Grant boosts New Middletown police patrol

By Denise Dick

Village residents have wanted 24-hour protection, but the village couldn’t afford it.

NEW MIDDLETOWN — A state grant will enable the village to have 24-hour police protection beginning next month.

The village received a $27,000 grant from the Ohio Criminal Justice Services office to move a part-time officer to full time. The village must kick in about $9,000.

“It will enable the village to have 24-hour police protection for the first time in the history of the department,” said Police Chief Vincent D’Egidio.

Officer Paul Frazzini, part time since he was hired last February, will be promoted to full time beginning Dec. 1. After some training, he is expected to begin his full-time duties Dec. 6, the chief said.

D’Egidio said 24-hour protection has been a goal of his since becoming chief last year. It’s also been a goal of Mayor Harry Kale’s since he took the mayoral post, the chief said. Kale is on sick leave after surgery.

Richard DeBucci, council president, is filling in as the acting mayor during Kale’s recovery.

“I think it’s going to obviously mean more protection” for residents and businesses, DeBucci said.

For years, residents have wanted 24-hour police protection, but the village couldn’t afford it, he said.

The grant is for one year, and village officials likely will seek a replacement levy for a police issue that’s expected on the November 2010 ballot. The millage hasn’t been determined, DeBucci said.

The village’s police force patrols from morning until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays. D’Egidio and the department’s sergeants are on call during the off hours.

Whether a new part-time officer is hired to fill Frazzini’s part-time slot hasn’t been determined. One part-time officer is on maternity leave and may return to the job.

With the new full-time officer, the department includes four full-time officers and four part-time officers who are active.

Full-time officers earn $14 per hour and part-time officers earn $11.88 per hour.

“The big thing is the deterrent,” D’Egidio said. “We’ll be out there all the time, not just during certain shifts.”

denise_dick@vindy.com