Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Police topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Restaurant owner raises policing concerns; police present traffic-stop data and preview UTV/ATV rules
Summary
The Wagon Wheel owner said patrons are "afraid to leave" because of visible police stops; Police Chief Mathies presented 2024 traffic-stop totals (420 stops) and said officers will review parking practices. The council also received a draft UTV/ATV ordinance for review.
Steve Keaton, owner of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, told the council his customers are "afraid to leave the restaurant" after seeing multiple police stops in front of his business and said he is "not anti-police" but patrons expressed concern that stops for minor infractions are being used to look for impaired drivers.
Police Chief Zachary Mathies responded that it is difficult to control where officers must pull vehicles over and said he would discuss use of the restaurant's parking area with officers. Chief Mathies also presented 2024 totals for traffic activity: "Traffic Stops (420), Citations(46) and Reports(104)," and provided July/August specifics including 97 traffic warnings and several other enforcement actions. He noted the department's emphasis on enforcement combined with education and reported a 2021 Ford Explorer is approximately 95% complete for service with a new decal wrap installed.
Separately, Chief Mathies distributed a draft UTV/ATV ordinance for council review; the draft would require permits for out-of-town riders unless they already hold an active permit from another city or county. The council agreed to review the draft paragraph-by-paragraph in future meetings.
No formal action was taken on enforcement practices or the UTV/ATV draft at this meeting; the police chief will follow up with officers and staff will continue ordinance review.
