231 construction and semis still an issue for Greencastle Police

Monday, July 15, 2024 at 9:03 PM

By Johnny McCrory @jmcillini

The issue remains and that is semi trucks disregarding the signage.

It has been a major thorn in the side for the Greencastle Police and Chief Christopher Jones -- semi trucks disregarding signs and trying to navigate around the U.S. 231 construction in downtown Greencastle.

Jones confirmed to The Putnam County Post the issue remains after pleas from Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar and council last week to continue ticketing semi truck drivers driving where they should not.

"The issue remains and that is semi trucks disregarding the signage. I stopped one the other day and told him it was local delivery traffic only and he told me he was going local. I asked him where he was headed and he said Bainbridge," Jones said.

An issue however, is the department does not have enough manpower to deal with the increase summer brings in crime, along with patrolling 24 hours a day for semi trucks, Jones said.

"We can get one and then two or three drive by while we have the one stopped. It is hard to get them all, but we are trying," Jones said.

Councilman Vincent Aguirre, who represents the Fourth Ward, had previously asked if there was funding for a part time officer for truck enforcement. He said he has "definitely" heard complaints in general when it comes to truck traffic.

"I would be willing to help the department have extra overtime to police trucks if they'd want that. It is probably more affordable to pay an officer overtime versus repairing roads on the backside," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post.