New Bainbridge Public Safety Director Eric Miller told the Bainbridge Lions Club Wednesday that the public safety concept is quite unique.

“It takes our officers between 30 seconds and a minute and a half to respond to most calls we get in the city,” he said.

“Since our public safety officers are also certified in fire fighting, they can fight a fire until the fire trucks arrive.”

Miller, who moved here from the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, said he and his wife, who is director of therapy services at Memorial Hospital, have found Bainbridge very hospitable since arriving.

“I’ve always heard about Southern small town hospitality and we have experienced it first-hand since our arrival,” he said. “Everyone has been great to us.”

Miller further told the Lions that he has at least temporarily placed the city’s community policing viper squad on regular patrol.

“We are a little short-handed now so we put the viper officers on the road,” he said. “I don’t know how many we might hire, but we will be doing some interviewing for officer positions.

“I am not pre-judging any public safety program. I want to do a thorough investigation of all of them.

“I am proud to be part of the city of Bainbridge and the positive image its officials set forth.”