By Carol Stiffler
Plans to obtain a part-time deputy to patrol the Village of Newberry are moving forward following the Newberry Village Council’s meeting on Tuesday, September 16.
Luce County Sheriff Eric Gravelle presented a proposal for dedicated policing services in the village. Under the plan, School Resource Officer Deputy Zach Kitzman would patrol the village during non-school hours. These 680 hours annually would cost the village about $23,000 a year, and would provide a bit of relief for the sheriff department’s tight budget.
Kitzman was selected for the part-time position for his “levelheaded” and “community-oriented” approach to policing. He would work dedicated village hours when school is not in session, like on holidays, snow days, and in the summer. His hours could be flexible so he can sometimes work afternoons, community events, or evening football games. Similarly, the sheriff department could request Kitzman’s time during major emergencies.
While working for the village, Kitzman would handle village-specific calls and conduct related investigations. This would allow other deputies in the Luce County Sheriff Department to focus on the rest of the 900-square-mile county.
The partnership between the village and the sheriff department would allow deputies to enforce village ordinances, such as noise and fireworks complaints, which they currently cannot address.
A draft contract is in the works, with a possible start date of Dec. 1.
