Security Cameras in Bexley (Originally broadcast September 17, 2009).

Camera #1
Does Bexley need more video cameras as a deterrent to petty property theft?

In a recent broadcast interview with Bexley police chief Larry Rinehart, Bexley Public Radio senior correspondent John Matuszak asked about property theft in Bexley. The chief reported that during calendar year 2008, there were more than six hundred property thefts in Bexley. In the Monday morning Dispatch newspaper, the chief is quoted as describing Bexley as "a city in peril" because of this property crime.

A two hundred dollar bicycle stolen from a Bexley garage isn't a peril for the city but the editorial collective understands the chief's point.

Six hundred thefts, mostly petty thefts, is a large number for sure but not significantly different from the property crime frequencies in Dublin, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington.

For sure, the dollar value of stolen Bexley property is greater than these other suburbs because, well, it's a matter of quality and taste.

Sperling’s Best Places publishes crime rates in American cities on a scale of one (low) to ten. Dublin, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington are rated at eight and Bexley alone is rated at nine. Still all of these communities including Bexley are in the same fourth statistical quartile.

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If the average theft involves stolen property valued at $500, there is an economic impact of $300,000 each year on Bexley residents. If the average is $2,000, then the impact is $1.2 million. If damage to door frames and windows averages $1,100, there is an additional $660,000 in economic loss to residents in the community.

Those dollar amounts help to set a range for how much money might be spent prudently to respond to the problem of property theft.

Equipment needs might be eighteen network digital recorders (at $900 each), one thousand infra-red digital night video cameras ($700 each), connecting cables for each camera and installation ($350 each) for a total of $1,066,800. Operations, staffing and repairs will add another $180,000 each year. AEP, Verizon and AT&T will want some compensation when the best camera location is on a utility pole.

Bexley police chief Larry Rinehart is promoting the formation of neighborhood block-watch teams in response to the number of property crimes suffered by Bexley residents.

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The Bexley Public Radio editorial collective wonders whether neighborhood block-watch volunteers can be assisted by video cameras.

Currently, video cameras are used in some Bexley retail stores, banks and residences. Should video cameras be installed in all commercial locations in Bexley? Should video cameras be required at all residences?

Should the city install cameras in all of the alleys and along all of the streets?

How should installation be prioritized? Does the Bexley police department analyze property theft by location? Does the police department know which neighborhoods have the highest frequency of property theft? Should frequency of theft be used to prioritize installation?

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Does the police department know how many businesses and residences use video cameras? Does the police department have a map of Bexley that shows what views are currently recorded. Banks, CVS and carry-out convenience sores obviously use video cameras currently.

Should Bexley adopt saturation coverage by digital video cameras as part of its response to unacceptable levels of property theft?

Do Bexley residents really want video cameras recording vehicular and pedestrian movement in the neighborhoods? What happens to privacy in our neighborhoods? Is this too much a Big Brother proposal?

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Who should own the cameras, computers and discs recording digital data? Should the city own them?. Should the property insurers that carry the property risks in Bexley own the equipment? Should a Bexley property owner cooperative be formed to own the equipment? Should ownership be on a block by block basis?

Installing video cameras everywhere in Bexley sounds like a good stimulus public infra-structure program.

Listener thoughts are welcome. Email to wcrxlp@yahoo.com.

Contribute to Bexley Public Radio now!!!

This WCRX-LP editorial collective comment was first published February 15, 2009.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Camera #6
Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Editorial collective.

Police Chief Rinehart: Summer Safety. Letter to the Editor

Summer is finally in full swing. Graduation parties are winding down, the kids are out of school, the pool is in full swing, and we are all looking forward to another great July 4 (July 5 in this case) celebration here in Bexley.

