
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 10, 1994                   TAG: 9410140003
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

POLICE-OVERTIME FUND PROPOSED IN RADFORD

Responding to a City Council request for "a crusade" to check cars for city stickers, Police Chief A.C. Earles has proposed setting up a special fund to pay officers who volunteer to work overtime for decal enforcement duty. Council will consider Earle's suggestion Monday evening.

On Aug. 22, council approved Councilwoman Polly Corn's recommendation asking Earles to come up with a plan to promote greater compliance with the city's sticker law. Corn suggested police set up roadblocks to "stop every car," if necessary.

In a memorandum to City Manager Robert Asbury outlining his idea, Earles said his department would be hard put "under normal circumstances" to assign an officer to check decals. With his force already four officers short, he explained, "it is even more unlikely that officers could be spared" for decal duty.

In a subsequent memorandum to Asbury, Earles pointed out that as off-street parking has become more available, "fewer and fewer tickets have been issued" for decal violations. City Attorney John Spiers has warned council that police cannot check stickers on cars parked on private property "unless they think there's criminal activity."

Earles said police already conduct two citywide canvasses and random road checks each year to find violators. They've ticketed 59 since May, he said.

Also at Monday's meeting, acting Radford University President Charles Owens is scheduled to present a check to the city as the university's voluntary contribution toward the cost of fire, rescue squad and police services.

Council also is expected to approve an ordinance creating a permanent Radford Environmental Improvement Commission to oversee the city's annual Cleanin' and Greenin' and environmental awareness month activities. The panel would have nine members appointed by council.

Other agenda items include a request to award a contract for $65,000 to repair the municipal swimming pool in Bisset Park and a revised ordinance governing Bingo games and raffles that reflects recent changes in state law.

City Council meets in council chambers at the Municipal Building Monday at 7:30 p.m.

by CNB