03 04 16 JTF
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The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SERGEANTS
Eric Petersen
Tanner Spicer
Peyton Fleming
Bobby Lambert
POLICE OFFICERS
John Larrive
Todd Rosse
Jeff VonFeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Nick Gorgos
Robin Nelson
Steve Hilyar
Phillip McCarty
INVESTIGATIONS
Chad Willson
SCHOOL RESOURCE
OFFICER
Jennifer Fordham
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Shayna Hoechst
Becky Pentel
RESERVES
Randy Pentel
Jim Knox
Jeff Parker
CHAPLAINS
Butch Millett
John Snider
Alberto Vargas
Lynn Liberman
Sue Plucker
Joel Detlefsen
Lenny Andrie
MARCH 4 2016
POLICE HANDGUNS
Between 2003 and 2014, outdoor sirens were acƟvated on average 10 Ɵmes per year
in Mendota Heights. This was due to the Dakota County and city emergency
manager’s policy to set off sirens during tornado warnings and all severe
thunderstorm warnings. When outdoor warning sirens are sounded to frequently,
they learned residents who frequently see no pending weather or damage in their
vicinity become desensiƟzed and may ignore the warning. This problem isn’t just
across Dakota County, it is across the country. CiƟes and counƟes are learning that
overuse of sirens may do more harm than good.
Beginning in 2015, outdoor sirens only sound when wind speeds are expected to meet
or exceed 70 miles per hour. This is an increase from the old standard. The new policy
conƟnues to acƟvate the outdoor warning sirens during tornado warnings but
changes to the sustained wind speed criteria will reduce the number of siren
acƟvaƟons during a severe thunderstorm.
With the new policy in effect, the use of outdoor warning sirens across Dakota County
have been reduced by 75 percent or more. In 2015, there was only 1 (non‐test)
outdoor siren acƟvated county‐wide!
IF YOU HEAR AN OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN, FIND OUT WHY!
Police handguns vary from agency to agency. In the agencies I've worked for, some
require officers to purchase their own guns, while others provide guns for the officers.
When I started with the Mendota Heights Police Department in 2006, we all purchased
our own handguns. We had a list of approved weapons that we could carry. In 2007,
the department made the decision to move to department owned guns. For the past 9
years, we've carried Glock model 22.40 caliber guns with weapon mounted tacƟcal
lights.
The department has recently started studying replacing our aging guns with new
handguns for officers. This study has consisted of a handgun commiƩee within MHPD,
who narrowed the gun choices down for officers to test. While we leaning toward a
Glock model, the decision is sƟll pending.
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AOA/PURSUIT FRIDAY 0237 HOURS
Maplewood PD requested assistance in a pursuit involving a male with outstanding felony warrants. Officers
Hilyar, Urmann and Shepard assisted in the pursuit. The vehicle finally ended up running out of gas in St
Paul and taken into custody.
AOA/PURSUIT #2 FRIDAY 1732 HOURS
Officer Mike Shepard assisted several agencies in a pursuit involving a male with an outstanding felony
warrant. The aggressive suspect vehicle drove through yards, nearly hit an officer, drove head on into an
occupied squad from another agency and prepared to flee again. Officer Shepherd’s squad was directly in
front of the fleeing car and stopped the suspect with his vehicle. The driver gave up, put his hands up and
was taken into custody.
FOUND PROPERTY MONDAY 0944 HOURS
Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local business on a found property report. Rosse was met with the
manager who informed him staff had located a phone in the men’s restroom. While attempting to the learn
the owner, suspicious data was found. Under investigation.
BURGLARY MONDAY 1727 HOURS
Officer Nick Gorgos and Sergeant Peyton Fleming responded to a home on a burglary report. Upon arrival,
he was met by the homeowner who stated that when he came home, he noticed a small glass window next to
the front door had been broken. He did not feel comfortable entering so he requested police assistance at
this time. Officers combed through the home and found the television ripped out from the wall and
dangling from the chords and the master bedroom was rummaged through. A jewelry box containing
“cheap” jewelry was also missing. No suspects at this time.
WARRANT TUESDAY 1630 HOURS
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive ran a license plate and it came back clear; however, the driver
had an outstanding gross misdemeanor warrant out of Anoka County. Larrive conducted a traffic stop,
made contact with the driver, identified him and told him was under arrest for the warrant. Larrive searched
the vehicle prior to the tow arriving and found a glass pipe containing burnt marijuana in it. The male was
issued a citation for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and transported to Dakota County Jail.
DAC/IPS WEDNESDAY 1223 HOURS
While on routine patrol, Officer John Larrive observed a vehicle that he knew from prior information to
have revoked plates and the vehicle owner to be DAC/IPS. Larrive conducted a traffic stop and confirmed
the revoked plates and DAC/IPS. Larrive removed the plates from the vehicle and allowed the male to drive
his vehicle a short distance home. He was issued a citation for Limited Drivers License Violation and
Revoked License Plates.
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02/26 ‐ 03/03 2016 YTD
Calls for Service 121 1,246
Citations 25 156
Warnings 23 177
Police Reports 21 175
Response Time Average 4.32 4.64
Check out the MH Crime Map!
Click below to search your neighborhood:
https://www.raidsonline.com
1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118
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; you can complete a form found in our
lobby, or simply give us a call and we’ll help you out.
MHPD offers monthly Car Seat Safety Checks.
To schedule an appointment, call 651.452.1366 or email
jennyf@mendota‐heights.com 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.
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!
At MHPD, we have a MedicaƟon
Disposal Box, however, we do not
accept any form of needles or
syringes for various safety &
health reasons.
DISPOSAL OPTIONS:
Clinics & Hospital CollecƟon Sites
Home Needle‐DestrucƟon
Devices Mail‐Back Programs
Dakota County Recycling Zone
3365 Dodd Rd.
Eagan, MN 55121
651.905.4520
Washington County
Environmental Center
4039 CoƩage Grove Dr.
Woodbury, MN 55129
651.275.7475
For more informaƟon on disposal
opƟons and informaƟon on
household hazardous wastes,
visit the MN PolluƟon Control
Agency’s website:
www.pca.state.mn.us/