Monticello police verify offender registry, emphasize pool safety ahead of summer; department earns Lexipol gold award

Monticello Police Chief Robert Bross reported on public-safety preparations for summer during the May 27 council meeting, saying the department is verifying its registered-offender registry and taking steps to prevent prohibited individuals from visiting city facilities such as the pool.

"We are going through our ... offender registry and making sure that all of our registered offenders are where they're supposed to be with the information they're supposed to have," Bross said. He said officers Doherty and Lieutenant Lansford were visiting residences to confirm address information. Bross recounted an incident last June when a registered predator attempted to be at the pool and said the department sent a letter to every registered offender in the county advising them of the law and consequences if they attempted to attend the pool.

Bross said officers will increase presence at schools during the final days of the school year and that the department is coordinating with the sheriff’s office on public-safety planning for the July 3 fireworks. He noted logistical uncertainty around shuttle buses tied to a site exit issue and said the city is meeting with the fireworks coordinator and the sheriff’s office to finalize plans.

The chief also announced the department received Lexipol’s gold award for policy, procedure and training updates. "We received the gold award," Bross said, adding the recognition reflects the department’s work on training compliance and policy updates.