As I was out on my bike this morning patrolling the city, it occurred to me that this is the right time to provide a few key tips for a safe, happy, and citation free summer in our great city:

1. Slow down and obey the speed limit signs. Speeding citations cost money and put points on your driving record.
2. Come to a complete stop at stop signs. Hard to believe, but a few of our drivers struggle with this.
3. Lock your car and put your valuables out of sight. Car break-ins are already increasing and the vast majority of the time the car was unlocked and valuables were laying out in plain sight.
4. Resist the urge to drive to your local fireworks store in preparation of Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks are dangerous and illegal.
5. Protect your identity. Only purchase online items via secure sites and do not allow financial and personnel information to linger in your mailbox. Identity theft is on the rise.
5. Become a member of or start a blockwatch in your neighborhood. Neighborhood watch groups work and strengthen our community.
6. Be vigilant. If someone behaves suspiciously, call the police department: 559-4444. Error on the side of caution and let the police sort it out. We have a lot of traffic through our city. A small percentage of that traffic is up to no good.

That's it. if we all work together our community will be a harder target for criminals, our streets will be safer, and you are much more likely to have a great, enjoyable, peaceful Summer. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you at the parade. Larry Rinehart

Chief Rinehart and "Ride Bexley Ride."

Bexley Police Chief Larry Rinehart announced the third annual "Ride, Bexley, Ride" scheduled for Saturday May 22, 2010.

"Ride Bexley Ride" is the police chief's family bicycle ride and walk against domestic violence. The event starts at 9 am at the magnificent Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley with stops at the Governor's Mansion and OSU President Gordon Gee's home.

The entry fee is $25 per individual and $50 per family with all proceeds going directly to CHOICES.

Sponsors are also needed for the ride. For more information and to sign up or make a donation please go to WWW.CHOICESColumbus.org.

Chief Rinehart said "I am an active advocate against domestic violence and have been since May 12, 2001. In that time I have had the opportunity to speak to more groups of people than I can remember; large and small groups, adults and students, and all types of civic, social, and church groups.

"I have given my presentations to literally thousands of people all over this state. In the course of talking with people before and after my presentations I have come to realize several things that you will not find in the national and local statistics about domestic violence. First, I truly believe that at least 50% of every women in our society will be the victim of physical or emotional violence by the time she is an adult. Either in high school, college, or some dating relationship, at least one half of all women become victims of some form of violence, almost always at the hand of a man.

"Most women recover, get away, get on with their lives and often times forget about it.

"Many do not survive or ever forget it.

"The second thing I have learned is that most men believe it is a women's problem, especially men who have never lived in a violent home, have never experienced relationship violence, and have never been violent to their partner.

"Men simply see it as a women's issue and they could not be more wrong. The vast majority of the time when there is violence in a relationship it is the man who is dishing it out. That is an undisputed fact.

"Men are not only responsible for their own behavior, but men need to accept the responsibility of mentoring the young men in their lives. Us men need to mentor and teach our sons, grandsons, nephews and any other young man who looks up to us that violence against women is not acceptable.

"We need to teach the young men in our lives how to properly deal with emotion and relationships. Until we men step up and have the hard talks with our young men, the plague of domestic violence in our society will continue as it has for far too many generations.

"For the man who replies to this with, "hey, I don't have violence in my house and I have never been violent in my relationships with others," I say, that is not enough. We must mentor our young men. We owe it to our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, sisters, and to all the women in our lives.

"I am honored to serve as a board member for CHOICES eliminating domestic violence. CHOICES has been a powerhouse nonprofit in the fight against domestic violence for over 30 years, running the battered victims shelter and hotline here in central Ohio as well as conducting a host of other advocacy efforts.

"But these are tough times for most nonprofits and CHOICES needs your help. Please join me in my advocacy against domestic and relationship violence by signing up to ride in the third annual "Ride, Bexley, Ride" Police Chief's family bicycle ride and walk against domestic violence on May 22. The event starts at 9 am at the magnificent Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley with stops at the Governor's Mansion and OSU President Gordon Gee's home. The entry fee is $25 per individual and $50 per family with all proceeds going directly to CHOICES. We also need sponsors for the ride. For more information and to sign up or make a donation please go to WWW.CHOICESColumbus.org

"Come join us in our stand against domestic violence and take a ride or walk through beautiful Bexley. Don't forget your helmet."

