Questions answered, holiday safety and a welcome back

Welcome, the Holiday Season is now upon us and I have a few things I would like to pass on to the citizens of Brazil.

First, I would like to welcome back to duty our Patrrolman/K-9 Handler Kenny Hill and his partner, K-9 Officer Anya. Over the past year they have been missed and we are pleased that they have been able to return.

I also would like to announce that applications for "Shop with a Cop" will be handed out at the Brazil Police Department dispatch window beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14, and must be returned by no later than 4 p.m., Dec. 5.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Brazil Police Department will join with the Clay County Sheriff's and Clay City Police departments and the staff members of the Clay County Health and Rehabilitation Center will be in partnership to offer a free I.D. program for families who have loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer's, Dementia or any other condition that might cause them to wander away.

The program is called Home Again and will consist of fingerprinting, photographing and capturing personal identifying information to assist law enforcement in helping to identify and returning wandering loved ones to their families.

The Nov. 19 date will be the first of what we hope will be many such events to take place over the next few years and, hopefully, far into the future.

If you have a family member, or know of someone who could benefit from this free program, please encourage them to take part of this community awareness event.

OK, now for a look back into last month's replies to my blog.

In reference to bicycle traffic on sidewalks, FlyinLion was correct, as the law does provide that bicycle traffic are to travel in the same direction as the flow of vehicle traffic on the roadways.

However, the law does not specify an age in which a child may operate a bicycle upon the city streets. I would say that it would depend on when you, as a parent, believe your child is old enough to make decisions concerning what to do in emergency situations.

There are no local ordinances on age limits for bicyclists; however, I would certainly supervise my children until I felt their abilities as cyclists were not a safety issue for me. Sidewalks were made for pedestrian traffic.

Younger cyclists who have not yet mastered the art enough to be in the streets are encouraged to use the sidewalks as well.

We just ask that everyone using the sidewalks please be safe and courteous.

Icareaboutbrazil, I believe you are right about the miscommunication between departments and one possibly thinking the other is passing the word along. We all have areas in which we need to improve along the communication lines and I will be addressing those issues in the coming weeks and months.

As for directing traffic at White Rock Road and Pinckley Street, I believe this may cause more issues than it would stop.

There is no way for an officer to know which way a car is wanting to turn -- and the hesitation it would cause for the traffic as they try to figure out what the officer wanted --could possibly cause bigger issues.

I do, however, appreciate your comments and thoughts to help me with the traffic problems we all face.

Keep those ideas coming and we will work together to help our community.

Pearl2083, thank you for your comments, I understand the speed issues on State Road 59 and we do write citations there in an attempt to slow traffic down through Brazil.

I have also written several citations, not only at that intersection but others throughout the city, to vehicles that run red lights.

I hope you understand that although we cannot be everywhere and see everything, when we do witness a violation, we will stop the vehicle and a citation will be written.

The safety of our citizens is our highest priority!

Speaking of traffic, we also have The Christmas In The Park event starting the last of November when the annual parade kicks it off on Nov. 28.

This parade is held after dark, which creates several problems in itself.

Oncoming motorists can't see pedestrians who line National Avenue and sometime pour out into the street, creating hazards not only for the bystanders and oncoming traffic but also for those driving the floats. (This is one of the safety reasons why the police department requests that motorists remove vehicles parked along the parade route one hour before the event.)

The parade also runs from east to west, a reversal of the normal parade route, which is another distraction for those not used to this parade.

I would ask that onlookers try to stay out of the streets for safety reasons and for parents to please help keep a special eye on your children during this event.

Let's all please work together to make these events happy and safe for all.

Thank you all for taking the time to read and reply to my blog.

Until next month, stay safe and let's all work together to make Brazil a place to be proud of!

David Archer

Chief of Police

Brazil Police Department

203 E. National Ave.

Brazil, Ind., 47834.

(812) 446-2211

policechief@brazil.in.gov