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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- After losing police officers this year who left for positions with other departments, Warren Township officials have been able to once again fill the ranks, hiring three full-time police officers and one part-time officer.
Township trustees at their recent meeting promoted Brian Lee Dobbins, Erich Setele and Travis Sheese to full-time patrolman, and hired Caleb Roth as a part-time patrolman.
All are effective Dec. 9.
The three full-time officers will be paid $27 per hour, the starting rate for a patrolman.
Ross will be paid $15 per hour, with plans to increase that to $16.50 in 2024, officials said.
Trustee Ed Anthony said it has become a challenge for communities to find police officers. He said the department lost two officers to Warren city and another officer retired this year.
"We are fortunate the ones we interviewed and hired are very enthusiastic and bring experience with them. We are glad to be able to bring the number of officers up again in the police department," Anthony said.
In addition to the new hires, Anthony said plans are to get another full-time officer in 2024.
The department now has police Chief Ben Harrell and seven full-time officers.
Anthony said with the three promotions, there will be greater availability for the police to watch the LaBrae school zone off North Leavitt Road.
Residents have complained to trustees that vehicles are speeding in the school zone, including vehicles and buses going in and out of school property.
Residents said there is also speeding on South Leavitt Road and asked if a sign can be posted that lets people know how fast their vehicles are going above the posted 25 mph.
Harrell said he will see if he can get a radar speed sign.
ROAD PROJECT
In other business, trustees approved paying their share of $112,538 for the $465,000 Hewitt Gifford Road improvement project, which is in Lordstown Village and Warren Township.
Officials said Lordstown also will pay $112,538, with the remaining cost covered by Ohio Public Work Commission funds.
Anthony said work will be done in 2024.
In other business, trustees:
• Announced the Santa Claus is Coming to Town event will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the community center, 800 Gillmer Road.
• Reported they will be looking at candidates for the new zoning inspector.
• Heard from fire Chief Joseph Natali regarding applying for state grant money for MARCS radios and pagers for the staff. He said the department had 82% coverage of the shifts with fire staff. There were 25 mutual aid calls in October.
• Heard from Natali the department received active shooter ballistic vests with helmets coming next.