The crews from REELZ TV arrived in Wheeling back in September, and the city was included on the “On Patrol: LIVE” program for the majority of weekends that followed.
Up until Christmas, that is.
The video crews last recorded in the Friendly City on December 19-20th, and City Manager Bob Herron has not been notified yet whether or not the show’s personnel will return.
“I believe our contract is through May,” Herron explained. “They will take about eight weeks off from a community and then decide if they want to come back before the end of the contract period.
“All of that was known and planned at the beginning,” the city manager said. “I’m not sure what their plans are.”
Each Friday and Saturday evening of the year, “On Patrol: Live” features real-time footage of police officers from across the country and is hosted by Dan Abrams. Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger announced in late May that the PD would be a part of the program.
The show’s coverage in Wheeling has included traffic stops, K-9 searches, domestics, mental health responses, and several others. At least eight of the city’s police officers have been featured on the show, including the city manager’s son, Zach.
