Marshal suggests CAD messages

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 1/20/21

BELLE — During the Jan. 12 city meeting, Marshal Joe Turnbough told a concerned citizen that he would like Maries County Dispatch to report all city of Belle calls through him — as he is …

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Marshal suggests CAD messages

Posted

BELLE — During the Jan. 12 city meeting, Marshal Joe Turnbough told a concerned citizen that he would like Maries County Dispatch to report all city of Belle calls through him — as he is the supreme officer in town.

“Mr. Mayor, I think it’s important that the council know that I am not the dog catcher, I am not an abatement officer, I am not a city patrolman, I am a city marshal. I am the acting chief of police of a department you obviously got rid of. That is the office I ran for,” Turnbough told aldermen on the heels of answering questions that the Maries County Sheriff’s Department could take care of nuisance violations as well as he could.

Aldermen and board members both asked Turnbough if he is receiving CAD dispatches from Maries County to respond to citizens’ calls.

“I wish I got a CAD message on everything,” Turnbough told 2021 Ward 2 alderman candidate Kayla Bray. “Everything goes through Maries County, they will send me the citizen’s number for me to get in contact with them.”

Maries County gave Turnbough an extra car radio several months ago and the city paid to have the equipment installed into Turnbough’s police cruiser. However, Turnbough said he only drove the vehicle maybe 15 miles during the month of December. Maries County also had extra handheld radios for the marshal that was brought up during a previous meeting.

“If something drastic happens, I want to know about it,” Turnbough said. “I wish I got a CAD message on everything, not just nuisance violations.”

The marshal is referring to special messages sent to his phone, not just on the car or handheld radios.

“Being a city marshal, I think it is important that they do not leave me out,” Turnbough continued. “If I am aware, I am want to be a part. Unfortunately, I am not.”

Mayor Steve Vogt asked Turnbough if he has spoken with Deputy Scott John about being added to the CAD messages.

“You signed a contract, but I think I should be informed,” Turnbough said.

Alderman Sundi Jo Graham asked Turnbough again if he had spoken with John about being added to the CAD messages.

“I’d like to in the future,” Turnbough said. “If you’re going to kick someone’s door in, I want to know.”

Turnbough said the sheriff’s department agreed to police the town while he remains in charge of the police department — but there is no one there for him to oversee. He asked if the board had ever hired a dog catcher.

“You are the dog catcher,” Alderman Jeanette Struemph said.