Schertzer: Crime rate down, fire department calls increased in 2021

Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer provided an overview of accomplishments and issues the city's police and fire departments faced in 2021 during the annual state of the city address on Monday evening.

One of the major points Schertzer noted in his address is that the crime rate in Marion has continued to decline over the past several years and that the Marion Police Department has stepped up its community outreach activities.

"After just over a year as the chief of police, I'm honored to work and serve with (Chief Jay McDonald)," Schertzer said. "He has filled the shoes of his predecessors nicely and has carved out his own independent niche as the chief of police of the City of Marion. He can now boast one of the lowest crime rates in five years. He can also boast that we continue to reach out to the public through the MPACT (Marion Police and Community Together) program. These are the kinds of things that make our community strong."

According to the police department's annual report, from 2015 to 2021, aggravated burglaries and burglaries decreased by 80%, dropping from 464 cases in 2015 to 93 cases in 2021. Breaking and entering cases have decreased by 85%, from 325 in 2015 to 50 in 2021. Theft has decreased by 49%, according to police department statistics, from 957 cases in 2015 to 486 cases in 2021.

The number of assault cases dropped from 255 in 2015 to 126 in 2021. Aggravated assault and felonious assault cases declined from 46 in 2015 to 27 in 2021. 

Domestic violence statistics remained relatively steady from 2015 to 2021. There were 314 cases reported in 2015 and 2021 ended with 358 cases reported to Marion Police. The low figure for that time period was 293 cases reported in 2019.

The police department's annual report noted that "Fatal drug overdoses continue to be a major issue for our community." According to the report, at the time of its publication, 34 fatal drug overdoses were reported in 2021 in Marion County. The report also noted that figure could increase pending the outcome of "numerous autopsies" that are still in progress.

As for community outreach efforts in 2021, the MPACT program continued despite limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MPD initiated a new program called #BooksAndBadges, which is operated in conjunction with the Starfish Assignment, a charity that works with law enforcement agencies to assist outreach projects.

MPD also completed three TAPS (Teens and Police Service) Academies for at-risk teens at Grant Middle School. The goal of TAPS Academies "is to build relationships with these teens and provide mentorship to kids who may be at risk of falling through the cracks," according to the department's annual report.

The department also expanded the use of body cameras to include School Resource Officers, Special Response Team members, and investigations. In-car cameras were added to all three new cruisers that were acquired in 2021.

Schertzer pointed out that the Marion City Fire Department is fully staffed for the first time in Chief Chuck Deem's tenure, which began in May 2017. According to the department's annual report, there are currently 63 uniformed personnel. 

In 2021, three members of the Marion City Fire Department retired and one resigned. The department hired seven new firefighters to offset the personnel lost.

The Marion City Fire Department responded to 7,981 calls for service in 2021, which was an increase of 196 calls over 2020. Fifty-six of those calls were to working structure fires that amounted to an estimated loss of property totaling $782,785. Fortunately, no civilian lives were lost in those fires. The department also responded to 17 vehicle fires that resulted in an estimated loss of property totaling  $48,250. 

In addition to the call count increasing, the department also faced a second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Schertzer said.

"While Chief Deem has had to deal with COVID issues, just like all of our departments, he put the safety of our citizens and our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics first in servicing our citizens," Schertzer said. "The call numbers continue to rise for both of these departments. We don't hear 'we want less government,' but we always get people asking us, 'we want more government.' Almost on a daily if not weekly basis we hear that from the constituents that we represent."

Schertzer also noted that the fire department is now in need of a new pumper truck since one was recently retired from service.

"Chief Deem also has to deal with an aging rolling stock (vehicles)," Schertzer said. "We will be coming to council very soon and asking for financing of a new pumper truck. The chief and I are working with Auditor (Miranda) Meginness on how to present this to council and how to finance this. Unfortunately, a pumper truck was taken out of service recently, so this is of paramount importance to get this pumper truck replaced."

Schertzer also noted that he wants to begin serious discussions about replacing the aged main fire house (Station 1) located at 186 S, Prospect St. It was built in 1912.

"I think it's time that we start talking seriously about replacing a 100-year-old-plus fire house," Schertzer said. "The taxpayers of this community have gotten their money's worth on that investment decades ago. It is time to bring the Marion City Fire Department and the facility that we house them in into the 21st century and not the turn of the 20th century."

The other two fire houses in Marion are each at least 37 years old. Station 2, located at 1069 Bellefontaine Ave., was built in 1976. Station 3, located at 599 Jefferson St., was built in 1984.

To view the complete 2021 annual report for the City of Marion, go to the city's website marionohio.us.