Four Officers Take Oath of Office at July 9th Board of Alderman Meeting

Four new Grain Valley police officers were installed at the July 9 th Board of Aldermen meeting. Theresa Osenbaugh administered the oath of office for Shawnda-Hayes Dunnell, Nathan Holt, Cameron Skinner, and Andrew Taylor. Interim Chief Beale welcomed the officers to the department and a family member of each officer was invited to pin their badges on their uniforms.

The meeting also included a presentation about the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) program. Sergeant Stratton updated the Board of Aldermen on the program and

their efforts to support the police in Grain Valley. Stratton emphasized the program saves the department in overtime costs and provides an “extra set of eyes and ears for law enforcement”.

The observation only program offers a number of services for residents, including business checks and vacation checks for residents who are out of town. VIPS volunteers physically check businesses and residences who request such services and report any suspicious activity to police. According to Stratton, by engaging

volunteers in these activities, officers are able to stay on patrol on the streets.

In other business, Alderman Bob Headley introduced an ordinance for a first reading which changes the zoning for approximately 12 acres in south Grain Valley from Commercial to M-1 Light Industrial, allowing the area to be developed as a light industrial site. The area lies off of

South Buckner Tarsney Road, near Casey’s General Store and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The ordinance will be introduced for a second reading and comment at the July 23, 2018 Board of Aldermen meeting.

Four new Grain Valley police officers were installed at the July 9th Board of Aldermen meeting. Pictured L to R: Cameron Skinner, Shawnda-Hayes Dunnell, Interim Chief Beale, Nathan Holt, Andrew Taylor. Photo Credit: Sara Nadeau, City of Grain Valley