CHPD News

The cold temperatures have settled in to our area; and already some have fallen victim to thieves targeting running cars left unattended.  Yes, even while parked in the driveway of your home and in front of the front door. “Each year dozens of vehicles are stolen in Clark County, some of those in Charlestown, when the weather turns cold and the opportunity of a unlocked vehicle running is exactly how thieves get what they’re looking for”, reminds Chief Keith McDonald, of the Charlestown Police Department. “The vast majority of these car thieves don’t have to smash windows, or anything difficult….just walk up to a car, open the car door, hop in, and drive away,” Chief McDonald explained. In an effort to reduce the number of these types of vehicle thefts, officers will drive around targeted areas to look not only for potential thieves, but victims as well.  Part of the…

On Friday, September 28th the Clark County Special Olympics was presented a check for $3000 from Police Officer fundraising activities! From October of 2017 to March of 2018 Officers donated a portion of each of their pay checks to Special Olympics. An account was set up at New Washington State Bank for the public to drop off donations as well. We appreciate each Officer and each member of the public who made a donation! Pictured left to right; Officer Brandon Lyons, Lt. Brion Gilbert, Asst. Chief Tim Wolff, Chief Keith McDonald, Special Olympics County Coordinator Steven Binggeli, Nathan Snyder, Steven Binggeli & Linda Snyder. Officers who donated but aren’t pictured; Officer Jonathan Roederer, Officer Albert Purcell, Officer Tyler Lyons, Officer Eric Kruse, Officer Cameron Dickerson, SRO Adam Clark, K9 Ben Bertram, Officer Thomas Bamforth & Officer Jeff Fields.

Representatives of Indiana’s State Attorney General’s Office recently visited Clark County, and through the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office; is encouraging Indiana citizens to use their improved electronic complaint system for various consumer concerns.  The electronic complaint system enables citizens to file a complaint securely over the internet for various concerns such as: Medicaid Fraud Patient Abuse & Neglect Consumer Issues Do Not Call/Text and Scams Do Not Fax Violations Gas Gouging Issues Identity Theft Issues Mortgage Fraud Issues Properly and effectively investigating the above types of issues is very complicated for local law enforcement agencies; largely due to fact that these suspects and perpetrators operate on a worldwide venue.  The commitment that Indiana’s Attorney General has voiced; especially in the areas listed above, is promising and essential for deploying the necessary resources to enforce Indiana laws protecting Hoosiers. Phone Scams, Do Not Call Violations, Medicaid (Welfare) Fraud, and Identity Theft…

During the July 2nd, 2018 Charlestown City Council Meeting, the council entertained an ordinance to approve the financing of the construction of a new Charlestown Police Headquarters facility.  The ordinance passed 4-1 on a second and final reading, with councilwoman Tina Barnes abstaining from the vote. The new facility will be located next to the existing station at 701 Main Street; and will be financed through locally through the New Washington State Bank.  Paul Wheatley, president and founder of The Wheatley Group, LLC, is contracted to develop the new station along with GM Development.  Wheatley said the construction design should be ready in the next three to four weeks. Construction crews should be able to break ground by the end of the month, he said. If construction begins in the next three weeks, the project will likely be completed by late spring of 2019.  Wheatley said he is excited to give…

For several decades, the Charlestown Police Department has maintained an organized program of performing security checks of businesses inside the city and their associated properties after hours; and especially during the early morning (higher property crime instance) time periods.  The program, called Operation Business Check-of which several Charlestown businesses are already familiar with, provides department patrol officers with vital security and contact information about registered businesses; which greatly assists officers when finding or responding to a problem. A brand NEW facet of Operation Business Check is receiving timely business crime and security alerts, notifications, and information via email; designed to keep Charlestown businesses informed of local crime trends and information to help employees prevent becoming a victim. Simply complete the CONFIDENTIAL ON-LINE REGISTRATION FORM to add, update and/or renew your business’s participation in Charlestown Police Department’s Operation Business Check.  Whether your Charlestown Business has a physical store front or not, registration…