Loading...
08 15 14 JTF1 We all see strangers, every day, no matter where we go or what we do. Most are, or at least appear, normal; some may be what a normal person would consider “dangerous.” Can you tell the difference? Do you think your children can? We all need to arm ourselves, and especially our youth, by watching for suspicious behavior. My youngest daughter asked me why I greet people I pass on the street, people I don’t know. This was followed by, “Haven’t you ever heard of ‘stranger danger’ Mom?” I told her that I was taught to be polite and kind and to say “Hello” to people I passed on the street and that I expected the same behavior from them. However, I also told them that there have been many people that did make me feel uncomfortable almost right away, whom I would avoid to prevent the interaction because of my “gut feeling.” This sparked a larger conversation about good vs. bad &/or “tricky” strangers which led us to work out action plans for some scenarios: What’s the “Code Word” ‐ a secret word your child can remember and can ask if: An adult they may or may not know approaches and tells them to come with them, e.g. their mom/dad asked them to take care of them during an emergency, they are late, etc. If the adult knows the code word all is well. If not, run and seek help. When to Run: An adult asks a child for help, e.g. “Can you help me ϐind my pet/with directions/with a medical situation” An adult you don’t know well invites you to their home An adult says or does something that makes you uncomfortable or feel bad When to Fight/Flee: When an adult attempts to take you, grab you or touches you in bad or uncomfortable ways, let you child know he/she can ϐight , bite, kick, struggle and best of all scream and holler if he/she is being abducted. Missingkids.com emphasizes the caution to be exercised in the term “stranger‐danger” as the potential for danger to children is more possible from someone they or you know. What is important is teaching them how to recognize and get out of dangerous situations. when their safety or the safety of others is at stake. The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANT Eric Petersen POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy John Larrive Bobby Lambert Tanner Spicer Todd Rosse Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker George Castillo CHAPLAINS Frances Cuenca Joel Detlefsen Lynn Liberman Butch Millett Sue Plucker John Snider David Wick AUGUST 15, 2014 2 For more information: CLICK HERE: 3 For more information: CLICK HERE: Classes are held Thursday nights September 18th-November 20th 6:00 pm-9:30 pm WHAT IS THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY? The Citizens Police Academy is a ten-week/35 hr course designed to give West St. Paul and Mendota Heights citizens a working knowledge of the operations and responsibilities of the West St. Paul and Mendota Heights Police. The slogan of the Citizens Academy is; with the ultimate goal of providing citizen participants with the in-depth information and insight needed to build trust and increase positive interaction between police and the community. ONLY 5 SPOTS LEFT! Citizens Police Academy 2014 Mendota Heights & West St. Paul Police Departments LIGHTS ‐ SIRENS ‐ ACTION IS THERE A FEE? AND WHO MAY ATTEND? No. The academy is free to persons who either live or own a business in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, or Sunfish Lake. Any person who is at least 18 years old is eligible. All eligible applicants will be screened by a criminal history check. For safety reasons, we reserve the right to deny participation in any activity. APPLY TODAY! Applications may be picked up at the West St. Paul or Mendota Heights Police Department’s Administration windows, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm. The application is also on the websites listed below. APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 22nd MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 651-452-1366 www.mendota-heights.com WHO MAY ATTEND THE ACADEMY? Any person who is at least 18 years old and either lives or owns a business in West St. Paul or Mendota Heights can apply. All eligible applicants will be screened by conducting a criminal history check (a prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant). For safety reasons, we reserve the right to deny participation in any activity. The police academy includes physical and sensory activity including strobe lights, loud sounds, use of weapons, etc. WEST ST. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT 1616 Humboldt Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55118 651-552-4200 www.cityofwsp.org Citizens Academy 2013 4 Theft Friday 06:10 hours Officer Denise Urmann was dispatched to a new construction site in regard to a theft report. Urmann was met by a contractor who stated that many tools had been stolen overnight. The contractor is still in the process of gathering a complete list of stolen items to submit so investigation can begin. Neglect/Child Endangerment Friday 10:47 hours Officer John Larrive received a call on a report of a child locked inside of a vehicle. Upon arriving, the child was found in the vehicle, doors locked, windows up, not running. The approximately 3-year old child was buckled in the car seat, sweating and wiping her forehead. The drivers side window had to be smashed to gain access to the vehicle. The child stated she was with her father. Sergeant Eric Petersen assisted and went into a building where an estate sale was going on to try and locate the father. The father was located and he stated he had left the child in the car while he went into the estate sale because he and his daughter had gotten into an argument on the way there. It was believed with all of the timeframes that the child had been in the vehicle for approximately 30 minutes. The child was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. This case has been forwarded on to Social Services/Child Protection. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD IN A CAR UNATTENDED! On a side note, I wonder if he got anything good out of the estate sale worth leaving his child in the car. Theft from Motor Vehicle Saturday 18:06 hours Officer Peyton Fleming was dispatched to the scenic overlook on a theft from motor vehicle report. The complainant stated he had witnessed a male smash the window and remove a bag inside and then a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu left the area. The owner of the vehicle was not present but Fleming did make contact with the registered owner who said her son currently had the vehicle. The suspect description matched that of her son. She was advised of what action to take with her stolen items. Under investigation. AOA/DWI Monday 02:36 hours While on routine patrol, Officer Denise Urmann noticed a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the highway and a male standing outside urinating. In approaching the male, he had trouble zipping up his pants, swayed and mumbled something that could not be made out. He speech was slurred and he smelled of alcoholic beverage. In running a license check, he was revoked and had a previous DUI conviction. Due to being short staffed, State Patrol was called to conduct field sobriety tests and issue the DWI. Burglary Monday 21:49 hours Officer Denise Urmann was dispatched to a residence on report of a suspicious person in the residence. The caller stated that she saw a male run from the upstairs of the residence to the basement. Officers Peyton Fleming, Steve Meyer, Michael Shepard, and Dakota County K-9 Deputy Smidt all arrived to assist. Officer cleared the residence and found no suspects inside. Officers from West Saint Paul searched the neighborhood and found no suspects. A search of the residence did reveal that the suspect had spent a lot of time in the residence. Every room in the lower level of the home had been rummaged through. The resident reported a purse with cash and credit cards was missing. The resident also informed officers that her neighbors were on vacation. Officers checked the neighbor’s home and found a screen cut on the porch. The residents were notified and police did not know if anything was missing but it did not appear that anyone had entered the house. Damage to Property Wednesday 22:02 hours Officers Tanner Spicer and Todd Rosse responded to a complaint of an extremely intoxicated group home resident. The intoxicated individual was making threatening comments to all the other residents and the staff wanted the male removed for the safety of the other residents. The male was transported to Ramsey County Detox but along the way decided he didn’t want to go and caused damage to the squad car by breaking the rear dome light and kicking the widows. 5 “I Got Caught” Campaign The “I Got Caught” campaign rewards kids “caught” wearing a helmet while biking, scooter riding, skateboarding or in -line skating. Starting Friday, July 4, Officers will be on the lookout and when local children are caught practicing safe habits, they will receive a gift certificate for a free small ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. 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. 08/ 08—08/14 2014 YTD Calls for Service 99 5049 Citations 3 929 Warnings 9 606 Police Reports 14 588 Response Time Average 6.26 5.73 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. The House Check Request online form is available on our website; we have similar forms in the MHPD lobby 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. Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: https://www.raidsonline.com 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118