Rocky River Watch

Rocky River- Police and Fire Equipped

WHO STARTED THE FIRE AT ‘THE ROCKY RIVER RAMADA INN’ AT 11:22 A.M. - ON DECEMBER 2, 1993?

(BELOW)

The 'STILL UNSOLVED' Rocky River "RAMADA INN" Arson Case from 1993'

- as reported by our local newspapers in 1993:

"Suspect sought in motel fire"

(From The West Life

12-8-1993)

"Rocky River - The search is on for a prime suspect in the Dec. 2 fire that destroyed two rooms at the old Sheraton/Ramada Inn on Center Ridge Road. ... At 11:22 a.m. last Thursday, the Rocky River Fire Department received a call alerting them to a fire in the motel. Since both Rocky River Fire Department squads were out on runs, Fairview Park and Westlake were called for mutual assistance."

"Arson won't stop plans for old motel"

(From The Plain Dealer

12-3-1993)

"The fire was reported at 11:22 a.m. yesterday. Although flames could be seen coming from windows of rooms on opposite sides of the hall in the easternmost building where the fires were set, Gerson said there was no structural damage." (Rocky River Fire Chief) "Gerson said his department and the state fire marshal's office concluded the fires were set." "Because Rocky River personnel were on other calls, Gerson said the Fairview Park and Westlake fire departments answered the motel call first."

"Fires are ruled as the result of arson"

(From The Sun Herald

12-9-1993)

"Rocky River - Vandalism appears to be the only motive for a fire that was set in two separate rooms at the former Ramada Inn at 20375 Center Ridge Road." "The fact that two fires were set led Gerson to state at the scene that it was arson. "Two fires just don't start in two places simultaneously," he said.

PUT ROCKY RIVER POLICE ON STREET BEATS!

My letter (below) appearing in                   The WestLife Editorial Page (10-5-2005)

More patrols needed

     A defenseless and unsuspecting Rocky River resident and a really sweet lady I have the most pleasure to know was attacked and beaten by two men on Friday, September 23 in her home.

Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming anyone except the criminals that did this horrible deed.

My message to all residents is, "Do not open your door to anyone you do not know. If they do not leave and persist in trying to get you to open your door call the Rocky River police."

That is what the Rocky River Police are there for - to protect us.

Yet I propose two additional ways the Rocky River Police Department could add to the protection of residents.

First, Rocky River Police Department should consider implementing a foot patrol for Rocky River Policeman throughout the Rocky River neighborhoods. To spot and act on crime before it’s committed. It takes the potential perpetrator by surprise thus protecting the potential unsuspecting victim before the crime occurs.   If foot patrol by Rocky River Policeman can help stop crime – the better.

Rocky River Police Department should consider implementing a bicycle patrol for Rocky River policeman throughout Rocky River’s neighborhoods. Bicycles allow policeman to patrol neighborhoods. Bicycles allow policeman to patrol neighborhoods and spot potential crime occurrences at a faster rate than on foot. Yet at a slower rate than a patrol car.

In closing, I understand crime never sleeps yet residents need not be victims.

Rocky River has an excellent police force and we as responsible citizens must sometimes point the way that we want to be protected in the future.

It is coming!

Fred I. Sokol                                                West Life Editorial Page                             (10-05-2005)

WE NEED TO EQUIP ROCKY RIVER FIRE AND POLICE TO PROTECT OUR CITY'S RESIDENTS FIRST – before our ‘safety forces’ respond to any call outside of our city:

On Monday, March 8, 2004 I spoke out at City Council:

- to Upgrade our Rocky River Safety Forces.

I offer you 'excerpts' of an article (below) to let you know where I stood and where I still stand - on properly equipping our Rocky River Safety Forces.

Fred Sokol - Supported:

One (1) (back-up) Rocky River 'Pumper' Fire Truck

At Rocky River City Council Meeting - 3/8/2004

" ... Longtime Rocky River resident Fred Sokol vehemently disputed Knoble's figure as over-inflated while speaking to City Council. Sokol said such a vehicle actually only would set the city back $300,000. "

" ... Sokol, however, argued that council should make provisions to hire the requisite staff to man such a vehicle. He also reported seeing the sort of extensive fire damage done to a hotel in the wake of Rocky River's last significant fire. Sokol maintained that fire damage could dramatically have been reduced, had an additional pumper truck been available on-scene to help combat the blaze.

As it was, Rocky River's fire team had to rely on sister cities Westlake and North Olmsted for assistance battling the blaze. Because the firefighters had to wait for a backup team to mobilize, the damage wound up being more extensive than it might have been had the city had such a pumper immediately available, Sokol said.

Sokol said the city can't afford not to have the additional pumper. He added Rocky River residents would feel safer if such a vehicle were available, and that $300,000 would be a small price to pay to assure residents' safety."

(these excerpts taken from "Cost keeps city from buying truck Mayor nixes new pumper purchase, calling it a "budget-buster' " From The Sun Herald - 03/11/2004 - By Todd E. Van Dell)

We need to build a Fire Substation in the 'Farthest Northern Part'

of Rocky River's Neighborhoods.

(below) I read my Fire Substation Proposal - into the City Record at the Rocky River City Council Legislative Meeting 04-12-2004) - Again To Support Upgrading Rocky River's Safety Forces.

Fred Sokol Proposes Rocky River 'Fire Sub Station'

I propose to ... to establish a 'new' Rocky River fire sub station to ‘increase fire safety’ in Rocky River. Why?

Just by having Rocky River rely on other suburban Fire Departments says to me … Rocky River’s own present Fire Fighting capabilities ... are not enough.

A new fire sub station strategically found north of the tracks in Rocky River and free from any train impediment increases our fire safety.

‘Around the clock’ fire personnel would maintain the new sub station that would house a new fire pumper truck and new rescue vehicle and squad.

This sub station will also be closer and respond quicker to the men, women, children, seniors and businesses in the Beach Cliff neighborhoods and throughout the entire northern part of Rocky River.

The fire sub station and our present centralized Fire Station on Wagar/ Hilliard Road would complete an umbrella of fire protection and rescue squad capability for our entire city.

The ‘sub station’ will also answer our need for additional Rocky River firefighters, a new fire pumper truck and a strengthening of Rocky River’s rescue squad.

Clearly, this new fire station will better equip our Rocky River firefighters to protect Rocky River’s most valuable asset … Rocky River’s residents from fire.

In closing, I call on Rocky River’s administration and council to approve establishing a ‘New Rocky River Fire Sub Station’ in the northern part of our city.

Our city’s next major ‘capital improvement and expenditure’ must be ‘increased fire and rescue safety’.

Fred I. Sokol, - Resident - Rocky River, Ohio www.rockyriverfred.com