03 07 14 JTF1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Lisa Brandt
Becky Pentel
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
INVESTIGATIONS
Mario Reyes
Chad Willson
SERGEANTS
Neil Garlock
Brian Convery
Eric Petersen
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
Butch Millett
Sue Plucker
John Snider
David Wick
Lenny Andrie
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
MARCH 7, 2014
Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles
Submitted By:
Police Ofϐicer
Todd Rosse
On a daily basis, we see motorists fail to comply with laws regarding emergency vehicles re-
sponding to emergency calls with lights and/or sirens activated.
The following is an abbreviated version of statute MSS 169.20.5 (visit
www.mncjss.state.mn.us for the full details): Upon the approach of an authorized emergency
vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light and/or the driver is giving
an audible signal by siren, the drivers of other vehicles shall yield the right-of-way and shall
immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right hand edge or
curb of the highway/roadway clear of any intersection, and shall remain in this position until
the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police
ofϐicer. Failure to comply with this statute can result in a citation or possible arrest and it can
be within 24 hours of the incident.
Constant vigilance and minimized distractions is the best suggestion. Remember, we could be
responding to your residence and seconds can change lives. Please help us help you, watch for
approaching emergency vehicles during your daily commute.
More than 150 U.S. law enforcement ofϐicers have been killed since 1999 after being struck
by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Ofϐicers
Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of trafϐic safety and law
enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect
emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.
"Move Over, America" is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety
Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police
Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the
American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the ϐirst nationally coordinated
effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws and how they help protect the law
enforcement ofϐicers who risk their lives protecting the public.
According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National
Safety Commission:
71 % of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
86 % support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
90 % believe trafϐic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law
enforcement and ϐirst responders.
Forty-three states, including Minnesota (est. in 2006) have passed “Move Over” laws, which
require motorists to “Move Over” and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement
ofϐicers on roadsides. For more information on the Move Over Law:
www.moveoveramerica.com
2
Safety Camp Registration
Begins March 10th @ 9:00am
To Register: www.mendota‐heights.com
Safety camp participants will learn about stranger safety, weather safety, drug awareness,
animal safety, home safety, ϐirst-aid and much more. This summer camp is for youth entering
3rd & 4th grade in the Fall of 2014. Safety camp leaders include volunteers from
local police and ϐire departments.
Kaposia Park, South St Paul
July 15—17, 2014
Tue: 8:00am-3:30pm
Wed: 8:00am-3:30pm
Thurs: 8:00am-4:00pm
Fee:
$30 Lunch & Snacks Provided
Sponsors:
SSP VFW, MH, WSP & SSP Parks & Rec
Families are encouraged to join us at the conclusion of camp on Thursday
for a short program and treat.
Come Join Us!
The experience that will last a lifetime.
Annually, the City of Mendota Heights,
West St Paul and South St Paul offers a
Safety Camp thru the Parks & Rec Dept.
To help fund this great program, the SSP VFW is hosting a Fish Fry and Meat Rafϐle. Fish Fry is
$12 per person. All you can eat ϐish including, potatoes, mac n cheese, coleslaw, beans, buns,
milk & coffee. All meat rafϐle proceeds will go toward 2014 Safety Camp. Volunteers from all
City departments will be there to help make this fundraiser a success!
Friday, March 7th
5:00pm—8:00pm
SSP VFW
111 Concord Exchange Street
South St Paul, MN 55075
3
Property Damage Accident Wednesday 0812 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to the scene of a property damage accident at Mendota Heights Road and
Arbor Court. Driver #1 was E/B on Mendota Heights Road and driver #2 was W/B on Mendota Heights
Road when the driver of vehicle #2 lost control of the vehicle striking the other car. The driver of vehicle #2
was uninsured and was issued a citation.
Property Damage Accident Thursday 1438 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to the scene of a property damage accident at Dodd Road and Hwy 110.
Both vehicles were stopped one in front of the other at a red light waiting to continue northbound on Dodd
Road when the driver of the rear vehicle decided to reach for a french fry and inadvertently let up off the
brake resulting in a rear end collision.
Domestic Thursday 1837 hours
Officers Todd Rosse and Peyton Fleming were dispatched to a home on a domestic call involving one party
hitting and pulling the hair of the other party. In speaking with the two family members, they learned the
argument started about one of them not getting the mail or cleaning around the house. At that point the
argument got very heated, yet neither party was injured and both agreed to avoid each other for the rest of
the night.
Burglary Friday 0742 hours
Officer John Larrive responded to a local business on a burglary report. An employee had arrived to the
building to find the front door lock damaged. In entering the multi-business building, one business in
particular had been forced opened. In doing a walk through of the burglary, it appeared the only item
missing was a computer. No suspects at this time.
Theft of Gas Friday 0844 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a local gas station on a report of a gas theft. In speaking with the gas
station employee, he was able to describe both the suspect vehicle and the suspect. A letter was mailed to the
suspect in reference to the gas theft, who then returned the call to state that he had borrowed his car to his
son, who had in turn loaned the vehicle to a friend, who had accidentally forgot to pay for the gas, and who
drove off. The friend of the man’s son then returned to the gas station to pay for the gas. Cleared.
Harassment Friday 0912 hours
Officer John Larrive met with a complaint to report a harassing voicemail she had received. The
complainant who works at a property management company has been receiving harassing voicemails from a
tenant in the building she works at stating she knows where she lives. Complainant simply wanted this
harassment reported as informational only at this point.
Check Welfare Friday 2252 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen along with Officer Denise Urmann were called to check the welfare of an intoxicated
woman who left the home on foot in below zero temperatures. Officer Urmann arrived at the home while
Petersen searched for the woman. In speaking with the woman’s husband, he stated the woman was upset
over a recent trauma and attempted to take the keys to the car and leave. He would not allow that so she
left on foot. Upon the officers arrival, the husband and wife talked to each other by phone the wife stated
she was now at MHPD. The woman informed officers she was upset over a recent trauma and simply
wanted to leave. She showed no signed of intoxication and agreed to not return home for the night.
4
Please send us your
positive feedback
on our staff to:
pdrecords@
mendota-heights.com
Your feedback is greatly
appreciated and helps boost
the morale of our staff.
Have a Safe Week!
If you are a Mendota Heights resident and you are going out of town or on
vacation, you can notify MHPD of your outing and we will be more than happy to
keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. Make your House Check
Request online at www.mendota-heights.com, visit us in the MHPD lobby to
complete a form or call us and we will take your info over the phone.
MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks. To schedule an appointment,
call 651.452.1366 to contact Ofϐicer Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a Medication Disposal Box in the lobby of the PD where Dakota
County residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs
and over-the-counter medication.
2/28—3/6 2014 YTD
Calls for Service 115 1,460
Citations 27 389
Warnings 10 160
Police Reports 12 149
Response Time Average 4.74 5.82
On Friday, 3/7,
MHPD welcomed
their new team mem-
ber, Police Sup-
port Specialist,
Lisa Brandt. You
can learn more about
Lisa in upcoming
issues of JTF.
Police Support
Specialist
Kim Henning
received gratitude
from Hennepin
County’s
Lt. LaBatt, who
oversees the
weapons and mass
destruction
response team. The
team, here in
connection with
the President’s
visit, was thankful
for the customer
service provided.