Trustees approve motions increasing police and fire forces

The township has seen an increase in the theft of copper from vacant homes.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LAKE MILTON -- Milton Township trustees approved a pair of motions to add personnel to the fire and police departments.
At their meeting Tuesday, trustees voted to hire two firefighters to serve in the Milton Township Volunteer Fire Department, bringing the department's complement 24. Hired were 18-year-old Andrew Smith as a junior firefighter and Johnny Switzer as a probationary firefighter, and both should be on board in May after going through background checks, Chief Rick Pellin said.
After training, junior firefighters can respond to calls, direct traffic, assist with medical calls and other related duties, but can't go into burning buildings, Pellin noted.
Increased police force
Trustees also approved a resolution by Police Chief Mike Saltsman to add Martin Novotny, Wilson Valentin and Tyrone Hyshaw to the force. All three will be subjected to drug tests and background checks and are to start as unpaid auxiliary officers, Saltsman said, adding that the move will bring to 16 the number of officers in the department.
Depending on their performances, all three can be elevated to reserve officers, the chief said. Novotny, Hyshaw and Valentin all have previous law enforcement experience, Saltsman added.
Auxiliary officers are able to make arrests but have to ride with another officer. Reserve officers can respond to calls unaccompanied and are paid, the chief explained.
Saltsman said in his report to trustees that the township has seen a recent increase in copper thefts from vacant homes. Residents who see suspicious activity are asked to call the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department at (330) 740-2370 if no one is able to take their call at the police department.