Coffee With A Cop

Sargent Joe Galindo of the Milan Police Department led this month’s Coffee With A Cop and reminded attendees that this was an open forum for community members to bring up whatever they wanted to discuss. Fire Chief Daniel Urioste was also in attendance along with Milan Trustee Roseanne Lopez and a few members of the public. A community member opened up the meeting complaining about a nuisance neighbor. She was directed to seek out help from law enforcement in her jurisdiction. There was an update about the Village of Milan’s Easter event that went off successfully. Traffic control was fine, and there was ample handicapped parking. According to Fire Chief Urioste, the Fire Department was unable to attend due to scheduled training.

According to Sgt. Galindo, as the weather warms, criminal activity increases. “It’s getting warmer, so we’re out there. We’re ready.” Galindo added that recently Jesse DeHerrera, of Milan, was convicted on two felony counts - Criminal Sexual Penetration and False Imprisonment. This case spanned two years, and Galindo stated that DeHerrera was sentenced to twelve and a half years in prison.

“He will have to do 80 percent of that time plus register as a sex offender,” Galindo said. He added that he did not have to testify because Chief Ustupski and other Officers offered such strong testimony, so he was able to listen to the entire trial and actually learn a lot.

A community member asked about the majority of calls that first responders deal with, and the Fire Chief stated that medical calls topped the list. Half of those calls were drug-related. Fentanyl and alcohol being the most serious. Shoplifting, traffic incidents, and welfare checks were also top priorities.

Trustee Lopez brought up the possibility of the Village of Milan establishing its own animal care center after a community member pointed out that the Grants facility was not accepting surrenders due to overcapacity. There was a brief discussion about the problem of loose animals reproducing. The high cost to create and staff an animal care center in Milan was the reason given for why it had not yet happened.

Concerned citizens who have questions or want to share ideas to help improve the community can consider attending the next session. Coffee With A Cop happens the first Wednesday of every month at the Rec Building located at 405 Airport Road, Milan.