Property crime down in Fremont, police chief says
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on October 22, 2014 1:46 PM
esmith@newsargus.com
FREMONT -- Fremont has seen a drop in crime over the past two years, the town's police chief told the Town Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night.
"I feel good about the overall shape of the department and crime in Fremont overall," Police Chief Paul Moats said. "I think we've opened that trust barrier that was so badly broken when I got here four years ago, and we've had a 67 percent decrease in property crimes over the past two years."
Moats discussed several drug arrests made recently and said his officers are working to curb the drug problem in the town.
Moats also reassured resident Beatrice Jones that the police would take care of a problem she has with a neighbor's pitbull.
Ms. Jones told the board that a neighbor on her street is letting his dogs run loose and despite his promises that the animal is not dangerous, she is still afraid.
"I've talked to the owner of the dogs several times myself and he says the dogs are harmless even when they are on the loose," Ms. Jones said. "But they have signs up all over their yard saying 'Beware of Dog' and 'No Trespassing.'"
Moats said the town has an ordinance requiring that dogs be tethered to a leash, and that the police department would handle the matter with the neighbor.
In other business, the board decided to contract the state Department of Transportation to mow the ditch from Vance Street to the tree line at the back of Elmwood Cemetery. The job will cost $5,495.04 and will take three days.
Town administrator Barbara Aycock provided a first quarter financial update for the fiscal year. Fremont's books were just audited, and Ms. Aycock said it was the first time in seven years that the town has a positive cash flow.