Jennifer Arbogast, Glasgow Police chief, speaks to the Glasgow City Council about her department’s status and issues it faces. Arbogast gave the presentation on Monday, May 24, 2021.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW, Ky. — Though the coronavirus pandemic continues, much of the effects are being seen in various aspects of life. Crime activity in Glasgow appears to be linked to the crippling pandemic.
Jennifer Arbogast, Glasgow Police chief, said the mental impacts from the pandemic appear to be a large influence in a recent upswing in violent criminal activity.
“There’s more violence right now,” Arbogast said. “There’s something going on all the time.”
Arbogast said certain illicit drugs have also diffused into the area. The Barren River Drug Task Force also recently provided similar information to the Cave City Council.
“We’re getting pure fentanyl in Glasgow – pure fentanyl. We’re getting heroin. We’re getting LSD. We’re getting ecstasy,” Arbogast said. “It’s here.”
Glasgow Police opened a homicide investigation Sunday after a Glasgow woman was killed along Ann Avenue. Melissa A. Miller, 54, was shot by an unknown suspect and later died at T.J. Samson Hospital.
Glasgow Police confirmed Tuesday that Miller was shot to death after she attempted to sell an item. Police did not specify what the item was.
Calls like Tuesday’s shooting require several officers to be on scene, the chief said.
Arbogast explained to the council Monday that her department is nearly staffed. One position remains open.
“It is getting harder and harder to get people to want to do this job,” Arbogast said.
Several recent calls have required all personnel to be available. A recent standoff along Humble Avenue warranted the use of Glasgow Police and the Barren County Sheriff’s Office.
A councilperson asked whether sergeants responded to calls too, and the chief said every department official takes calls – even the major and chief.
“You do need more officers on the street,” Arbogast said.
The Glasgow Police Department is permitted 40 positions, but that number is underserving the community. The police chief said she has discussed a grant with April Russell, city grant writer, that could enable more officers to be hired.
The police department expects to have several positions available by the year’s end. Two other officers are retiring by September. Arbogast said there are a few recruits, but the time between the police academy and servicing the community is approximately 1 ½ years.
Several officers work for Glasgow’s department for a short term and progress to other departments, the chief said. The turnover rate is a challenge, but the chief said several officers are dedicated to the community.
“You don’t want your department to just be a training ground. You want it to be a community-oriented thing where all of you know us by name and we know the people,” Arbogast said. “We want it to be like a family.”
