A break-in at the concessions building at Community Homecoming Park in Springfield Township has resulted in the arrest of five people, including one adult and another as young as 10.
At the August 14 meeting, Administrator Mike Hampton informed the trustees about the break-in and presented footage from recently installed security cameras that showed the suspects gaining entry to the building and ransacking it.
The incident occurred on July 24, he explained, noting that all five are being charged with felonies due to the extent of the damages and the items stolen.
The township’s new cameras also feature a sound system, providing additional voice recognition for the police.
“The video will be used in court,” Mr. Hampton said.
He showed parts of the video to the trustees, but not the entire footage, pointing out the incident went on “for quite some time.”
The suspects initially approached the building without any facial covering before they realized there were cameras so put on hoodies, Mr. Hampton said.
If anyone came to the park while they were there, another youth would communicate that someone was nearby by whistling, according to the administrator.
He said they tried to get into one door before realizing it was hooked to an alarm system so entered via another entry door, using the youngest and smallest suspect, whom they recruited.
After ransacking and destroying a number of items, the group went to the park gazebo with a stolen hot plate from concessions where they apparently enjoyed the food before leaving.
“The police pulled a lot of DNA from the items they left there,” Mr. Hampton said, noting that from the way they worked together, it was apparent the group had scouted the building beforehand.
In total, there were more than $3,000 in physical damages and goods stolen, said the administrator, adding that the township will seek full restitution.
Trustee Tom Anderson Jr. expressed appreciation to the deputies for finding the quintet and commended the administration on its choice of security cameras .
“That’s pretty impressive. Those are good cameras.”
Zoning Report
Jacob Barnes, planning director, discussed text amendments and a variance request as part of his zoning report for July.
Mr. Barnes said the text amendment regarding solar regulation is in process and the Toledo Lucas County plan commission has recommended approval.
The Springfield Meadows overlay text amendments also are in process and were scheduled to be heard by the county plan commission on August 23.
Mr. Barnes noted that July “continued to be very busy with zoning violations.”
He expressed appreciation to the public services department for assisting with several issues including mowing and parking violations.
The planning director also provided an overview of department activity last month. They issued 18 permits and collected fees of $1,420.
Issued last month were permits for signs, six, followed by accessory structures, three; new dwellings, decks, fencing and commercial remodel, two apiece, and shed, one.
“August is starting out very busy with almost this many already,” he added.
He concluded his report, informing the trustees that he graduated from the Ohio Township Association’s first leadership academy.
“It was an intense 14month course covering many areas of township leadership and how to deal with situations,” he explained.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Learned from Mr. Hampton that a dispute involving a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk and a resident has been mitigated.
According to the Ohio Revised Code section 4511.711, “no person shall drive any vehicle, other than a bicycle or an electric bicycle if the motor is not engaged, upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area.”
Mr. Hampton said the resident had complained to a bike rider–who for safety and to avoid the high speed traffic– rode her bicycle on the sidewalk of a township road past the resident’s home.
The administrator explained the law to both parties and advised the bicyclist that if the resident continues to complain or tries to stop her, to contact the township and they will send out an officer.
•Accepted the retirement resignation of Captain David Bennett of the fire department, effective August 5.
“I never thought the day would ever come that I would be writing my retirement letter from what I believe to be the greatest job I’ve ever had,” Captain Bennett wrote.
He added, “It has been a great honor to serve the residents and businesses of Springfield Township.”
“We accept his retirement with thanks for his service,” said Trustee Bob Bethel.
•Heard from Mr. Hampton that the Bancroft Street and McCord Road roundabout is on track for a build in 2024.
The administrator will pursue an agreement with the county for the township to maintain the center island as it has done with other township roundabouts.
Regarding the Dorr Street and Centennial roundabout, Mr. Hampton said the University of Toledo will not relinquish maintenance of that island.
•Paid bills from July 25 to August 14 totaling $428,383, which included an escrow payment to Concordia Condominiums Association of $110,788, and an Ohio Public Works Commission road project payment of $103,754 to Bowers Asphalt and Paving Inc.
They also approved electronic bills from July 21 to August 10 of $306,197, including a biweekly payroll of $268,042.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, August 28, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. It also may be viewed via livestream at springfield township.net.