Larry Rinehart
Chief of Police
City of Bexley, Ohio
614 559-4444
LRinehart@Bexley.org
www.Bexley.org


Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

Police Chief Larry Rinehart writes about recent wave of local burglaries for Bexley Public Radio.

From December 29, 2009, to January 22, 2010, our city experienced eight burglaries in the area of College and Sheridan Avenues.

About half of those victims were Capital University students, some home for the holidays when the crimes were committed.

As I write this, we have a good picture of one suspect and we continue to work the crimes very aggressively. Our officers take this spike in burglaries personally.

Putting the criminals in jail is a top priority.

Our police officers and detectives have a very good track record in solving these type of crimes.

For instance, in a ten day period over the holidays we arrested three separate groups of thieves who were committing daytime burglaries in other parts of Bexley.

One of those groups made it a practice to burglarize homes in Bexley and in other communities via the COTA bus system. That was a first for me.

Unfortunately, no community is immune from this scourge.

Our task is often more challenging due to our proximity to some depressed communities and the major roads that pass through our city. In spite of that, our officers, with the help of vigilant community members and some good community watch groups, do a great job of stemming the tide of crime.

In 2008 we received and responded to 13,665 calls for police service. In 2009 that number dropped to 12,370, in large part due to our pro-active police patrol and crime mapping; we intervened and interacted with criminals before a resident had to call the police.

In 2008 we filed 632 charges on people. In 2009 that number rose to 782, again due to good patrol and investigative police work. In 2008 we made 474 physical arrests. That number rose to 628 in 2009, further evidence of effective patrol and investigative work.

While our detective hours required to solve crimes and bring criminals to justice is significantly increasing (mostly due to the types of crimes; ID theft, etc.), the amount of reported crime committed in our city is not increasing.

We have actually seen a decrease of burglaries and Breaking & Entering crimes from 132 in 2007 to 115 in 2008 to 104 in 2009.

As shown by the increase in charges filed and physical arrests, criminals are coming to Bexley in slightly larger numbers.

However, through vigilant police patrol and effective investigation, along with help from a vigilant community, we are effectively interacting with more criminals than ever, before they commit their crime and before the community calls the police department to report a crime.

Even though we put more patrol cars on the street on every shift than any other 2.5 square miles in Franklin County that I know of, our recent arrests of burglars was due to vigilant residents keeping a watchful eye out in their neighborhoods and quickly calling the police when they observed suspicious, out of place activity.

Even though in 2009 we put well over 200,000 miles on police cars patrolling our city, we still need the help of watchful community members to catch criminals and keep our city safe. We hope that this Spring will see the rise of even more community watch groups.

We also need residents and landlords to keep our Bexley homes secure by ensuring that doors and windows lock securely.

Several of our recent burglaries were of residences where every door and window did not lock correctly, allowing criminals easy access. We are working with the Capital University Police Department to spread these safety points to their student population.

Rest assured that your police department is working diligently to discourage criminals from coming to Bexley and to arrest those who come here and commit crimes. As always, we welcome your input, tips, and vigilance in this effort.

If you see a crime in progress call 911. If you see potentially suspicious activity, have information about a crime, or are interested in finding out more about how to start a block watch, call the police non-emergency number at 559-4444. Thank you, Larry Rinehart


Larry Rinehart
Chief of Police
City of Bexley, Ohio
614 559-4444

Bexley police station an arresting improvement by John Matuszak for Bexley Public Radio

When Robert Holdren joined the Bexley Police Department 13 years ago, he was told there would be a new station within two years.

It took a little bit longer than that, but on Dec. 31 Holdren and the other officers walked into a brand new, fully operational facility on the city's north side.

Bexley's new $7.5 million police station on the city's north side became operational Dec. 31. The project, which replaced a much smaller, 55-year-old building on Main Street, came in on time and under budget. Photo by John Matuszak.

Holdren reported that, on taking possession of the 19,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art station, morale immediately shot up for the 28 members of the force. They had been accustomed to a work site about one-third of that size, built more than 50 years ago as a fire station.

