A little more than two weeks ago, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson announced the appointment of a new police chief, and shared the new comprehensive approach of how the city will address crime. One of the components in the plan focuses on the upgrade of equipment for police, fire and emergency services.
“We understand that our public safety employees need reliable and updated equipment to perform their jobs effectively,” said Freeman-Wilson. “While this has been an area of focus from the beginning of this administration, I am glad to be working with Chief McKinley and Chief Everett and their teams to escalate some of their immediate needs.”
The Gary Police Department (GPD) has ordered 4 Dodge Chargers that will be delivered within the next few weeks and will enter into a buy lease program this fall that will allow the department to receive at least 25 more patrol vehicles. A total of 14 additional police officers are going through final screening and will join the police force later this year.
“When it comes to public safety, these are just a few of the measures we have begun to implement,” said Police Chief Larry McKinley. “It is important to emphasize that it takes more than equipment and the addition of a few more officers to tackle crime. I’m glad to see so many community organizations and faith-based groups reaching out to me asking how they can be a part of the solution, and we are working to engage every one of them.”
The Gary Fire Department has also made strides in replenishing its artillery of equipment. At the start of 2012, there were only 3 operating engines and no functioning truck. In July 2012, an engine was loaned by the Glenwood Fire Department and ultimately donated to the Gary Fire Department. In 2013, three engines, two trucks and four emergency response vehicles (including one for EMS) were purchased followed by a remounted ambulance that the department placed in service after being with a repair company for two years.
“The safety of Gary residents is our main concern,” said Fire Chief Teresa Everett. “We focus on consistent repair and maintenance of our current equipment and look for opportunities to upgrade equipment and make improvements at fire stations as the dollars become available. “
The department is working on a request to submit to the Gary Common Council which will include the remounting of two ambulances in 2014 and the purchase of three new engines in 2015.
Since 2012, the City of Gary has invested nearly $2.8 million in public safety equipment, even in the face of pressing needs for snow plows and other general services equipment and the challenge of addressing outstanding debts to outside entities. Freeman-Wilson also acknowledged the strong relationships that have been forged with neighboring police and fire departments through mutual aid agreements as a benefit to the overall delivery of service to residents.
“We value the partnerships with our public safety comrades across the county and state,” said Freeman-Wilson. “In times of crisis we can depend on one another, and that’s what really matters.”