BUCYRUS— Local law enforcement agencies have a plan in place to ensure continuity of services in the event that COVID affects their employees.

According to Crawford County Sheriff Scott Kent, eight employees were off work due to COVID-19 as of Nov. 17.

“We have 66 employees, but we want to ensure we have a plan in place to ensure continuity of operations,” said Kent.

He said some employees have been off due to being in quarantine when a family member was diagnosed with the virus.

Kent said his staff is diligent about cleaning and disinfecting while on patrol as well as inside the Crawford County Justice Center.

“We have had no outbreaks of COVID in our jail. Inmates are quarantined 10 to 14 days when they arrive at our facility and daily temperature checks are conducted on all inmates and staff,” said Kent.

He said all health department guidelines are followed by his staff, including mask-wearing, disinfecting and social distancing as much as possible.

Kent reached out to the Crestline Police Department to secure dispatch coverage if needed.

“Our main issue is to ensure we have dispatchers who are emergency medical dispatch certified,” said Kent.

The Crestline Police Department recently hired a part-time officer to replace one that is leaving and at full staff, is in a position to help other departments, as needed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crestline Police Chief Jeff Shook said that he will provide dispatch and other assistance to the Sheriff’s Office if it needed during his report at the village council meeting on Monday.

“They have requested possible ways our department can help them out in their dispatch area,” said Shook.

While the Bucyrus Police Department had two officers out with COVID in the spring, there are currently no employees out sick due to COVID. The department has a total of 23 employees, including 18 sworn and five civilian staff members.

“We have implemented some safety measures, such as disinfecting work areas and cruisers. Hand sanitizer is plentiful around the department,” said Bucyrus Police Chief Neil Assenheimer.

He said every employee had an N95 mask given to them just a couple of weeks ago.

“Our officers have been told to wear their masks/face coverings as much as possible on calls. We have a civilian employee come in a couple times a week and he disinfects the entire department by wiping down every surface and doorknob he can,” said Assenheimer. “Overall, our focus has been on maintaining cleanliness and it seems to be working well for us.”

The Galion Police Department 18 sworn police officers on staff along with eight civilian employees.

“Our department has been and continues to abide by local health department guidelines as well as following the State of Ohio mandates,” said Galion Police Chief Brian Saterfield.

He said that area law enforcement has been in communication for months regarding possible scenarios due to COVID.

“We will definitely be able to provide services to all communities,” said Saterfield.

All department heads said there will be a continuity of services no matter what the future brings during the pandemic.