Gone are the cramped spaces and leaky ceilings of the Main Street station. But the improvements are about more than comfort and convenience for Bexley's cops. The $7.5 million project was designed to enhance law enforcement capabilities and bolster the safety of residents.

The differences are obvious as soon as you walk into the roomy lobby. A safety room to the left provides an escape for crime victims who are being pursued. The walls of the lobby are bullet-proof, as evidenced by the marks left by a carpenter who broke his bit trying to drill into them.

An array of new communications technology flashes on the other side of the dispatcher's window. The screens give officers a 360-degree view of the station grounds, and improved contact with the cruisers out on the street. There is even a screen that tracks weather conditions. Most of these advances were difficult or impossible to install at the old station.

The station's communications center has been upgraded, and will no longer double as the roll call room, eliminating crowding and distractions. Photo by John Matuszak.


And the communications room will no longer double as the roll call room, which created distractions for officers and dispatchers. Many rooms in the old station had served multiple purposes, often at the same time. One of the major improvements will be spaces dedicated to specific functions, from roll call to training to interviewing crime victims and suspects.

The prisoner holding area now has three cells. The old station had one that was usable. The new facility also has a secure cruiser bay to bring in prisoners, eliminating the need to walk them from the outside. Security for the police property room has also been improved.

Officers now have a weight room and spacious locker rooms with showers. More than an amenity, the equipment will help officers pass the physical fitness tests held twice a year. The showers will allow those working up a sweat, or those who run into dirty conditions on the job, to clean up at the station instead of at home, getting them back on the street quicker.

The firing range provides enhanced training for officers, and it doesn't leak when it rains.

The firing range takes up most of the third floor. Equipment at the old range frequently broke down, and puddles formed when it rained. The new range allows officers to practice under day or night conditions and from multiple angles, more closely mirroring actual situations they might encounter.

Sergeant Robert Martin, a veteran of more than 30 years' service, was one of the skeptics who thought "I'll believe it when I see it" after witnessing innumerable delays in getting the project off the ground.

Now that he sees it, he's very pleased, although he'll only get to enjoy it for about a year before retiring. But he did acknowledge that the station will provide a big advantage in recruiting new officers to replace those who will be leaving in the near future.

A ribbon-cutting and dedication is being planned for the spring.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. John Matuszak. Photos are copyright 2010. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

Bexley city council meeting: solar panels generate heated debate; police open house set. John Matuszak reports for Bexley Public Radio.

A company wants to put solar panels on the carport of the new Bexley police station, but one of the key planners for the station wants to make sure the city doesn't get burned.

At the Dec. 8 city council meeting, David Cohen, with Dovetail Solar & Wind, and landscape architect Mark Scheiber offered the presentation on behalf of Solar Vision, the company that wants to install the panels to generate electricity for the station.

Cohen explained that the company recently obtained grants to allow it to take on projects in Bexley and Athens, Ohio. The Bexley project would entail installing 540 panels on four carports, with Solar Vision paying for the $935,000 construction and ongoing maintenance of the panels and other equipment.

Under the agreement, Bexley would pay Solar Vision for the electricity generated by the panels. Cohen estimated that the panels would generate betwen 15 and 20 percent of the electricity used by the station, and that this would translate into a savings of $2,267 in energy costs in the first year of the contract and $75,000 over 20 years.

Bexley would have an option to buy the equipment down the road, Cohen said.

Councilman Jeff McClelland asked what would happen if better technology became available five or 10 years down the road.

Cohen said big leaps in solar technology are not anticipated.

Lee Nathans, chairman of the Bexley Police Citizens Advisory Committee and for 10 years a leading advocate and planner for the station set to open this month, took exception to Solar Vision's sunny predictions.

He pointed out that many hours went into planning the design of the station, and the city hired the best environmental engineer in the state to make sure Bexley had a "green" building that was LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. He is concerned that adding the panels at this late date could jeopardize that certification.

The city's architects considered and rejected adding solar panels because they did not believe they would generate enough power to the building, Nathans added.

