FOLEY, Ala. — For years, multi-million dollar construction valuations in the City of Foley were as common as tourists on Baldwin County beaches. To date, 2009 hasn’t seen those numbers locally due to the economic recession across the county.

However, the March report by the Community Development Department shows a slight trend the other way. While only one single-family residence was permitted in Foley during the first two months of 2009, five were permitted in March.

That figure and others were given this week as city department heads reported to the mayor and city council.

Those five single-family residences had a total construction valuation of $424,400. That figure helped push the total construction valuation in the city last month past the million dollar figure — $1,001,580.

January 2009 had $104,524 in total construction valuation followed by $673,848 in February.

According to the March report, 51 building permits were issued by the city, while city inspectors conducted 162 inspections.

The Environmental/Code Enforcement Division of the Community Development Department heard 13 citizen complaints during March, made 34 code enforcement inspections and 37 environmental inspections and processed 12 enforcement actions.

Also up in March were the number of incidents to which Foley Fire Department responded.

Fire Chief Joey Darby said March was a “bad month for really bad (motor vehicle accidents).”

Darby’s report reflected 23 MVAs with injuries, 15 EMS assists and 14 MVAs without injuries. Some of the motor vehicle accidents could be attributed to Spring Break, Darby told the mayor and council.

FFD also reported 19 false calls in March, a subject that produced discussion.

“We definitely have some repeat offenders in town,” Darby said in reference to false alarm calls.

Councilman Ralph Hellmich asked if anything is in place to deal with repeat offenders where false alarms are concerned.

At present, nothing is in place, Darby said, but something might need to be done in the future.

The 114 responses made by FFD in March were the most since June 2008 (127). The following incident types were included in the March totals: three building fires, three vehicle fires; one aircraft standby; two woods fires; nine brush/grass fires; four outside rubbish/trash fires; and three electrical hazards.

Darby also reported that FFD is working hard to identify potential fire hazards throughout the city.

Seventy-nine inspections were performed in March of new construction and existing occupancies, Darby reported.

Foley Police Department Patrol Division made 72 misdemeanor and eight felony arrests during March, according to Police Chief David Wilson.

One hundred and seven misdemeanor warrants were served and three felony warrants.

A total of 32 DUI arrests were made, while officers wrote 498 traffic citations and 679 warnings.

Officers responded to 82 motor vehicle accidents during March and made 110 motorist assists. Also, FPD answered 177 alarms during March.

FPD Dispatch had 1,107 calls for service and received 4,277 total calls during the month.

Concerning drugs, Wilson reported 13 misdemeanor marijuana arrests and eight felony marijuana arrests. Other drug arrests included six for controlled substance, three for drug paraphernalia, and two during drug raids and/ or search warrants.

FPD’s Criminal Investigation Division received 75 new cases in March and had eight previously unsolved cases. Forty-eight cases were solved that led to nine felony arrests and 19 misdemeanor arrests.

One new sex offender registered with FPD, making a total of 22 in Foley.

The City Jail received and processed 326. The highest number incarcerated at one time was 42, the lowest 21.

The School Resource Officer held 41 discipline meetings and made five reports regarding five students.

The Mounted Patrol Unit patrolled once during March and was in attendance at one community event.

Animal Services had 42 calls for service and transported seven animals to the shelter.

Community Services conducted three neighborhood watch preliminary meetings and one Police Services Expo.

Community Outreach and Development had 92 GED participants in four GED classes.

The highest number of crimes reported in March were harassment, 19; domestic incidents, 17; misdemeanor theft, 16; harassing communication, nine; and five each for commercial burglary and residential burglary.