s interview room. Hawn said the current equipment has crashed, but that Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton agreed to pay for half of the new iRecord system. The cost to the town is $6,019.50.
• Heard that the Earth Day 5K and 10K at Green Earth Multisport set for 9 a.m. April 19 has been cancelled because it is an event where more than 50 people would gather. No new date was announced.
• Approved an ordinance to vacate the alley between 911 and 1007 Sunday Lane, and an ordinance to vacate the south end of Park Avenue at the curve where the road turns in to Lakeshore Drive. Steve Snyder, attorney with Snyder Morgan Federoff & Kuchmay LLP, spoke to the council and said both areas being discussed are not on the town’s tax rolls but are listed as public rights of way.
• Heard from town engineer Aaron Carl that additional parking has been put in place on Park Avenue by The Village At Winona and that he’s working on getting pickleball courts put in at the park, along with more walkways.
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During the Tuesday Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Hawn said his department, upon speaking with other police agency department heads, have been told not to take IDs from people if they don’t have to when pulling drivers over. For example, Hawn said, if the police pull over a vehicle, they run that vehicle’s license plate, which brings back who the vehicle is registered to, along with that registered owner’s information, including their BMV photo. Police are able to see all of that information on their in-car computers, along with any active warrants or other relevant history related to the registered owner. Hawn said police will be able to identify if the driver is the registered owner to the vehicle, then police wouldn’t take their license. This is all to help prevent the spread of germs, Hawn said.
With all of the closings taking place in Indiana and locally, Hawn said he’s not sure what that will mean for crime. He does predict an uptick in domestic disturbances, but it remains to be seen what will happen when people are being forced to mostly stay home.
Another change in Winona Lake is the closing of the park. Town Manager Craig Allebach announced Tuesday afternoon that the parks would be closed to the public beginning today until further notice. For those who seem confused as to what that means, it means you can’t go swing on a swing or go down a slide. Allebach said after much consideration Tuesday, the town decided to close the park to prevent the spread of germs.
The town will still continue to clean, sanitize and maintain the park, he said, and they won’t be putting up any signs saying keep out.
Town attorney Adam Turner said consequences for violating an order such as this could potentially result in civil penalties in the courts.
Also Tuesday, the council:
• Agreed to purchase new equipment for WLPD’s interview room. Hawn said the current equipment has crashed, but that Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton agreed to pay for half of the new iRecord system. The cost to the town is $6,019.50.
• Heard that the Earth Day 5K and 10K at Green Earth Multisport set for 9 a.m. April 19 has been cancelled because it is an event where more than 50 people would gather. No new date was announced.
• Approved an ordinance to vacate the alley between 911 and 1007 Sunday Lane, and an ordinance to vacate the south end of Park Avenue at the curve where the road turns in to Lakeshore Drive. Steve Snyder, attorney with Snyder Morgan Federoff & Kuchmay LLP, spoke to the council and said both areas being discussed are not on the town’s tax rolls but are listed as public rights of way.
• Heard from town engineer Aaron Carl that additional parking has been put in place on Park Avenue by The Village At Winona and that he’s working on getting pickleball courts put in at the park, along with more walkways.
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