The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
How do police protect themselves from a virus?
Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not respond to verbal commands, isn’t scared of a taser, and you can’t shoot it. So law enforcement must do what everyone else is doing. Maintaining social distances, no hand-shaking (fist or elbow bumping may still be ok) hand-washing and wearing protective masks.
Our model, Off. Ben Kitchen shows what he looks like normally, with a N95 mask and with a CBRN gas mask.
An N95 mask is designed to block out 95% of particulates and is used in a lot of social situations, while a CBRN gas mask provides complete filtered protection. CBRN gas masks are normally used for riot control situations where teargas or pepper spray may be required.
Each member of the Bay Village Police Department is issued both types of masks to deal with any situation that we may come across.
As we move forward in these unusual and scary times, please continue to monitor our social media accounts for the most up to date information.
From our Friends at the BVFD
You will see some alterations to our preparedness as we continue to provide the highest level of police and fire services. Don’t be alarmed as it is simple protective equipment. As the situation changes regarding the COVID-19 virus, we recommend that you follow both the police and fire department Facebook pages for the most up to date information.
Your friends at the BVFD and BVPD
Elderly Couple Returned Safely
On 3/7/20 at approx 12:30AM Cleveland PD reported that a vehicle, reported by Vermilion PD as missing, was in the area of Bassett and Crocker. Family had reported the elderly couple in the vehicle had not returned home. The couple were reportedly afflicted by dementia. Officers checked the area including the hotels but could not find the missing couple. About 3 hours later Vermilion PD updated that the couple’s phone was pinging in the area of Center Ridge and Porter. Officers located the couple driving on Center Ridge at Chase Rds. Luckily the couple was unharmed but just lost. Officers stood by to await the family who responded to take care of their loved ones.
Car Hijacked at Car Wash
On 3/8/20 at approx. 11:30AM WPD received a 911 call from a male at the Bee Clean Car Wash at Dover and Detroit Rds. He reported that a male suspect, dropped off by a car load of other males, pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the man’s SUV. The complainant complied. The vehicle was stolen but the victim was not injured.
Crocker Park Assault
Officers later learned that approx. 30 minutes before the above car-jacking, the same group accosted a female in the Mulberry Garage at Crocker Park. Again, one of the suspects, described as a young looking black male, presented a handgun and stole the victim’s purse. This victim was not injured either. Detectives learned that the group, while driving around in stolen vehicles, had also taken a car from a citizen in Beachwood and committed felony crimes in Lakewood and Cleveland. Working with Cleveland PD and neighboring agencies, several of the juveniles have been identified and arrested.
Disabled Adult Defrauded
On 3/8/20 at about 6:15PM a developmentally disabled adult and his mother came to WPD to report a fraud. The male adult had been on social media, specifically Kik, Hangouts, Facebook and Facebook Messenger. He met several “friends” and struck up conversations. They talked the victim into buying gift cards and sending out the serial numbers. In addition, the victim had been persuaded to open an online bank account. The victim lost several thousand dollars before the care giver realized what was happening. A fraud report was generated.
Lock Your Cars
On 3/11/20 at approx. 7:30AM an officer was dispatched to a residence on Beaver Creek for a reported theft from auto. The resident there reported that an unlocked vehicle had been rummaged through while parked in the driveway. Security footage revealed that 2 suspects wearing hoodies exited a vehicle on the street and entered the victim’s car. They tried another car in the drive but this one was locked so the suspects left. While checking the neighborhood, officers located another vehicle entered on Wingedfoot. Neither car owner reported that anything was missing.
****Officer note: this is a great reminder to LOCK YOUR CARS wherever you park them. Take valuables out or hide them in a trunk or out of sight. Do NOT be a crime of opportunity. And as always please call the Westlake Police if you see a person or vehicle acting suspiciously in your neighborhood.****
Houseguest Horror
On 3/12/20 at approx. 5:00PM WPD received a call from a resident on Cedarwood who reported that he came home to find that his recent house guest had taken his property and was preparing to leave. Officers arrived to find the female roommate in the parking lot by her vehicle. In mediating the situation, both of the parties were interviewed. The property belonging to the complainant was returned and he decided he did not want to pursue charges. While speaking to the female half of the incident, officers noted that she was slurring her speech and had trouble organizing her thoughts. After indicating that she was going to drive away, the female was field tested. She appeared intoxicated and admitted she had a problem with Xanax abuse. The officers advised her she was not fit to drive and even offered to transport her to a safe place. The female refused and entered the driver’s seat of her vehicle and attempted to start the ignition. Of course she was immediately arrested and charged with physical control. At the jail, the 19yo Lima, OH resident was also found to be in possession of Xanax pills.
Head On Crash
On 3/1/20 at approx. 6:30PM WPD received several 911 calls about a head on crash on Clague Rd in the area of 1968 Clague. The male driver of one of the vehicles appeared to be seriously injured and had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Westlake Fire Dept. His wife was the passenger in the car and indicated that they were returning home from a fishing trip. He was transported to the hospital along with the female driver from the other vehicle who appeared to have only minor injuries. The male driver was found to be driving under suspension and had a warrant for his arrest from Linndale PD. The crash is still under investigation but alcohol is believed to have played a factor.
