Greenwood PD called to WRT meeting – update
If you have visited us before you would have to say that I am far from a “casual observer” of these meetings. At Thursday’s meeting this “regular attender” (or obsessed citizen if you believe my wife and family) apparently missed something. Early on in the meeting I noticed a sheriff’s deputy standing, and later sitting in the back of the auditorium at Center Grove High School. I figured “Public meeting in a high school cops need to be present and I am sure there are more across the hall at the basketball game than there are in here.” Later I noticed a Greenwood police officer, then several officers, at the back of the auditorium. I assumed “Shift change, they live in White River Township and decided to drop by on their way home.” Then when Mark Messick finishes his comments someone shouts “Will the police be at the polls when we vote in May too?” I assume again that someone is simply over-reacting. Watch the video below.
But I am apparently wrong. Township Trustee Jay Marks told us today that he had a number of calls from White River Township residents about the number, I’d estimate six, Greenwood police officers at the meeting. It appears that Greenwood Common Council member Linda Gibson, whose name will now use since we have confirmed it, left the auditorium called Greenwood Police Chief Joe Pitcher concerned about board member Mark Messick’s reaction to the tough questions since Mr. Messick had recent heart issues along with concern about the crowd getting out of control.
I find it amazing that someone in command would make such poor decision as to send Greenwood officers into Center Grove School in White River Township during a White River Township pubic hearing on a merger with Greenwood. If the idea was to demonstrate the “quick response” the Greenwood PD can provide, the sheriff already had a deputy there who could have easily called for backup if need. I have never had to wait more than five minutes for a sheriff deputy to respond in the 17 years I have lived here. No matter the reason it is definitely one more nail in the coffin of the reorganization effort..
In case you are wondering, from now on I assume nothing and urge you to do the same. I appreciate the board giving us the vote because we can, and will consider everything from incorporation to working with Bargersville. Assume nothing, learn it all.. Because we all know what happens when you “assume” something. If you do not know watch this video clip from “The Odd Couple”.
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4 Responses to “Greenwood PD called to WRT meeting – update”
See the story in the Daily Journal to understand more. If Ms. Gibson wanted to do more to kill the merger, this was it. Even the county sheriff was indignant about this response. I have a great idea — next time we meet at the Greenwood City Council, lets call the State Police and see how well that lands. Whether Ms. Gibson was overreacting, the move had ALL the wrong appearances — appears heavy handed, antagonistic, arrogant, and presumed that a large crowd in WRT must be ill-behaved. Also reinforced the notion that this process is being pushed on the citizenry.
Chief Pitcher should enjoy a few days unpaid leave as a result of this fiasco. I don’t often say much positive about Sheriff McLaughlin, but in this case, he has every right and every reason to be furious. The implication is that JCS couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to handle this meeting.
To the Greenwood City Council and Mayor Henderson: Thanks for the sneak peek at what to expect if this reorganization is approved. Also thanks for the heads-up that we need to watch our polling places in May.
For those who will claim I’m overreacting, you may be correct. But then again, we now know what the proponents are capable of doing in their own cause.
Comment made on December 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pmBefore you publish, you should probably get all the facts first. 1) The Johnson Country RESERVE Sheriff Deputy was off-duty and contracted through a third party security company for the CG Basketball game, his being there was for his own entertainment. 2) Yes, the Greenwood Police Department was called for not crowd-control, but the safety of the WRT Board. 3) The 5/6 Greenwood Police Officers were in the last 10 minutes of their shift (Shift Change), where 1 Officer was going into his shift. and 4) 3/6 Officers live in White River Township, with 2/3 having children that attend Center Grove Schools.
So before you go and beat up on the Greenwood Police, I would check to make sure YOU the writer has correct information before publishing it to the local community.
Comment made on December 28th, 2009 at 2:34 pmI have to agree with Mr. Veldkamp and Mr. Murphy. Let’s make sure we focus on what is important here, yet not overreact prematurely.
The point here is not whether or not the JCS Reserve Deputy was on duty or not, or whether he was paid by the Center Grove Schools for that event or any another. T
The point is not whether the Greenwood Police officers were on duty, off duty or in the middle of a shift change, or live in the township.
The point here is that, if in fact, a Greenwood Common Council member made such a call to the Chief of the Greenwood Police Department, she should have had the tact and wherewithal to understand the political sensitivity of this gathering, and consider the implications to those already concerned, rightly or wrongly, that this merger is being forced upon them, before the call was made.
Secondly, If in fact this call was made, I am very concerned that no one in command at the Greenwood Police Department, especially if the call were made to the Chief of Police, would recognize or act upon the knowledge that these officers were several miles outside of the jurisdiction, and had no right to be here in any official capacity. a simple call to the sheriff Department would seem to have resolved any problem.
If they were there as fellow citizens, wishing to learn more about the issues and how it would affect them and their community, I welcome them with open arms.
If they were there prior to the call being made and simply offered their assistance I have no pproblem.
If they were there to act as crowd control, or if they were there responding to a concern for the safety or health of a participant in the meeting, when it is clearly the responsibility and the right of the Sheriff Department to respond within their jurisdiction, I have grave concerns for the future of my township under the leadership of the Greenwood Common Council and Greenwood Police Department.
Let us all hope that is not what transpired.
Comment made on January 5th, 2010 at 1:52 pmI feel sorry for the officers and dispatchers that were used as a political pawns on this day. Procedure was not followed and the right questions were not asked. Orders were given and carried out by threat of job loss. The folks on duty knew what they were doing was not right, but at the same time, they get to use the chief as a scapegoat if they just do their jobs and leave.
The whole shift change issue is completely irrelevant. Generally, departments do not respond to calls for service inside each other’s areas without notification, as it is proper, polite, and protocol. Let alone to send five cars.
Had I been working dispatch that day, it would have been the last call I dispatched before quitting. What a waste of taxpayer dollars and risk to the public.
Comment made on January 22nd, 2010 at 12:52 amLeave a Comment