He called for an independent analysis of all of Solar Vision's estimates for costs, engineering and energy savings, at the expense of the company.

The new police station replaces a structure built during Harry Truman's presidency, Nathans added. In response to Solar Vision's presentation, Nathans repeated the motto of Truman's home state, Missouri: "Show me."

The next step, according to council President Matt Lampke, will be to have City Attorney Lou Chodosh review the contract submitted by Solar Vision. Before council considers the project, the plans will have to be reviewed by the planning commission, board of zoning appeals and the tree commission, he noted.

The city is planning an open house for the new station at 559 North Cassingham Road for Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The station is not expected to be operational until Dec. 31, after which it will be restricted to those with police business.

A ribbon cutting and dedication will be held in the spring.

The new building triples the space available at the current station, built in 1950 as a fire station.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

John Matuszak reports: Bexley council wrestles with budget, police bids

Is the starting gun ready to fire on construction of a new Bexley police station?

And could a tax increase request be on the horizon?

On the police station, it's "Ready - aim - wait."

As it moved achingly close to approving a bid on the long-anticipated station, council members last night opted to wait at least one more week before giving the green light to the $7.6 million project.

In the meantime, representatives are agonizing over next year's budget and appear anxious about whether they can even afford to build the new station.

At the Tuesday finance committee meeting, council members Rick Weber and Mark Masser argued that the public should be given one more chance to speak out about such a large expenditure - even though the public has been mostly mute over the 10 years the project has been debated.

On the table is an ordinance that would okay spending an additional $850,000 on the construction of the station. The ordinance received its first reading at a special council meeting after the finance committee discussion.

It is expected to have a second reading and a possible vote at the October 14 meeting.

The added expenditure became necessary when the first round of bids came in $1 million over the architect's original estimate, which has since been revised upward.

In the second round of bidding, Thomas and Marker Construction came in with the lowest offer of seven companies with a bid of $5,424,400.

Finance Director Beecher Hale has included the almost $500,000 in debt payments on the financing of the full project in next year's budget.

That budget estimates $11.5 million in spending through 2009, and $9.2 million in revenue, for a budget deficit of $1.6 million.

That scenario would deplete the city's fund balance, taking it from this year's $2.1 million to a little over $400,000 by the end of next year.

The city also has a $1 million rainy day fund for emergencies.

Hale blamed the persistent spending gap on tax revenues that have remained flat over the last several years, coupled with increasing labor, health care and other costs.

He pointed out that Mayor John Brennan and members of the administration have reduced spending requests for 2009 by a little over $600,000 in comparison to the current budget.

That might not be enough, some council members said.

Councilman Ben Kessler suggested that the administration should continue to tighten its belt until the projected fund balance for next year is at $1 million.

Mayor Brennan responded that he might be able to squeeze the budget a little more and get the year-end balance close to $500,000, but doubted the city could reach the $1 million mark.

"I think I've skinned the cat pretty well," Brennan said.

Councilman Weber interjected that the city could improve its bottom line by having residents vote on a tax issue to pay for the police station.

Councilwoman Robyn Jones floated the idea of requiring a balanced budget, but Brennan said that would be a mistake and would require laying off employees, including police officers.

Councilman Jed Morison suggested revisiting the budget in six months, but Kessler is worried that the city doesn't have six months before the global financial crisis worsens.

The budget picture ultimately affects large projects such as the police station, and the current fiscal crisis has officials questioning whether this is the best time to borrow.

Part of Brennan's plan to improve the city's financial standing is to convene a task force of citizens who would study the budget situation and make recommendations on cutting spending and boosting revenue. Those interested can get more information on the city's web site.

This could include a tax increase request next year. Brennan said he would prefer to ask for the increase before the school district places an issue on the ballot in 2010.

Councilman Masser expressed his approval of having a citizens' task force and added that the city needs to find a way to increase its revenue. Masser has been an advocate of a "tax equalization" plan that would bring the income tax rate paid by people who work in Bexley with residents who work outside the city.

WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.