Latest news with #MahoningCountyProsecutor'sOffice
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Free gun lock distribution happening in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Free gun locks will be distributed to residents next week. The distribution will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 29 at the Mahoning County Administration Building, located at 21 W. Boardman St. It is part of a partnership between the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board as part of Project ChildSafe, a national firearm safety education program. The gun locks were awarded to the sheriff's office, and the Mental Health and Recovery Board also received 200 gun locks from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to a news release from the prosecutor's office, to date, 58% of suicide deaths this year in Mahoning County involved firearms. This joint operation aims to reduce gun-related incidents by encouraging secure firearm storage. According to the release, gun locks also help reduce suicide due to the time it takes to unlock the gun, which provides time for someone in a crisis to think about their actions. The release states that 53% of youth homicides involve firearms, and in 16% of unintentional firearm deaths involving children under 13, the gun was mistaken for a toy. Each gun lock kit includes a cable-style lock and a firearm safety guide. The locks are compatible with most firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Austintown trustees vote to nix K-9 program
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) -Austintown Township trustees voted Monday to end the police department's K-9 program. Before trustees unanimously voted to retire two of its K-9s, Patrolman Jason Murzda asked for a delay. 'I would just respectfully ask that you guys maybe table the idea of dismantling our K-9. This way maybe Brad and I can sit down and talk further with you,' Murzda said. Patrolman Murzda's K-9 is named Gunny. Patrolman Brad McFadden's K9 is Eras. Murzda told the trustees how he started the K-9 program when he worked in Struthers. 'I did it through donations. And since that time, they kept it running the way I had it going. They're now up to three dogs, and it's self-sustained,' Murzda said. Chief Valorie Delmont supported the elimination of the K-9s — though she would later say it was a cut she did not want to make– but she's looking to save money. 'If we ended the program by early retirement, that would save approximately $10,000 this year and $20,000 next year,' Delmont said. Austintown Trustee Bruce Shepas told Patrolmen Murzda and McFadden that the K-9 retirements take effect July 6, and the trustees could revote to keep the unit. 'I know that we talked about things, and you (Murzda) had some very good points about raising the money,' Shepas said. 'So, I challenge you and McFadden to make it happen. Find an alternative way of funding. Talk to your union, consider what we discussed. You got two months,' Shepas said. Each Patrolman was given the opportunity to buy their dogs for $1. Also at the meeting, trustees released a written opinion from the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office concerning the recent hiring of an assistant fiscal officer at $95,000 a year. The opinion was that the trustees must approve the hiring. Since it was previously a union position, it may also have to be filled, and the new assistant can not do what was union work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
