“Citizens first” is Gary’s public safety message

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Gary's new Director of Public Safety Col. Richard Ligon Ret. is seen during a press conference at City Hall where Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson announced the city's new public safety leadership team in Gary, Ind. Wednesday January 4, 2011. Ligon, a Gary native, is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and U.S. Postal Inspector. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 10, 2012 11:54AM

GARY — Richard Ligon is ready and eager to shed his familiar camouflage uniform for a suit and new title.

Ligon, the ROTC director for Gary Community School Corp., said he will begin as the city’s public safety director as soon as he resigns from the school system.

“I think the new chief wants to start immediately, too,” Ligon said.

His experiences as a postal inspector, Gary police Civil Service commissioner, sheriff candidate, U.S. Army colonel and involved Gary resident are just some of the tools he will bring to the job.

Though he doesn’t have an office yet, Ligon has a vision of what he wants to accomplish.

“I will oversee police, fire and emergency management, make sure the departments have resources. I don’t want to get into micromanaging, but focus on establishing clear standard operating procedures and annual training on homeland security issues so we can be eligible for grants,” he said.

Because both the new police chief, Wade Ingram, and fire chief, Teresa Everett, are coming from other states, Ligon said part of his contribution will be to provide them information about their new community and personnel.

Ingram, a former Markham, Ill., chief owns a private firm, Ingram Security and Detective Co. in Chicago. Messages left at the company were not returned last week. On Friday, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said Ingram would not be operating his company while he served as police chief.

Everett is leaving her chief’s spot at College Park, Ga., where she served for more than a year. Prior to that she was district chief in Orange County, Fla., where she managed fire analysis functions.

The Gary Fire Department is facing restructuring to reflect changes in the size of the department and needs of the city. Observers say the ratio of firefighters working on trucks compared to those assigned inside duties needs adjustment.

Ligon said he wants to get a long-planned fire academy established at the city-owned training grounds on 35th Avenue east of Chase Street. “We need better facilities out there,” he said.

One of his goals is to hold regular meetings in the community, including monthly sessions with pastors. “Me and him (Ingram) think a lot alike. Citizens first,” he said.

A police advisory team of about 10 residents will meet with the police chief and “get communications flowing.”

As Ligon talked, he continued to stress the need for increased training at the Police Department. He included reserve officers, saying their contribution is important if they are adequately prepared to assist sworn officers.

A federal program aimed at elementary school children, the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT), could return to Gary after a lengthy hiatus. Officers who worked in local schools developed excellent relationships with students, who saw police as their friends and confidants.

“I want all officers trained on GREAT,” Ligon said. “I’ve already talked to them and they have agreed to bring trainers here.”

Freeman-Wilson said Ligon will step down as a police commissioner.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258.