Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Riley County Health Department Advisory Council Meeting
June 28, 2014 Submitted by Sue Cohen
The Council continued with their in depth investigation of
binge drinking as it occurs in the County in order to help discern how much of a health problem binge drinking is in the the county and to determine if the Health Department should have a role in dealing with it.
Brad Schoen, Director of the Police Department, was present to discuss St. Patty’s day and the Police Department’s take on it. Ironically, the day I began this report was only several days after the Manhattan Mercury’s news story in which the City Commission suggested that the Police Department dip into their reserve to manage the deficiency of funding for this year. This is pertinent because the deficiency is almost equal to the Police Department’s cost in dealing with St. Patty’s day.
Mr. Schoen estimated cost of the period, some thirty six hours starting Friday night and ending Sunday morning to be $50,000 in actual cost and not counting any administrative time in planning but which are actually part of the costs.
Most of that cost is in the overtime pay required as every member of the police force is on duty for the duration. Outside help came from as far away as Hays and Emporia sends their entire bike brigade and puts in 12 hour shifts. Mr. Schoen stated that they could actually use 4 to 5 more.
There are also “soft” costs, so called, calculated to be around 7 to 10 thousand. Soft costs are things like equipment to be bought in some cases and set up so that dispatching can be done from Aggieville.
As to health events, Mr. Schoen says they do treat some though their main issue is safety (which seems to me to qualify for a “health” qualification.) They deal with health events not treated by EMS or the Hospital such as consequences of fights when the person involved does not go to EMS or prevention of “bad outcomes” such as finding a person lying in their vomit and worry about aspiration. The PD does work a lot with EMS. Mr. Schoen also noted that alcohol poisoning is a significant risk and can easily be missed. So far there has not been reports of sexual assaults though he surmised that there are probably those who regret some bad decisions. There were more arrests this year as have implemented zero tolerance for violence.
Karen McCulloh asked if there seemed to be a younger crowd this year. Mr. Schoen thought there were people in their 20’s but he didn’t think there were many younger than that. He did agree that there is a spread into the neighborhoods especially north and east. He also stated, in answer to a question that they are prepared in case of a riot by having riot control equipment stations close by and that, though not recently, the department has had training in riot control.
Lyle Butler, from the Chamber of Commerce, answered a question about the motels and hotels reactions to the day. He said that at first the hotels/motels were very much against it and wanted it stopped but that has completely changed as it is now one of their biggest weekends not unlike graduation etc. They jack up the prices. Major problem is, as Mr. Schoen sees it in relation to the motels/hotels is getting back to them late at night in the dark. This is especially true of those out on east Highway 24. Transportation (taxis) are hard to get so drunken persons decide to walk and in the dark it is a tragedy just waiting to happen. He suggested that it would be helpful if the motels could in someway make transportation available.
Mr. Butler said the numbers of occupancy are very high. The restaurants, especially in Aggieville, do very well though other business find they need to close their business that day. The Chamber’s position is that “the greatest care should be taken to protect citizens and participants but not to stop it.”
Mr. Schoen closed his discussion with this statement. “It is not a healthy environment”.
Debby Nuss noted that Universities, to increase funding, have started selling beer at sports activities. Mr, Schoen noted that K-State is experimenting with that at the baseball games.
In other business:
Lisa Ross gave the director’s report in Brenda Nichol’s absence. She introduced a new staff member, Gail Challman, new Nursing Supervisor. She will be managing the Flu clinics as well as other duties. Planning for that is well underway. Letters will be sent to local business etc. offering to do Flu clinics at their place of business. Secondly, the preliminary report of the County Wide Health Assessment has been started and participants have been encouraged to turn in their data. Ms. Ross also stated that grants have been received to the amount of $418,532 for the following: State Formula, Emergency Preparation, Child care licensing, Maternal/Child Health, and Family Planning. On July 3rd Brenda Nichols, administrator, will present to the County Commission a plan to cooperate with the Topeka Health Department to share a HIV Care Manager which will make sense fiscally and will be helpful for both departments.
