Loading...
04 11 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 APRIL 11, 2014 School Bus Safety for Motorists Submitted By: Police Ofϐicer John Larrive In Minnesota, school buses make at least 10,000 school bus trips daily. According to the NHTSA, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children — children are eight times safer riding in a bus to school than any other vehicles. Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red ϐlashing lights and/or its stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. Red ϐlashing lights on buses indicates students are either entering or exiting the bus. Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) — but they should remain alert for children. Altering a route or schedule to avoid a bus is one way motorists can help improve safety. In doing so, motorists won’t ϐind themselves behind a bus and as a result, potentially putting children at risk. Watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians. Reduce speeds in and around school zones. Watch and stop for pedestrians — the law applies to all street corners, for both marked and unmarked crosswalks (all street corners) — every corner is a crosswalk. If you haven't noticed already, the warmer weather is bringing out motorcyclists. Not only do motorcyclists need to practice safe driving habits on the road, but so do motorists. The stats below are staggering and with the right safety precautions, motorcycle related trafϐic incidents can be avoided. It can be difϐicult for both a motorist to see a motorcyclist and a motorcyclist to see a motorist so always remember, LOOKING TWICE MAY SAVE A LIFE! The MN Department of Public Safety has supplied some great safety tips that we would like to share as our number one goal is to keep our community safe: SAFE RIDING FOR MOTORCYCLISTS SAFE RIDING FOR MOTORISTS FATAL CRASHES INJURY CRASHES PROPERTY DAMAGE ONLY CRASHES TOTAL CRASHES MOTOR CYCLIST CRASHES ALCOHOL RELATED MOTOR CYCLIST FATALITIES MOTOR CYCLIST INJURIES ALCOHOL RELATED MOTOR CYCLIST INJURIES 51 1,320 192 1,563 55 15 1,454 125 2     Threats Thursday 0716 hours Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to a local business on an after the fact threat. One contract employee had threatened another employee which ended in an argument. The two of them went outside and began to fight. They were separated and one employee then stated he was going to kill the other after work. The individual then left the building. The man denied the threat and it is assumed the two are just competing to get hired on full time. Tobacco Possession Friday 1250 hours While on duty as the School Resource Officer, Officer Jennifer Fordham was notified that several students were located in an unoccupied classroom during the lunch hour and that at least one of them was using an e-cigarette. The students were searched by the principal and one male student was found to be in possession of an e-cigarette. The juvenile was issued a citation and given school consequences. Theft of Gas Friday 1319 hours Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a local gas station on a theft of gas report. In meeting with the store employee, she was able to get the vehicle plate and description. A letter was mailed to the vehicle owner. Case pending. Theft Friday 1635 hours Sergeant Eric Petersen was called to a local business about a man who had stolen a laptop a week earlier he was in the store again. The man was detained while Petersen viewed video surveillance from the previous theft. It was clear that this was the suspect and that he put the laptop under his jacket before leaving the store. The man admitted to stealing the laptop and selling it for $50. He was arrested, interviewed and cited for misdemeanor theft. Traffic Stop/Drugs/No Ins Friday 2259 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Denise Urmann observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed she then conducted a traffic stop. In approaching the driver, a strong smell of marijuana was detected. In asking for his proof of insurance he stated he had none as he just bought the car. Urmann then asked the male if there was anything in the vehicle she should know about and he stated “no”. She then asked to search the car at which time he grabbed out baggies of marijuana that looked ready to sell, a bong, metal grinder, pocket knife and said there was a 5 foot bong in the trunk. The party was then over for this man and he was issued a citation and his “new” car was towed. DWI/Hit & Run Saturday 2357 hours Officer Steve Meyer was dispatched to a local bar parking lot on a hit and run accident report. The witness did see the suspect vehicle leaving the scene and was able to capture the license plate information. Officer Todd Rosse located the vehicle parked unoccupied at a local gas station appearing to have fresh damage. Meyer made contact with the reporting party who stated it was actually at a different bar where this occurred and that she got confused. The bartender at this bar was able to locate the suspect who in questioning him denied all involvement saying “my truck? Where?” The male then showed Meyer his truck keys which did in fact start the truck in question. He was given field sobriety tests and was arrested for DWI. 3     Domestic Sunday 2101 hours Officers Todd Rosse and Michael Shepard responded to a local motel on a domestic assault. Officers were met by a male who stated he and his girlfriend got into an altercation. The man told the officers that she spit on him and bit him. It did not appear as though there were bite marks more so red irritated skin. However, there were visible cut marks on the man’s chest that he stated were self inflicted a week prior. In speaking with the girlfriend, she was upset because the boyfriend didn't want to have intercourse with her so a fight ensued it got physical and her boyfriend ripped up her cash and payroll check. Neither party wished to pursue charges and the girlfriend was picked up by her mother. The man was given information on how to deal with the cutting concern. Theft of Gas Monday 2106 hours Officer Michael Shepard was dispatched to a local gas station on a theft of gas report. In meeting with the employee, the license plate given did match that of the vehicle description. A letter was mailed to the registered owner. Case pending. Theft Tuesday 1434 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to the Scenic Overlook where he met with a victim of a theft. The victim stated she was out for a 30 minute walk and when she returned to her vehicle, the rear passenger side window had been smashed and her purse was stolen containing a debit card and credit card. In calling her credit card companies the victim learned that her cards had already been used at a gas station located in St Paul. Under investigation. **REMEMBER IT ONLY TAKES SECONDS TO BREAK A WINDOW AND TAKE YOUR STUFF — NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING IN PLAIN VIEW** Fraud Tuesday 1435 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a residence on a theft report. In meeting with the victim, she stated she discovered fraudulent activity with two of her checks. The two checks were made out to a male with a forged signature. She also stated that at no time was her checkbook lost or stolen and that the only person who had access to her home was the cleaning lady. The woman who had cleaned her home suddenly quit her job the next day after the checks went missing. Under investigation. Ordinance Violation Tuesday 1606 hours Officer John Larrive received a call on a solicitor complaint. The resident stated that three males were going door to door soliciting. Dispatch advised the males were in a red pickup truck. In searching the area, Of- ficer Larrive was able to locate the red truck and a male talking to a female on a driveway. The truck and the man were identified it turned out they were working for a tree service. The man said he did not have a per- mit to solicit. Not sure how good of salesman the man was but as Officer Larrive spoke with him a strong smell of marijuana was also detected. When asked about why he smelled like marijuana the man in which he lied at first about having marijuana on him. After a short conversation he did tell the truth. The marijuana was confiscated, destroyed and the man was issued a citation for Soliciting Without A Permit. Have a safe weekend! 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 com‐ plete 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 Coun‐ ty residents can safely and anonymously dispose of their prescription drugs and over‐the‐counter medication. 4/04—4/10 2014 YTD Calls for Service 117 2,190 Citations 9 519 Warnings 23 286 Police Reports 19 253 Response Time Average 4.73 5.83 GREAT JOB THIS WEEK MHPD!