By Abigail Roberts
April was another busy month for Stanford Police, Fire and Code Enforcement.
The Stanford Police Department (SPD) reported a total of 652 contacts made through 911 for the month of April.
SPD Officers wrote 338 citations and made 48 arrests. Of those arrests, 14 were on charges including drug possession, DUI related offenses, disorderly conduct, domestic violence assault, traffic related incidents and multiple outstanding warrant services.
There were 17 incidents/cases opened in April including thefts, assaults, domestic, drug-related and other criminal activity requiring further investigation than a typical call for service.
A total of 50 citations were written in April with 76 charges.
SPD Officers responded to 18 traffic collisions, 6 of which were injury-involved collisions.
Police Chief Zach Middleton said officers conducted 110 traffic stops.
Middleton said Officer Jay Eldridge has been appointed as the new detective to fill the full-time detective position. Captain Jeremy Garrison has announced his retirement, which will take effect June 1.
Middleton also updated council members on a police cruiser that was involved in a collision last month.
“Officer Williams was involved in a collision where the other party disregarded a traffic control device,” Middleton said. “The police vehicle (2021 Dodge Durango) was considered a total loss. A used 2023 Ford Explorer (fully equipped) was purchased to replace the loss and insurance is taking care of the rest.”
OFFICER SPOTLIGHT:
Below are the top 3 officers in their respective categories for April:
Total activity – 1. P. Middleton; 2. C. Marcum; 3. J. Williams
Total reports – 1. J. Eldridge; 2. J. Mayfield; 3. M. Southerland/J. Milburn
Enforcement – 1. C. Marcum; 2. J. Milburn; 3. K. Phipps
The Stanford Fire Department (SFD) responded to 72 calls for service in the month of April.
SFD responded to the following incidents:
• Abdominal pain – 2
• Assault – 1
• Bomb threat/bomb response/suspicious package – 1
• Breathing problems – 6
• Cancelled – 3
• Cardiac Arrest – 1
• Chest pain (non-trauma) – 1
• Citizen assist/service call – 15
• Controlled burning (authorized) – 8
• Convulsions/seizures – 3
• Diabetic problems – 1
• Fall – 4
• Hazardous Material Release (Motor vehicle collision) – 1
• Heart problems – 1
• Law enforcement – 1
• Malfunctioning alarm – 1
• Motor vehicle collision – 7
• No incident found upon arrival/location error – 2
• Odor – 1
• Other traumatic injury – 1
• Overdose/poisoning – 1
• Psychological behavior issues – 1
• Sick case – 4
• Stoke/CVA – 1
• Unconscious victim – 2
• Vegetation/grass fire – 1
• Vehicle fire-passenger – 1
SFD Chief Scott Maples told City Council members the department was awarded a new AED from Emphraim McDowell Healthcare Foundation, which is now in service.
“This equipment will strengthen our cardiac arrest response capabilities,” Maples said.
Maples said fire prevention efforts remain strong with 18 fire code compliance inspections completed in April.
“As warmer weather has arrived, we have seen accidents with injuries begin to increase, particularly motor vehicle accidents with entrapment,” Maples said. “Our crews remain prepared and proactive in both emergency response and public education to help reduce these incidents.”
SFD was notified that the department is scheduled for an ISO (Insurance Service Organization) review on July 15.
“This rating determines insurance premium costs for the citizens and business owners of Stanford,” Maples said. “Preparing for this inspection/audit will require many hours from the department on data collection and field work.”
Code Enforcement violations are up, according to the monthly report for April.
Stanford Code Enforcement reported 14 violations and gave 45 verbal warnings in April.
There were two citations reported. Code Enforcement reported 4 building permits were granted, as well as 1 sign permit and 1 porch/deck permit.
A total of 51 business license applications were issued or renewed in April. A total of 14 alcoholic beverage license applications were verified.
