Recent Narcan Training is Already Paying off in North Judson

North Judson Police Chief Kelly Fisher reported that merely two days after completing Narcan training, one officer with the North Judson Police department has already used the life-saving skills that he acquired.

Fisher said that earlier this week, the department received some Narcan kits and the training required to use them from Starke County Public Health Nurse Frank Lynch. They completed the training on Tuesday. Around 6 p.m. Thursday night, Officer Rico Simpson was dispatched on a call about non-responsive overdose victim. He utilized Narcan, also known as Naloxone, and the individual was resuscitated.  Continue reading

North Judson Town Council Considers Proposal to Add K-9 Officer to NJ’s Full-Time Police Force

Town Marshal Kelly Fisher presented a request to purchase a dual-purpose K-9 officer during Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting.

Fisher addressed the fact that one of their part-time officers, Scott Beishuizen, does have a K-9 but she feels having one on the full-time force would be advantageous.  She explained that after conducting some research, she found that the Peru-based organization Vohne Liche Kennels has the best available training program. She also mentioned that Vohne Liche dogs are less likely to be involved in law suits due to the level of training they have. She presented council members with booklets detailing what the organization offers.

Fisher said, “The course teaches the K-9 and the handler the proper techniques to be a successful team and what we what we thought would fit best and what would give us the most for our money would be to get a dual-purpose K-9.” Continue reading

Starke County Law-Enforcement Agencies Join State-Wide Initiative

For the first time in awhile, the law-enforcement agencies of Starke County are joining the state-wide Operation Pull Over campaign. The initiative started on Friday and will run through December 3rd. During this time, there will be increased patrols where officers will be on the look out for motorists violating the seat belt and impaired driving laws.

North Judson Town Marshall Kelly Fisher said her officers will be joining members of the Hamlet and Knox Police Departments as well as the Starke County Sheriff’s Office with the operation. She said it’s important to have this blitz at this time of the year since more people are out on the road visiting friends and family for the holidays.

One bit of advice she had for motorists was to have a designated driver if they plan to be attending a party where they’ll be drinking. She explained the procedure of what happens when an officer has probable cause to pull a vehicle over for driving under the influence. Continue reading

Local Police Departments & K-9 Officers Join Forces for High School Sweep

The North Judson Police Department’s K-9 officer, Gunner, was re-certified last week according to North Judson Town Marshal Kelly Fisher. She mentioned his re-certification during her department report during the North Judson Town Council meeting on Monday night.

She also informed the council that on September 29th, three police departments joined forces to conduct a sweep through the North Judson High School building and parking lot to see if any drugs or other illegal substances were on the property.

Fisher said the North Judson Police Department’s reserve officer Scott Beishuizen was on the scene with his K-9, Gunner. The Hobart Police Department’s Matt Dasel assisted with their K-9, Jack and Knox City Police Officer Chad Dulin had K-9 O’Neill there to help as well. Continue reading

North Judson Police Department Seeks Fourth Full-Time Officer

The North Judson Police Department is accepting applications for a new officer now through October 11th. Town Marshall Kelly Fisher addressed the Town Council Monday night, saying the department is looking to complete their force with a fourth officer.

Currently the full-time force consists of Fisher and Officer Frank Thomas and Officer Rico Simpson. Fisher said she is very proud of the work being done by the full-time and part-time officers but an additional full-time position would allow everything to fall into place. Continue reading

North Judson Town Council Approves Phone Upgrades, Discusses Website Plans

North Judson Council President Wendy Hoppe; Police Officer Frank Thomas; Council Members Josh Brown, John Rowe, Jane Ellen Felchuk, James Young; Town Attorney Justin Schramm, Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins

The Town of North Judson is looking to save some money by upgrading its phone system. Last week, the town council approved a proposal from IT company Datacrates to install an Internet-based phone system.

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