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Police, fire chiefs update council on patrols, radar signs and fireworks safety
Summary
The city reported new directed-patrol tools and two mobile radar signs for speeding enforcement; fire chief warned that consumer fireworks remain illegal to discharge in city limits and urged drone avoidance during public displays.
Waterville's police and fire chiefs briefed council on public-safety operations and seasonal enforcement on June 23.
The police chief reported the city's "directed patrol" program, which highlights problem streets for officers, and said the department received two mobile speed-radar signs that staff plan to unbox and deploy this week. "We received our 2 mobile speed radar signs. We're gonna try to unbox them tomorrow, get them charged up, and hopefully by Friday, public works can help us install them," the police chief said.
The chief also credited increased traffic stops to directed patrols and additional patrol staffing; he said one previously vacant officer position has been filled and that the department now meets regularly with the prosecutor on cases. The chief described the directed-patrol frontline report available to officers in patrol cars, which documents warnings and citations in problem areas.
Fire Chief Doug told council that consumer fireworks are still illegal to discharge inside the City of Waterville and urged residents to leave displays to licensed professionals. "They are still illegal to discharge them in the city of, Waterville," Doug said, adding that sharing fireworks with attendees can create an unlicensed exhibition and safety risks.
The fire chief also warned about drone operations near fireworks: "During fireworks, please make sure drones, stay out of the firework area." He said drones are not permitted in the safety zone for fireworks because of risks to spectators, shooters and the drones themselves.
Councilors praised community programs such as Safety City, which the police chief said had a record attendance of more than 70 students, and thanked officers for participation in events such as Rock the Block. Council asked about cellular service and whether the department was coordinating with carriers; the police chief said work was underway with a tower vendor.
No formal action was taken; chiefs asked council to note the operational updates and confirmed plans to deploy the radar signs and continue seasonal enforcement and public-education efforts on fireworks safety.
