Perrysburg residents ask to close police firing range

10/3/2006

A Maumee resident said he has collected more than 80 signatures on a petition asking city officials to close the Perrysburg Police Outdoor Firing Range, located on the grounds of the city s water pollution control facility on Green Lane.

Dan Pollock, 57, of 304 River Rd., said he plans to present his petition to Perrysburg City Council tonight at its regular meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.

According to Mr. Pollock, the outdoor firing range is too close to Orleans Park, a public piece of property on Maumee-Western Road. He said the range is incredibly noisy and presents a number of hazards to the environment and surrounding community.

Mr. Pollock, who said his home is directly across the Maumee River from the range, said the lead-based bullets and the possibility of a ricochet shot are enough to have the range closed for environmental protection.

"It s an obvious public nuisance and an obvious violation of the police department s mission statement of safety," Mr. Pollock said. "And, frankly, it s horrible to live with."

The police department referred all calls on the matter to City Administrator John Alexander.

Mr. Alexander said he would advise council to refer the issue to the service-safety committee, which will meet tomorrow at 5 p.m. He said the committee s agenda is extensive and may not be able to entertain any discussion on the range until November.

Mr. Alexander said he did not believe the range should be closed, but declined further comment.

The police department does not currently have an indoor firing range. Mr. Alexander said the outdoor range had been in use for more than 30 years.

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