Prairie City Police Department

In December, the Prairie City Police Department responded to 445 calls for service.

There were 30 calls for citizen contact including six for suspicious activity, five for extra patrol and four for civil matters. The PCPD had 142 call for business contact with the majority at 120 going to security checks. Government contact came in at 147 with 101 completing security checks. Officers were also called to the school 16 times for assistance, assisted the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office four times, the Monroe Police Department four times and the Colfax Police Department twice.

Four investigation were completed for driving under suspension driving while intoxicated, harassment/threats and narcotics violation. 14 motorist assists were done with six for dangerous driver, four for disabled vehicles, three for objects in the road and one welfare check. Two traffic accidents were reported.

The department also met with school officials, law enforcement and the fire department representative form the area to discuss incident planning and responses at the PCM School District. At the meeting, police chief Joe Bartello said, they toured each school building in the district and discussed various responses to different types of incidents.

The recently approved new patrol vehicle for the department was purchased and picked up. It is currently getting the decals and equipment installed and should be ready for service by the end of January.

The council also approve the hired of Jeremy Dittmer for the part-time patrol officer position. Dittmer comes to the department after serving with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.