The Rupert Police Department has hired a new officer to serve those in the town.
John Sergeon was welcomed to the force during the Thursday, January 13, meeting of the Rupert Town Council. Sergeon had formerly served the town of Rainelle as their police chief for a short time back in 2021.
In addition to Sergeon, Rupert officers include Police Chief Charles Burkhamer and Shane Fields, who is currently at the West Virginia State Police Academy receiving his certification. He should be back sometime in March, according to Burkhamer.
“All officers that we have right now are certified,” added Rupert Mayor Steve Baldwin.
In other police department business,
– Baldwin provided the monthly police citation report.
Total fines amount to $16,349, Baldwin said. Of that, $5259.88 has been collected. Total citations for the fiscal year amount to $125,388 with an outstanding balance of $45,829, as of January 13;
– The department is continuing to enroll people for their elderly and handicapped check-in program, which has been a great success for those in the community.
Anyone who would like to be included in this new program simply has to come to Rupert Town Hall and fill out a contact information sheet. For those who cannot make it to town hall, they may call Burkhamer at 304-392-5682, and ask to be placed on the check-in list.
Once a person is on that list, officers will stop by, or call, on a regular basis just to make sure everything is going okay. If a person ever wishes to be taken off the list, all they have to do is call and cancel;
– The department is planning to put together a Neighborhood Watch Program. In a later interview with The West Virginia Daily News, Burkhamer stated that he is currently welcoming volunteers to register for the program.
He said he would like to hold a meeting for all those who are interested in becoming a part of the neighborhood watch as soon as February, weather permitting.
To volunteer, contact Burkhamer at town hall.
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