Indianapolis to feel the impact of reducing 2022 Marion County Sheriff Department budget
In order to accommodate the funding of the new $55 million/annual Community Justice Campus, Marion County Sheriff’s Department received a slash in their operating dollars; specifically, a loss of $14million/year. That reduction will include the elimination of funds to transfer inmates from Metropolitan Police and the independent police departments of Beech Grove, Speedway, Southport, Lawrence, and Cumberland, to the county jail. The County contends that City Controller Ken Clark was well aware of the implications when the budget reductions were originally proposed and then approved.
Although Indianapolis plans to use some of its American Rescue Plan fund to cover the shortfall this year, Officers will need to be taken off of patrol to handle the new responsibilities. The local municipalities claim they do not have the capacity to handle the newly required overtime. The potential safety risk includes the realioty of longer response times, moving forward.
The Indianapolis Community Justice Campus includes a new Marion County courthouse, jail, and mental health and addiction assessment center.
IUWBB game against Wright State cancelled at 11th hour
The Indiana University Women’s Basketball game that had been scheduled for last night against Wright State, was canceled due to COVID-19 implications resulting from positive cases within the Raiders program. The game will not be made up. Ticket holders can contact the IU Ticket office for information on exchanging their tickets.
Stay safe, always assume you are on “thin ice”
With the inevitable upcoming drop in temperatures across the state, Indiana Conservation Officers advise Hoosiers and visitors of the potential hazards of being on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. It’s also important to keep a watchful eye for other people who may venture out on neighborhood retention ponds, lakes, and other waterways to find themselves in trouble.
Every winter, thousands of Hoosiers safely enjoy fishing, skating, hiking, or just sliding around on frozen ponds and lakes; although tragedy strikes each year, as well. When thinking about getting on the ice, put safety first. Believe it is thin ice unless proven otherwise.
Here are a few tips to remember when considering standing on or walking on a frozen body of water:
- No ice is safe ice.
- Test the thickness of the ice with an ice auger. At least 4 inches of ice is recommended for ice fishing; 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiling.
- If you don’t know the thickness of the ice, do not go on it.
- Wear a life jacket or flotation coat.
- Carry ice hooks and rope gear.
- Before going on the ice, leave a note of your whereabouts with a friend or family member.
- Don’t test the thickness of the ice while alone.
Wearing a life jacket is especially important when on ice. If you fall through, a life jacket will keep your head above the water until help arrives.
Remember that a new coating of snow, while perhaps beautiful, can make for treacherous ice conditions. Snow can serve as insulation, causing water to freeze at a slower rate. When snow and rain freeze into ice, it is not as strong as solid, clear ice.
Another potentially dangerous situation is when you see a pet or other animal in distress on the ice. If that happens, do not go after it. Instead, contact local emergency response personnel, who are equipped to make a rescue.
A few more tips:
- Some bodies of water can appear to be frozen solid but have thin ice in several potentially unexpected areas.
- Flowing water, such as rivers and streams, should be avoided when covered by a layer of ice.
- Similarly, water that is surrounded by sand may freeze with inconsistencies in the thickness of the ice.
- Underground springs, wind, waterfowl, and other animals can also keep areas of ice thin.
This Week in Hoosier History
1935 – A 22-foot, 40-ton statue of St. Nicholas was unveiled at Santa Claus, Indiana. The Lafayette Journal and Courier reported that “a thousand persons braved the cold weather and slippery pavements to come to the little village for the ceremony.” The statue still stands in the festive community.
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here