FOLEY, Ala. — Thirty single-family residences permitted in Foley in August were a positive sign that the construction lull could be lessening locally.

The report given last week by the Community Development Department showed 128 total permits issued by the city last month at a total construction valuation of over $3.8 million.

The June 2009 report showed three single-family residences permitted while the July 2009 report showed two. Total construction valuation for June and July, in which 63 total permits were issued each month, was $666,786 and $573,507 respectively. Thus, August’s report showed promise that the effects of recession could be lessening, a point the mayor and council took note of when the report was submitted to them on Sept. 21.

The CDD report also noted that city inspectors performed 272 inspections during August.

The Environmental/Code Enforcement department handled 40 citizen complaints in August, took 47 enforcement actions, and made 98 code enforcement inspections and 18 environmental inspections.

Concerning the Foley Police Department report for August, Police Chief David Wilson said, in noting the 3,949 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) calls and 1,198 calls for service dispatched by communications officers last month, that citizen complaints regarding FPD are “very low” even though there is a system in place through which citizen complaints are addressed.

FPD’s report for August reflected 71 misdemeanor arrests and nine felony arrests. A total of 127 misdemeanor warrants were served and eight felony warrants. Foley officers made 36 DUI arrests in August, wrote 337 traffic citations and 557 warnings.

Officers conducted 772 close patrols, gave 102 motorist assists and handled 50 motor vehicle accidents. Officers also answered 154 alarms and made 182 official business visits and had 214 positive citizen contacts.

Nine misdemeanor marijuana arrests were effected last month and three felony marijuana arrests. There were six controlled substance arrests and seven drug paraphernalia arrests. One drug raid/search warrant was conducted.

FPD’s Criminal Investigations Division received 75 new cases in August. Previous unsolved cases totaled 26, while 33 cases were solved during the month. CID arrests included two felonies, five misdemeanors, three to the grand jury, 23 exceptional clearances, and seven closed inactive cases. Fourteen domestic violence follow-ups took place last month.

The city has 25 registered sex offenders.

Total arrestees last month totaled 306. The highest number in jail at one time was 49 and the lowest 22.

The School Resource Officer made four police reports and held 13 discipline meetings. Four arrests and releases took place in August.

The Foley Mounted Unit was at one community event last month. Animal services had 89 total calls and 29 calls for service.

The Community Services Division conducted two crime prevention sessions in August and two community watch meetings. Community Outreach and Development had 72 GED participants in four GED classes held during the month. COD also conducted one youth activity event.

Among the crimes reported in August were the following: seven burglaries of residences; four commercial burglaries; two vehicle burglaries; 20 felony thefts; 31 misdemeanor thefts; 28 domestic incidents; 19 criminal mischief; and four white collar crimes.

Foley Fire Department reported 80 incidents in August. Among those incidents were 13 motor vehicle accidents with no injuries; 11 medical assists of EMS crews; eight motor vehicle accidents with injuries; four passenger vehicle fires; three assists of police or other governmental agency; two motor vehicle/pedestrian accidents; one aircraft standby.

Referring to FFD’s 1,030 inspections during this fiscal year, Fire Chief Joey Darby called it “pretty impressive for a one-man show,” a reference to Fire Inspector Joby Smith’s efforts.

Darby also told the mayor and council that FFD firefighters had recently raised $6,510 in donations through the Musuclar Dystrophy Association “Boot Drive.” He thanked citizens and those who donated to MDA, a charity firefighters have been supporting for over 50 years.