OUR PLACE
What is it with the automatic traffic light system Lake Geneva paid so much money for?
This system is set up to operate the traffic lights at Cook Street and Main, Broad and Main, Center and Main, and then down to Wells and Main. The left turn signals are supposed to let people turn left with an arrow, as long as there’s more than one car waiting. Not half the time.
Is the computer programmed with some kind of ‘whatever’ attitude? How about when you sit on Main and wait for a light to change when there’s nobody else coming from either direction on the side street? What is that? It is rumored around the city municipal building that it costs seven thousand dollars to get the company that put the system in to come out and adjust it. Where are they coming from? Peoria, or somewhere more distant? At least the new parking meters that replaced the old new parking meters don’t need a lot of maintenance like the predecessors did. That was a mess too.
Lake Geneva’s Police Chief, Mike Rasmussen, presented the Mobile Command Unit.
The police department wanted to share what was voted on and funded, and how it’s going to be used. He adroitly and genuinely verbalized the department’s appreciation, as the complex advanced rig came with an impressive price tag. The command unit was set up and available to the public and committee members for a quick tour during the committee of the whole meeting Monday night. The committee members were impressed with the MCC (as it is called informally). The function of an MCC is to provide help in an active disaster situation, whether it’s a crime, a natural disaster, or a rescue operation.
That’s what MCCs are made for, and that’s still their best primary purpose, but they can also be used for many other situations not easily foreseen. The unit was necessary, as the old unit was forty-one years old, extremely outdated, and difficult to work with. The vehicle will be used for many large-scale events hosted in the city, as well as any emergency scene requiring a structured command. The new vehicle features a flat floor slide-out, weatherproof exterior workstation, rear pneumatic mast with dual network IP cameras, a conference room, intelligence stations, and telecommunicator consoles.
The police department is grateful for and proud of the mobile command unit and very enthusiastic about showing it off. One of the first entertaining introductions of the machine to the public was at the Homecoming Parade Tailgate Party of 2021.
New MCC
Updates from the Lake Geneva Police and Fire Commission meeting.
The annual Lighted Christmas Parade through downtown Lake Geneva went efficiently and smoothly thanks to the help of everyone involved. Every possible precaution that could be thought of was taken. including help from surrounding communities. Linn, Delavan, and Walworth County sent officers to help patrol the downtown area, along with blocking access points along the parade route. The officers were extremely supportive of blocking all parking on both sides of the street along the entire parade route because it kept kids out of the street and provided a much safer environment for everyone.
With the success of this year’s parade, the organizers are going to continue blocking off the streets and parking in succeeding years. Thanks to the many generous donations the City of Lake Geneva Police Department has received, the department is also able to give each child chosen for Shop with a Cop three hundred dollars to shop and buy gifts for themselves and family members. The community support for the police and fire departments has been huge and overwhelming, especially during this pandemic recovery holiday season. It’s wonderful to see everyone come together for those protecting the community.
A little fun trivia fact from the fire department: there are six hundred fire hydrants within the City of Lake Geneva. The City of Lake Geneva Fire Department proudly has a tree on display at the Geneva Lake Museum complete with a toy fire truck, Dalmatian, and caution tape. Last year the fire department took second place so this year the department’s Christmas wish is for a first-place award. Make sure to check out the parade of trees and support the fire department with your vote to make that fine department’s Christmas wish come true.
