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Fairmont Heights police begin overnight patrols; council seeks clearer guidance on take‑home vehicles
Summary
Lieutenant Coghill reported new overnight patrols, parking enforcement and crisis intervention training; council members asked for specifics on patrol hours, staffing and whether officers use town vehicles for off‑duty work.
The Fairmont Heights police department has begun overnight patrols, the department’s lieutenant told the council during the monthly police report. "As of last week, Fairmont Police Department has started doing overnight patrols," the lieutenant said, and added the department would not publish hours "for the safety of our officers."
He reported 30 calls in town from Feb. 15 to March 17, said countywide crime statistics were down and that officers had issued 17 parking citations and made three arrests since the last report. He also said officers completed 40‑hour crisis intervention training and that the department now has certified crisis intervention officers.
Council members pressed for details on staffing and vehicle policy. The lieutenant said the department has three officers on staff (the lieutenant, one corporal and one patrol officer). When asked whether officers take department vehicles home and whether they perform part‑time work outside the town, council members agreed on a careful public response: say officers are authorized to "take home vehicles" but avoid stating whether they are working part time in other jurisdictions without confirmation.
Councilwoman Saint John asked for the patrol hours to align with school schedules; the lieutenant recommended patrols around 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. for school‑day timing. The council also asked the lieutenant to follow up on a vehicle fire reported on 57th Place and to coordinate cleanup with town public works.
