Gasoline incident livens up Halloween
Except for a gasoline incident, Halloween night was fairly routine, according to Marion Police Chief Michel Soyez.
"We have to take this incident a little more seriously since it did involve a flammable substance," Soyez told members of the Marion City Commission Monday afternoon.
An unknown individual or individuals piled several combustible items in the area of Lincoln and Main streets intending to burn them with gasoline, Soyez reported.
Although no fire was lit, the gasoline had to be cleaned off the street.
"This was a case of a combustible material on our streets and there could be problems with people driving through it," he said.
Police officers were called in to block off the intersection of Lincoln and Main so the Marion Fire Department could wash away the gasoline, Soyez said.
"It wasn't serious — this time, but it could have been," he added. "The outhouses we don't mind, but gasoline we have to look at a lot more seriously."
Soyez also reported an increase in dog-running-at-large reports and other related incidents.
"This seems to be an ongoing problem," he said. "We've been receiving quite a bit of feedback from the community that they're wanting something done about it."
Soyez reported that 75 to 80 percent of the citations written last week were for dog related incidents.
"We'd just like to remind people to be a little more responsible for their animals," he said.
Mayor Eloise Mueller questioned whether the police had received any cat complaints.
Soyez said the department had, however, the city does not have any ordinance pertaining to cats running at large although some cities do.
In Marion, Soyez said he has people with cat problems call the veterinary clinics.
"Cats can be a nuisance especially in large numbers," he agreed. "It would be hard for a city our size to do all the things you would need to do to enforce that kind of ordinance."
In other department activities this week, Soyez reported:
Oct. 28 — Two dog running-at-large citations and two no dog license citations were issued. Officers also worked a non-injury hit-and-run accident in the 100 block of North Fourth Street.
Oct. 29 — Officers received a dog-at-large complaint in the 300 block of South Lincoln, but the officer was unable to locate the animal. A theft report was taken at Marion High School and another was taken on a stolen bicycle. Officers received a complaint regarding non-licensed salesmen. The individuals were located and escorted to the city office. Also, an officer gave a warning for a "J" turn.
Oct. 30 — Officers were involved in municipal court and worked a non-injury accident involving a postal vehicle.
Oct. 31 — Officers handed out Halloween candy to children; wrote two citations for spinning tires on Main Street; and gave one warning for speeding. Officers also wrote five curfew violation tickets; issued a citation for driving on restrictions; a warning for failure to stop at a stop sign, and failure to use headlights.
Nov. 1 — The department received two dog barking complaints in the 300 block of South Lincoln, where an officer met with both dog owners.
Nov. 2 — A citation was issued for parking on the wrong side of the street and warnings for no headlights and an illegal U-turn. An officer took a theft report in the 700 block of South Freeborn, provided traffic control for the annual Toy Run, and assisted a prisoner transport vehicle that was having mechanical problems. Also, officers received a dog complaint in the Fairway Drive area. The dog was located and picked up. Citations were issued for no license and running-at-large.
Nov. 3 — An officer responded to a situation where an individual was threatening another with a knife. Officers are looking into alternative living situations for the individuals. Also, a theft report was taken in the 700 block of South Cedar.
