By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The city of Decatur is looking to move into a more modern age with an updating of numerous ordinances relating to police work.
Displaying a couple of long-used ticket and parking ticket pads used by officers, Police Chief Kevin Gerber told city council at its latest meeting that the current system is bulky, slow and, in some instances, “we don’t have a good way of enforcing them (laws),” Gerber said.
He added, “The state has a better and faster way; it’s clean and its efficient.” Putting city ordinances into that E-Ticket System would provide “a much better way of doing things.”
The chief would like to update a number of ordinances. As an example, he said, “If we’re going to keep collecting dogs, there has to be a system (of fines for repeat offenders). We get some dogs over and over.”
Currently there are no fines for repeat offenders, even though the department has to feed and shelter the animals.
“You’re not a dog sitting service,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
“We need to build enforcement,” Gerber added, referring to a number of ordinances in which there are no fines or fines that need to be elevated.
“It’s not about changing (city) laws, it’s about moving them into the (state) system,” Rickord remarked.
“We’re just updating,” Councilman Matt Dyer added.
Responding to a question from Councilwoman Jenny Shultz-Bowers, Gerber said it would be best to update ordinances that need it before going into the E-System.
City Attorney Anne Razo said, “All of these can be addressed within a single ordinance.”
So it was decided to do the updating, then move into the state system.