Mantua – It’s been a busy summer at the Mantua Police Department. Interim Chief of Police Joe Urso stepped up to fill the void left as Chief Harry Buchert recovered from surgery. In addition to his new role as Interim Chief, Officer Urso continued to serve as Department’s Student Resource Officer at Crestwood Schools. In that role, Urso facilitated a District-wide ALICE drill prior to the end of the 2014-2015 school year. This exercise helped both students and staff prepare in the event of an emergency situation.
At the same time, the department welcomed Officer James J. Carrozzi to Mantua Village Police. Carrozzi joins Mantua on a part-time basis; he formerly served there as an auxiliary officer. While the department continued smooth operations during normal day-to-day business, they also effectively policed local events ranging from the Memorial Day Parade, Soap Box Derby, Art on the Hill, and other summer activities during Chief Buchert’s absence.
During the summer months, the Department received two anonymous donations in the amounts of $100 and $250, as well as a $220 donation from New Adventures Daycare in May for the K-9 program. In addition, the program also received a $124 donation in June from the Crestwood Crochet Company, a group of second graders at Crestwood Primary School, who made and sold crocheted bracelets and sold them to classmates. In July, the fund was further bolstered by a $100 donation from the Women’s Auxiliary. In related news, the specially adapted police cruiser for Officer Joe Urso and his K-9 partner, Diablo, was placed into service this summer, as well.
As of Council’s July 21st meeting, Chief Buchert returned to service, and Officer Urso returned to his regular roles as Mantua Police Officer and Student Resource Officer, just in time for the 2015-2016 school year to begin.
