The Arma Police Department is warning the public of a “new” type of fentanyl that can be fully absorbed through the skin following an overdose investigation Friday, April 24.
During Monday’s regular city council meeting, Arma Police Chief John Austin and councilwoman Carma Burns discussed a search warrant arrest that took place a couple of weeks ago in Pittsburg. According to the two, along with a press release from the Pittsburg Police Department, two Crawford County EMS paramedics who were at the scene and treated the patient “began showing signs of an accidental overdose due to suspected fentanyl exposure.”
The two paramedics were transported to Pittsburg Mercy Hospital for treatment with one of them later transferred to Joplin Mercy Hospital for further treatment.
“So there’s a new type of synthetic fentanyl out there that’s more powerful than fentanyl and apparently is being absorbed in skin,” he said. “… So everybody, especially glove up. Absolutely glove up at all times … We need to protect ourselves and them and the firefighters and EMS. All the first responders especially.”
Chief Austin also warned residents about phone scams that have emerged in recent weeks, including one sent by text message that details court orders.
“These phone scams going around, one we got from Mulberry the other day … Apparently they milked her out of almost $50,000,” he said. “People be aware that that’s going on. Don’t give out any information over the phone and if it sounds too good to be true, it is … It’s all a scam; they are just phishing for information.”
“And if there is a link, do not hit the link until you have checked because there were several about court hearings and several people were hitting the link and they were calling,” added Burns.
Austin then presented the Arma Police Department’s report for the month of April.
According to the report, last month, the police department had 132 calls for service, 155 traffic stops, three driving while suspended, four alarms, six incident reports, 102 citizen contacts, 118 warnings, one driving under the influence, seven building checks, 10 offense reports, four ordinance violations, 14 medical assists, 13 vehicle checks, 67 mutual aids, and eight dog pickups.
Compared to March, the Arma Police Department saw an increase of 222 in section checks along with an increase of 61 in mutual aid. Calls for service slightly increased by 13 while driving citations decreased by 12.
As for compliance checks, the Arma area has 47 registered offenders with the Arma Police Department making contact with 25 of them.
Lastly, the Arma Council approved the hiring of RJ Rossman as a part-time police officer starting at $18 an hour.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Meetings are held at the council meeting room next door to Arma City Hall, located at 701 E. Washington St. For more information or to be placed on the agenda, call the Arma City Hall at 620-347-4125.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
