By L. Parsons The Winslow Police Department has earned its accreditation status and was recognized for it at last week’s Winslow City Council meeting. Last spring, Winslow Police Chief Ken Arend noted that to gain accreditation, the department had to provide evidence that it is following specific guidelines that are best policies and practices for law enforcement in the State of Arizona in policing. The process is lengthy and has been in the works for a long time. At this meeting Arend told the council, “This has been about a two-year process. There are about 170 to 180 standards that departments have to meet and we have met them all, with one exception regarding jail housing, as we do not have a jail. This is an absolute full department effort as there have been lots of changes and our gaps have been pointed out, so we know what we need to work on. This is making our department a better department. We will be certified for the next four years, but we will face annual reviews to make sure we are maintaining those state and federal guidelines.” Mayor Birdie Cano said, “I know you have all worked very hard on this accomplishment and it should be recognized and celebrated.” Arend also presented the quarterly report for the Winslow Police Department. He said, “Our crimes are down across the board. Violent crimes are down 64% from this time last year. We are seeing more larceny this quarter, but even that is down from last year. Overall, we are experiencing fewer calls for service and fewer crimes.” The Winslow Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center presented a quarterly report in which Chief Executive Officer Bob Hall reported an increase in visitors to the Winslow Visitors Center over the last six weeks. “These numbers are obviously not what we have seen in the past, but they are gradually improving. A place where we have seen a great improvement is on website hits, we are at about 41,000 hits in the last three months. That is a whole lot for us and it really shows that people are interested in what we are doing here and that people want to do more online business.” Hall also announced details on the annual Christmas parade. “The parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 20. The theme is “The Best Songs of Christmas,” and the grand marshals will be Bill and Susan Lawler.” During the call to the public portion of the meeting, Winslow resident Maree McHugh said, “My comment tonight has to do with the invocation held at the beginning of each meeting. It is presented as a prayer with Christian underpinnings. I want you to know that in our community, there is much diversity. Not only demographically but religiously as well. I would ask the city council to just be aware that not everyone prays to a Christian God so I would ask that you consider an invocation that is all inclusive and represents the diversity of our community.” Mayor Cano directed the staff to agenda a discussion regarding this issue, and the suggestion that the invocation would become a moment of silence instead.” In other business, and in the absence of councilman Rickey Jackson, the council: * Heard a status report from Winslow City Manager John Barkley in which he pointed out that three restaurants will be opening in town in the near future. A barbecue restaurant will be established at the Winslow Lindbergh Airport, a pizza restaurant will open at the corner of Second Street and Williamson Avenue and a restaurant/bar is nearing its opening date at 108 E. Second Street. * Heard the monthly finance report for June. Citywide revenues were $4.1 million bringing the year-to-date total to $21.1 million. Citywide expenditures were $2.3 million bringing the year-to-date total to $11.6 million. * Approved a renewal of the agreement between the City and Navajo County for the purpose of co-locating the Winslow Municipal Court and the Navajo County Court into the Navajo County Court building at 601 E. Third St. The City will pay the magistrate court clerk $42,827, a three percent increase from last year in accordance with the standing intergovernmental agreement. * Adopted an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real property located at 104 E. First St. with the intention of demolishing the building. A specific price has not yet been established however Barkley stated that he anticipates it to be around $16,000. * Tabled a lease agreement between the City and Josh Bolding. According to Barkley, Bolding is interested in additional properties and it would be more efficient to have the appraisals and lease agreement come all at once. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
