Police

Thanksgiving Safe Arrival

This Thanksgiving Holiday, make sure to buckle up, Kansans. If you don’t make occupant protection a habit now start a new tradition!

Beginning Saturday, November 18th through Sunday, Nov 26th, 2023 The Galena Police Department will join many other law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas *THANKGIVING SAFE ARRIVAL traffic enforcement campaign. Although all Kansas Traffic Laws will be enforced, this extra provision will be actively enforcing our occupant protection laws.

The Galena Police Department will also provide education that serves as a reminder that BUCKLING UP SAVES LIVES.

Don’t be a turkey, buckle up, every trip, every time. Your friends and family are counting on you.

Crashes Can Happen Anywhere

Motorists may be surprised to learn that over half of the fatality and serious injury crashes occur on local roads with half of those crashes involving only a single vehicle. Rural roads have the most fatal crashes in Kansas despite accounting for only 40% of total state miles traveled. The Kansas Drive to Zero Coalition, supported by the Kansas Department of Transportation, and law enforcement agencies want to bring awareness to drivers who may think traveling on local roads comes with less risk.

According to Chief Charles, “Safe driving behaviors are the number one-way motorists can protect themselves and their occupants traveling anywhere.”

Driving too fast for conditions, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to properly use seatbelts and child restraint protection severely increase the severity of a crash. “What drivers need to know is nearly 86 percent of local road crashes take place in good weather conditions, and a majority of these are on straight and level roads so remember drive defensively, buckle up and phone down- every trip, every time.” Said Chief Charles.

For more information on local roads and other safe driving programs visit https://kansasdrivetozero.com.

***

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose- is Just Ahead

Drivers are advised that during the period of August 19 through Labor Day, September 4, The Galena Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet one person is killed in a drunk driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination.

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers to take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, neighbors. Always wear your seat belt it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

You can count on this agency to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year in order to save lives.

####

Police Officer Position

The City of Galena, KS is looking for professional, self-motivated, community oriented, individuals to apply for Patrol Officer positions.

TYPE: Full Time & Part Time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must be 21 years of age, a United States Citizen, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and good moral character. Applicant cannot have felony or domestic violence arrests. Law Enforcement certified preferred but not mandatory.

The City of Galena is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants will be required to successfully pass a background investigation, physiological, physical, and drug and alcohol testing.

OBTAINING AN APPLICATION: To obtain an Application; Print from City Web Site: www.Galenaks.gov or request and return to: City Clerk’s Office at (620)783-5265, 211 W 7^th Street Galena, KS 66739.

Overdose Rescue Kit

The Galena Police Department has installed a NALOXBOX (Overdose Rescue Kit) in the Municipal Building. This box is located next to the water fountain near the main entrance of the building.

This box was provided by DCCCA and NALOXBOX in an effort to help prevent accidental overdose and help save life’s within our community.

Galena City Ordinance on Fireworks

As the 4th of July approaches people are starting to ask about the city ordnance on fire works with in the City Limits.

Fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am through 10:30 pm on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. On July 4th they can be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am and ending at midnight.

BOTTLE ROCKETS PROHIBITED. Bottle rockets and other similar self-propelled firework or fireworks devices consisting of a tube and attached guiding stock or rod shall not be sold or discharged in the city.

DISCHARGE ON STREETS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge, ignite or fire any fireworks upon any public street, alley or avenue or in any park or public place within the city.

THROWING PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, cast or propel fireworks of any kind in the direction of or into the path of any animal, person or group of persons, or from, in the direction of or into any vehicle of any kind.

Suspect In Custody Following Tuesday Night Shooting Death of Riverton Man

Just before 9:00pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, emergency personnel were dispatched to a shooting in the 800 block of Columbus Street in Galena.

Cherokee County Emergency Medical Personnel attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful.

Levi Porter, age 27, of Riverton, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cherokee County Deputy Coroner.

Billy Barker, 49, of Galena, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of 2nd Degree Murder.

Formal charges have not yet been filed.

The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Galena Police Department.

You Drink. You Drive. You Lose- is Just Ahead

Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, The Galena Police Department will join other police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. According to Chief Charles, The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers to take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, and neighbors. Also always wear your seat belt, it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

You can count on this agency to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this enforcement campaign but all through the year in order to save lives.

Independence Day (4th of July)

As the 4th of July approaches people are starting to ask about the city ordnance on fire works with in the City Limits.

Fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am through 10:30 pm on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. On July 4th they can be discharged between the hours of 9:00 am and ending at midnight.

Toys for Kids

On November 26, 2021, members of the Galena Police Department, Galena Fire Department and the City Clerks office participated in a Boot Block at 7^th and Main Street in Galena to raise money for the annual Toys for Kids program. During the Boot Block we were able to collect over $2900.00 for this program.

Members of the City Clerks office, the City Court, and the Public Works Department used this money to buy toys for the Toys for Kids Program.

On December 14, 2021, Santa visited the Spring Grove School to pass out toys for each child enrolled.

We would like to thank the community their support and donating to help make this another successful year for the program.