The Springfield City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, May 20 to approve the appointments of Fire Chief Nicholas Zummo and Police Chief Joseph Behl.
While Chief Behl assumes his duties beginning May 31 while he awaits Chief Ken Scarlette’s pending retirement, Zummo’s responsibilities as Fire Chief were merely made official, as he has served as acting chief of the Springfield Fire Department since Saturday, May 17.
The nominations for both Zummo and Behl were heartily welcomed by their peers; both men have served in their departments for many years, and are well-regarded.
“Growing up in the fire service, it’s become a family,” said Zummo, “It is part of my family… it’s a great honor to be here.”
Reading from a speech he had prepared, Behl stressed the importance of bridging the gap with the wider public: “We know how critical our public trust is, and we will work tirelessly to maintain it every single day.
“That means being open about our policies and practices; listening closely to your concerns, and communicating clearly, especially when moments are tough.”
Behl reasserted his dual priority of investing in officer wellness, to improve the Springfield Police’s communication skills and to ensure officers are taught empathy for their community members.
“To the members of this community: you have my unwavering commitment to public safety, transparency, and collaboration as we work together for a stronger, safer Springfield.”
Ald. Williams: County’s animal control services require reconsideration
Last year’s outstanding bill from the County amounts to $384,095. For that service, multiple alders argued, numerous city residents have simply been directed by animal control services to instead call law enforcement. Law enforcement, it was noted, likewise dismisses such calls; thus cases of animal infestations, stray animals, and other issues which fall under animal control’s purview go unresolved.
The relationship of the city with county services has been called into question repeatedly over the past several months. Last year, a number of city residents and animal shelter operators came in to complain about the situation throughout the city, with residents having to contend with a growing, increasingly self-sustaining population of feral cats and dogs which – it has been suggested – is exacerbated by local unlicensed “backyard” pet breeders and the excruciating understaffing of the Sangamon Department of Public Health’s animal control service: it was confirmed to Ald. Roy Williams on Tuesday night that Sangamon animal control operates only five animal control officers for the entire area of Sangamon County.
Williams assured that his intent was to support paying the extant bill to animal control – but, he added, “Before they get a new contract, they need to be required here, to answer numerous questions.”
