Briefs: Crestline Police recertification, plea for blood donors, Optimist Club anniversary

Crestline PD receives state recertification

COLUMBUS — The Crestline Police Department is one of five agencies to achieve recertification by the Office of Criminal Justice Services for state standards established by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. The recertification process takes place on a revolving three- to four-year cycle.Overall, there are 618 certified agencies throughout Ohio that have met the initial standards. Additionally, 87.5% of all law enforcement officers in Ohio are employed by an agency that is involved in some form of the certification process.

The collaborative was formed in 2015 to create uniform minimum standards for Ohio’s law enforcement agencies. The first two standards were developed by the collaborative in 2015 to improve the trust between citizens and law enforcement officers.

Additional standards established by the collaborative address community engagement, bias-free policing, body-worn cameras, vehicular pursuits, telecommunicator training, employee misconduct, mass protests, agency wellness, interaction with minors, interaction with people in crisis, and property room management and evidence control. The standards are the first of their kind in Ohio and were developed and established by the collaborative as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen community and police relations.

Red Cross seeks donors to ease blood and platelet shortage

The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.

The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and patient needs.

At least 10 blood drives are scheduled in Richland County through Oct. 20. The Red Cross offers three ways to make a donation appointment: Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App; visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who give through Oct. 20 will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email.

Noon Optimist Club celebrating its anniversary with free Carrousel rides

The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club is celebrating 100 years of service to the community in October. The club was formed in October 1923 and is still going strong.

As part of its Centennial Celebration, the club is providing free rides for kids and adults from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Richland Carrousel Park. It will also be holding a garage sale fundraiser event at the Carrousel from 3 to 7 p.m.

Another project that has taken over a year to fulfill is in conjunction with the Buckeye Imagination Museum (formerly Little Buckeye). The Mansfield Noon Optimist Club has donated $50,000 to build a children’s playground at the museum. The playground equipment is accessible from the Third Street entrance. A dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1:30 pm. on Oct. 11.

Mansfield News Journal