Police chief replaces controversial cruiser plate; council discusses SRO, staffing and recruiting

Chief Mark Chaney (identified in the meeting as Chief Chaney) told council he had already purchased replacement plates described as a ‘‘memorial band plate’’ — an all‑black plate with a single blue line — to replace an American‑flag display that prompted a social‑media controversy over a thin‑blue‑line flag. The chief said the plates would be placed on city cruisers "probably at the end of the week."

The remarks came after several residents and council members raised questions about how the display on a cruiser had been interpreted. Chief Chaney said the decal was intended as a memorial to fallen officers, not a political statement, and that critics had misread its meaning. "It's a memorial band plate. That's what we will put on the back of the cars when they come in, probably at the end of the week," the chief said.

Council members responded with broad support for the chief’s decision. Council member Mister Wilson said the city should ensure government vehicles display only the U.S. flag and praised the chief for acting to defuse community concern. Several councilors thanked the chief for acting quickly and called the replacement an ‘‘easy fix.’’

School resource officer and staffing discussion Chief Chaney also briefed council on police staffing. He said the department is short several officers and is pursuing a CHIPS grant (described in the meeting as a CHP hiring grant) to add personnel. He gave a breakdown of staffing as: about 10 officers working road duty (one in training), plus two detectives and the chief, leaving the city short of its authorized 18 positions. He said maintaining an SRO (school resource officer) depends in part on whether the school district continues to fund the position — the district reportedly pays 75% of the SRO salary now — and that if the district declines, keeping the position would reduce road staffing.

Council members asked for numbers and clarification. Chief Chaney summarized: "So currently working the road, I have 10. With 1 of those being in training still... Then you have myself that is counted towards the staffing. And then you have detective Brown. So that's 12 and then Jen Cena is 13... If we count the 18 spots, we're down 5." He added the department has relied on outside assistance for detective work and is trying to reduce that reliance.

Fire levy and budget context Council discussed an upcoming tax‑levy certification: a resolution declaring the city’s intent to seek renewal of a levy in excess of the 10‑mill limitation (cited in the meeting as Ohio Revised Code section 5705.19). Council suspended second and third readings on the levy‑intent resolution to allow the county auditor to certify values and to give citizens more time to review the proposed levy language; that procedural step passed 7–0.

What was decided - Chief will replace the cruiser plate with memorial band plates; the chief characterized it as a low‑cost, rapid response (reported cost in the meeting: approximately $63). - Council suspended readings for a fire‑levy intent resolution to begin the certification process with the county auditor and to provide additional public notice; the suspension was approved 7–0. - Council and administration said they will continue recruiting and pursuing grant funding to restore staffing toward the authorized number of officers.

Ending Council members praised the chief’s quick action to defuse community concern and emphasized the city’s goal to remain focused on public safety and staffing. The city administrator and finance staff will continue to work with the chief on grant applications and levy certification steps.