City Parking Lot

New parking kiosk installed at parking lot in 100 block of N. Union.

A new parking Kiosk has been installed in the City parking lot between the 100 block of N. Union, and the 100 block of N. Central (behind Health Department).  

If you come downtown either for a court appearance, or park in the parking lot in the 100 block of N. Union, you will see that there are new procedures for pay parking.  The entire lot is now pay parking except for a few spots that are designated for the Health Department only. 

Once you park in the lot, walk to the kiosk which is on the west side of the parking lot facing Union Street.  Enter your license plate number using the keypad and then follow the prompts to pay for your parking.  The machine accepts $1 and $5 bills as well as credit cards.  CHANGE WILL NOT BE GIVEN by the machine.

• Parking Rates:
• $1 for 2 hours of parking
• $2 for 4 hours of parking

The Kiosk was activated today and all parking rates are now in effect for the Lot. 

Bicycle Safety

With the warmer temperatures,  you will likely want to get your bicycle out to get out to enjoy sunshine.  While it is a great thing to do, please include safety in your plan.  There are several things you should consider before heading out on a bike ride, or sending your children out on their bikes. 

1. You should always wear a helmet.  The majority of serious injuries that occur in bicycle accidents are as a result of a fall.  The most serious injuries are head injuries.  You can prevent becoming seriously injured or killed by wearing a helmet.  You may think it isn't "cool", but it can save your life.
2. Make sure you always carry identification with you while riding your bicycle.  If you are injured in a crash, and are unable to communicate with first responders, it may become extremely difficult to notify your family.  You can get your children "Child ID bracelets" from many different sources.  These are extremely useful if your children become separated from you even when not on their bicycles. 
3. When you get your bicycle out of storage, make sure you check it out for proper operation.  Be sure you have plenty of air in the tires, and make sure the brakes are working correctly. 

In addition to the above safety tips, there are several City Ordinances which apply specifically to bicycles.  One thing to remember is that bicycles are considered vehicles.  When riding a bicycle, you must abide by all traffic laws.  Below is a list of bicycle SPECIFIC ordinances:

• 474.02:  Riding upon seats - A person operating a bicycle shall not ride other than upon the permanent and regular seat, nor carry any other person upon the bicycle unless they are on a firmly attached and regular seat. 
• This describes double riding, riding upon the handlebars, or on pegs on the front or back of the bicycle.  All are illegal. 
• 474.03:  Attaching bicycles to other vehicles - No person riding upon a bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon the roadway.    No operator shall knowingly permit anyone to attach themselves to any vehicle while it is moving on a roadway.
• 474.04:  Riding on the right side of the roadway:  When riding a bicycle upon the roadway, you shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles.
• Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast in a single lane. ( side by side)
• 474.05:  Lights, signal devices, brakes - Every bicycle shall be equipped with the following:
• Headlight with white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front
• A red reflector on the rear visible from 600 feet to the rear when in front of lawful lower beam headlights of a vehicle
• A red tail light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear
• a colorless reflector on the front of the bicycle
• an audible warning device (bell or horn) capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet. (no sirens or whistles)
• adequate brakes
• 474.06:  Bicycle riding in business district - No person shall ride a bicycle upon the sidewalks of any street within the business district.
• business district defined:  Business district means the territory bounded by and including Baxter Street on the west, Jackson Street on the east, the Penn-Central Railroad on the north, and Elm Street on the south.  When regarding Main Street it includes the area between Grand Ave. on the north, and the Erie Railroad ( south of Vine) on the south.  When regarding Market Street, it includes Jackson Street on the east, and Collett Street on the west. 
• 474.08:  Riding unsafe bicycle prohibited - No person shall ride or operate, any bicycle that is in such an unsafe condition that a person may be endangered. 

We want you to have a great time this year on your bicycle.  Please plan ahead, and ensure you are following the applicable laws and safety recommendations.  Have a great riding season!

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Jail Remodel Update

Construction Crews are still working to remodel the old LPD Jail.

Yesterday afternoon we checked in with the team from Thomas & Marker Construction who are working hard to remove the old bars from the Jail on the 2nd Floor of the Lima Police Department.  It is an extremely difficult undertaking as you might imagine.  Jail bars are designed to be difficult to cut as you can imagine!  Here are some updated photos of their progress.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Old Jail Remodel

Crews have started construction for the remodel of the old City Jail.

The plans have been in the works for a long time, and Administrative Services personnel have been working hard to prepare the space for construction.  The time has finally come for the real work to begin. 

This week contractors have started the tedious process of removing the bars from the old jail.  The process is expected to take a couple of weeks.

Here are a few photos of the jail before the bars are removed.  We will be updating this story with new photos to show the progress that is being made on the project. 

  

N. Collett St. Stabbing

Detectives are investigating overnight Stabbing.

LPD Detectives are investigating a stabbing that left 2 people injured in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 16th.

Officers were dispatched to 319 1/2 N. Collett Street at approximately 4:20 AM on the report of 2 people being stabbed.  When officers arrived they found 2 victims with stab wounds.  The injured persons were Jewel M. Bowers, age 39 from Lima and Steven L. Robinson, age 49, also of Lima.  The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. 

Officers are seeking Bryon D. Manley, age 54 of Lima in connection with the stabbing.  Detectives and the LPD SWAT team served a search warrant at Manley's apartment in the 100 block of N. Jameson this morning. 

If you know where Bryon Manley is, or have any information about this crime, please contact the Lima Police Department immediately.  Do not approach this suspect.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.  Call LPD and provide his location, and clothing description. 

Read Across America

Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin joins other City Officials to celebrate Read Across America.

Chief Kevin Martin took time out of his day in order to spend some quality time with children at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lima today as part of the Read Across America Day.

Read Across America is celebrated every year nationwide on Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Read Across America is the signature program of the National Education Association.  In it's 17th year, the program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. 

Chief Martin was joined by several other readers, who each picked their favorite Dr. Seuss books to read to some very attentive kids!  Two of the other readers were Mayor David Berger, and  Fire Inspector Warren Pughsley.

For more information on the NEA and Read Across America, go to www.readacrossamerica.org.

 

 

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