Police Targeting Polaris - Crossing Guard Injured
Westerville police have launched targeted enforcement along Polaris Parkway from Africa Road to Old Worthington Road, with particular attention near the Sheetz gas station, after reports of disruptive behavior in the area.
In a Facebook post, the city said residents may notice more Westerville Division of Police officers along Polaris Parkway for the rest of the month in response to community feedback.
On Friday night, officers made that effort visible at the Sheetz lot. At about 10 p.m., four Westerville police cruisers circled the parking lot with blue and red lights flashing and instructed people who were not shopping at the station that they had to leave or could be charged with trespassing, according to a witness account.
After the lot cleared, the cruisers left, though one police vehicle remained parked in the grassy median along Polaris Parkway. Several police cars returned within the hour and again circled the lot, but this time did not repeat the warning about possible trespassing charges.
Police said in a follow-up clarification that the increased presence is a proactive measure tied to reports of disruptive behavior in the immediate area. The city said officers are being made more visible during peak times so they can address concerns such as reckless activity or disturbances before they escalate.
The Sheetz on Polaris Parkway has also drawn attention online in recent months, with social media users describing it as a popular Friday and Saturday night hangout for teens, young adults, and car enthusiasts. Those online descriptions are anecdotal and not official police findings.
Crossing Guard Suffers Broken Ribs In Westerville Bus Crash
Westerville police say a school crossing guard suffered two broken ribs and a large hematoma to the back of his head after he was struck Thursday afternoon by a private bus at East Walnut Street and South Spring Road.
According to the crash report, the crossing guard was in the marked crosswalk on the north side of the intersection when the bus turned left from East Walnut onto South Spring and hit him. He was taken by Westerville Fire to Riverside Hospital.
Police determined the bus driver was at fault for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and for failing to obey the crosswalk signal.
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