Marion police update disaster plan
In the event of a disaster, either natural or man-made, it's vital that everyone know what they should do and what procedures should be followed.
To that end, the Marion Police Department has been busy updating its standard operating procedures for activation of a disaster and emergency center, and activation of tornado sirens.
Police Chief Michel Soyez and City Administrator Dave Mayfield told Marion City Commissioners Monday the State of Kansas was gathering information due to the national threat level which has been at high risk of terrorist attack for several weeks.
"That way the procedures are down in case something happens," Soyez said.
If there were to be a natural disaster like a tornado or a man-made disaster in Marion, the police station will be the command center. The number two location if the police station is wiped out will be the Marion County Courthouse.
However, if a tornado were to come through that wiped out the police, it's also likely it would have wiped out the courthouse first.
"The police station and courthouse are in line with each other if a tornado should follow a southwest path through the city," Soyez said.
If both Marion command centers were nonfunctional, the communication center could be moved to Hillsboro. Soyez said that city has a back-up system for the county communications.
"We would be able to continue emergency services," Soyez said.
Local schools also are reviewing their emergency procedure policies, and Marion Elementary students participated in a mock evacuation drill this past week.
Activities this week:
Feb. 17: Officers received a report of a dog running at large, but were unable to capture the animal. Individuals selling items door-to-door without a permit were located, and agreed to buy a permit before continuing their sales. An officer checked a suspicious vehicle left at a business overnight. Everything was OK.
Feb. 18: An officer investigated a possible burglary. It turned out the window had been broken accidentally.
Feb. 19: An officer investigated suspicious activity at the Southwestern Bell Telephone building on Lawrence Street, and assisted Marion Elementary School with evacuation drills.
Thursday: Officers conducted traffic control for Life Watch, and continued investigating an arson case.
Friday: A presentation was given to the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Officers were in district court for several cases. Two warnings for defective tag lights and a warning for a defective left turn signal was issued, along with a citation for driving left of center. An officer assisted a motorist with vehicle problems at Kellison and Eisenhower, and issued a warning for failure to activate headlights when required.
Saturday: An officer issued two warnings for speeding. Officers caught kids trying to roll large rocks into the spring in the park. They also responded to a 911 hang-up and found everything was OK. It was children playing with the phone. Officers investigated harassing phone calls to a local business.
Soyez said his department was doing its best to stop vandalism of the spring. However, in the incident reported Saturday, Soyez said it was a case of some younger kids just trying to have fun.
Sunday: An officer and city employee assisted a citizen in getting their vehicle back on the roadway after it slid off in the snow. Officers conducted traffic control while the downtown Main Street area was cleared of snow. Officer assisted a stranded motorist at Eisenhower and U.S.-56. Officer issued a citation for driving on a suspended license.
