EMERGENCY PHONE WILL CALL GENOA POLICE

12/3/2008

Genoa Police Chief Randy Hill, left, and Mayor Mark Williams flank a new speaker phone outside the entrance to the police department that residents can use if they need emergency assistance and a Genoa police officer is unavailable. The phone rings through to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, which will then dispatch a local officer, Chief Hill said. "There are no pay phones in the area, so this is always available if somebody needs help," he said. Chief Hill, who was named chief in October, said the phone is part of his efforts to build stronger ties between the police and the community. He is instructing police to make regular checks on local businesses to establish rapport with business owners and stay on top of any crime trends. The nonemergency phone number for Genoa police is 419-855-8515 in addition to the emergency 911. Emergency phone stickers recently were mailed with utility bills. For more stickers, contact village offices.