Public Safety Report

Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes and Fire Chief George Watkins gave the following activity reports for the preceding month to the city commission at their Sept 8 regular scheduled meeting.

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Varnes told commissioners that during the month of August the Police Department responded to 194 calls, made five direct arrests, served 15 warrants, worked two automobile accidents, and issued 17 traffic citations.

He also reported that during his department’s nightly business checks, officers found eight businesses unlocked. Varnes stated that of the owners he couldn’t contact, his officers walked through and secured their buildings.

FIRE DEPARTMENT
Watkins reported that during the month of August his department responded to four Life Flight calls, had one false alarm, worked two automobile accidents, and responded to 18 First Responder calls.

He also informed the commission that there had been a discussion among the volunteers to put back into service the old 1950 fire engine for use during parades and at fundraising events.

Watkins then requested and received board approval to borrow a fire engine from the St. George Island Fire Department and to cover the vehicle under the city’s insurance policy while in use by the city. He explained that his department’s Engine #2 will be out of service in October for needed repairs and that he needed board approval to borrow a unit from the neighboring community until the repairs are completed.

Watkins also reported that in their continued fundraising efforts, the department raised $84 during a boot drive at the Sheriff Department’s recent fishing tournament and $2,228 from the sale of scrap metal removed from the Captain Fuzz. The Captain Fuzz was the half-sunken derelict vessel docked at Riverfront Park in downtown Apalachicola, eventually removed by the city, and hauled off for disposal.