Chelsea News

Chelsea
Citizen Observer Patrol

Press Release: City of Chelsea – Citizen Observer Patrol – November 13, 2002

Released by Bill Weldon, COP #10, phone 965-1032

Chelsea City Council Recognizes C.O.P.’s

At the regular meeting of the Chelsea City Council on November 5^th, three members of the Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol were recognized. The group’s coordinator, Jay Jerman, was officially honored for receiving the Citizen Initiative Award from the National Association of Citizens on Patrol recently in Corona, California. Rod Jones and Donald Shirley were presented with plaques and merit ribbons for assisting the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office during an investigation of a series of burglaries in the area resulting in several arrests.

The Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol (C.O.P.) is an all volunteer organization sponsored by the City of Chelsea and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. It is composed of Chelsea citizens who, after receiving training, patrol neighborhoods and business areas in Chelsea to help deter crime and to assist in emergencies such as auto accidents.

For further information on the COP program call 281-8665.

Certificate of Recognition

Bill Weldon & Philip Hodgens

At 3:45 AM on Sunday, April 5, 1999, while on routine patrol, Bill and Philip observed a vehicle turn westbound from Highway 47 into the eastbound lane of Highway 280. Bill and Philip recognized what could have been a life threatening situation and immediately reported the situation to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and proceeded to follow the vehicle in question from a safe distance. Shelby County deputies quickly responded and apprehended the driver and charged him with (1) driving on the wrong side of the road, (2) driving while intoxicated and (3) driving without a driver’s license. Congratulations to Bill and Philip for their alert observation and quick reporting which may have avoided a serious accident or possible fatality.

Citizen Observer Patrol

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Jay Jerman - Organizer Glen Autry – Town Council Earl Niven - Mayor

Certificate of Recognition

Alicia Johnson, COP #4

Easter Sunday, 7 PM, April 23, 2000, Alicia Johnson and Jay Jerman were on patrol proceeding east on Hwy. 39 approaching Hwy. 36. The roads were wet and there was a light misty rain. An oncoming car was turning left into the subdivision across from Sis' Store. The car behind the one turning applied the brakes and began sliding sideways off the road into the drainage ditch. As it fell into the ditch it rolled over and landed upside down with the lights on and the motor running. Steam or smoke was rising from the underside of the vehicle. We were very concerned about the possibility of fire with occupants trapped inside the vehicle.

We immediately pulled up near the scene and turned on our emergency lights and attempted to call 911 on our cell phone. For some unknown reason the cell phone would not work in that location. Jay Jerman ran to the pay phone at Sis' store and notified 911. Alicia Johnson ran to the vehicle to aid the occupant(s). The front door was jammed shut. With the aid of a passerby she was able to get the rear door partially open. Alicia crawled into the vehicle and talked with the driver and sole occupant, a 17-year-old female, and learned that she was apparently not seriously injured. She instructed the occupant to turn off the engine and helped her undo her seatbelt and crawl out of the car.

Citizen Observer Patrol
Special Recognition for
Special Performance

_________________ _____________________ _______________
Jay Jerman - Organizer Glen Autry – Town Council Earl Niven - Mayor