WEST SHORE BLUES: The Best of the Beats

Thank You Emory Crowder

Westlake resident and WWII Silver Star recipient Emory Crowder turned 98 years young recently. Westlake honored him through a Proclamation from the Mayor along with a WPD and Westlake Fire Dept parade in the neighborhood. Wishing Emory many years of heath ahead! #westlakeproud

Hurricane Ida Relief

The Westlake Police Department would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Hurricane Ida Relief Effort so far. With your help, we have been able to deliver many invaluable truckloads of much needed water, food and other basic essentials to people affected by the storm. There are multiple organizations we are working with to collect and distribute donations. You may consider donating money and supplies through Nehemiah’s Neighborhood Network or by going to www.columbiaroad.org. #hurricaneida

Checks can be made out to Nehemiah’s Neighborhood Network and mailed to: 4488 west 160th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Donations also may be dropped off at the Westlake Police Department. If you have questions, call Rick Grane at 440-829-0974.

200 “Care Kits” Donated

The City of Westlake’s Police and Fire Departments graciously accepted 200 “care kits” last week, donated by a group of volunteers from IMCD US, a chemical distribution company headquartered here in Westlake! This gesture was part of the company’s 9/11 Remembrance Initiative, through which it is observing the 20th anniversary of 9/11 by “doing good as a tribute to those who were lost, injured, or rose to serve.” The company made similar donation drop-offs to local police and firefighters near its offices in California and New Jersey. Thank you for supporting our safety forces! #911anniversary #imcdcares #imcdcarekits

Westshore Public Safety Cadets Program

Westlake PD is proud to announce the formation of the Westshore Public Safety Cadets Program. This community policing outreach, formerly known as the Explorers Program, is designed for young persons aged 14-20. It is run directly by officers and employees of the WPD along with Bay Village PD. It provides hands on exploration of the different aspects of Law Enforcement and more importantly develops leadership knowledge, skills and abilities. For more information or to apply please contact Disp. Sheldon at 440-871-3311 x 8314 or email tsheldon@westlakepolice.us. #KEEPWESTLAKESAFE Westshore Public Safety Cadets unit #7711

Westlake Patrolman Hitchens

We are proud to welcome Patrolman Zack Hitchens as the newest member of the Westlake Police Department! Zack comes to us from the City of Cleveland where he served for the past three years. #WelcometoWestlake

Bay Village Officer Joins Station to Station Run

On Saturday September 11, Bay Village Officers Ian Moore and Ben Kitchen joined individuals from across the area as they participated in the Amherst Station to Station Run. This event was held to remember the first responders, citizens, and members of our armed forces who laid down their lives for their friends and family on September 11, 2001 and in the 20 years that followed.

Firefighters, Police/LE First Responders, and active/former members of the Armed Forces participated, some ran or walked in uniform.

Proceeds of the event benefited the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Lorain County Blue Association (LoCo Blue), and local burn units.

Way to go Ian and Ben! Thanks for representing the BVPD and law enforcement in this event. – Chief Robert Gillespie

Aux. Capt. Jeff Hartz Retires from Bay Village Auxiliary

Please help us congratulate and thank Aux. Capt. Jeff Hartz (L) who recently retired from the Bay Village Auxiliary. Aux. Capt. Hartz retired after 32 years of service with the unit. His dedicated service and volunteerism has made a tremendous impact on the men and women of the Bay Village Police Department, Bay Village Police Auxiliaries and the City of Bay Village.

Hartz is seen receiving a wooden flag from Bay Village Police Lieutenant Mark Palmer.

Interested in joining the police auxiliaries? Please contact the Bay Village Police Department at 440-871-1234 or check out the City of Bay Village website.

The Bay Village Auxiliary consists of 23 individuals who volunteer their time assisting the police department with numerous details. Training and uniforms are provided.

Happy (belated) Birthday to the Bay Village Police Department.

On Saturday September 5, the BVPD celebrated its 80th year as a police department. A tremendous thank you to our generous benefactor who supplied the department with a cake!

A more detailed history…

From the founding of Bay Village in 1903 until 1941, the chief law enforcement officer in the city was the Marshall. On April 6, 1903, Frank C. Sites was appointed Marshall of Bay Village as a part-time position, followed by Carl M. Geyer. It wasn’t until June 12, 1923 that the city hired Harvey A. Yoder as the first full-time Marshall. Following Yoder’s sudden death, Deputy John P. Eaton was appointed Marshall on July 27, 1925. Marshall Eaton was elected to eight consecutive terms as Marshall and on September 5, 1941, became Chief of Police. Bay Village’s first police department consisted of Chief Eaton and two full time officers: Clifford Mercer and William Serne.

Bay Village Chief of Police (Appointed – Retired)

  • John P. Eaton July 27, 1925 – August 31, 1960
  • Jay Hubach September 1, 1960 – October 24, 1964
  • Fred F. Drenkhan January 1, 1965 – February 29, 1976
  • Peter Gray March 13, 1976 – April 26, 1985
  • William (Bill) Gareau May 20, 1985 – December 1, 1995
  • David Wright January 16, 1996 – June 23, 2013
  • Mark Spaetzel November 1, 2013 – June 1, 2020
  • Kathy Leasure June 2, 2020 – May 1, 2021
  • Robert Gillespie May 21, 2021 – present

A Day in the Life

What does a typical day in the life of a police officer look like? Here is just one example of the job duties of an Avon Police Officer on any given day…..giving back and helping the community we protect. Nice job to Ptl. Justin Murray who stopped and assisted this couple change a flat tire on their vehicle.

“Avon Community We Need Your Votes!”

We have entered the 2021 First Responder Photo Challenge through Light Ohio Blue in a friendly competition to highlight our agency and community pride. The contest runs 09/01/2021 through 09/30/2021. You can vote on one photo in each category per day. Our cruiser pic will be found under LE Category 3. Please help us with votes. You can go to www.lightohioblue.org or simply visit the link here: https://lightohioblue.org/2021-lecat3/

Congratulations Patrol Officers

ALPD wants to congratulate Patrol Officers Majercak & Weissinger for successfully completing the Avon Lake Police Field Training Program! The officers experienced an extensive fourteen week training program which consisted of formal on-the-job training, coaching & performance assessments by a variety of veteran Field Training Officers. They are now prepared to meet the challenges of the law enforcement profession and serve the Avon Lake community with the highest expectations of service and commitment. Pictured left to right: Lt. Tibbitts, Officer Majercak, Officer Weissinger, & Lt. Giardini