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03 10 17 JTF 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Kelly McCarthy SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming POLICE OFFICERS John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff VonFeldt Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Philip McCarty Weston Raberge INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER Eric Hagelee SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Shayna Hoechst Becky Pentel RESERVES Jim Knox Jeff Parker Jon Clayton Dan Iverson CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie MARCH 10 2017 Between 2003 and 2014, outdoor sirens were activated on average 10 times 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 too frequently, they learned residents who frequently see no pending weather or damage in their vicinity become desensitized and may ignore the warning. This problem isn’t just across Dakota County, it is across the country. Cities and counties are learning that overuse of sirens may do more harm than good.  Beginning in 2015, outdoor sirens only sound when wind speeds are ex- pected to meet or exceed 70 miles per hour. The new policy continues to activate the outdoor warning sirens during tornado warnings but changes to the sustained wind speed criteria will reduce the number of siren activations 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. IF YOU HEAR AN OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN, FIND OUT WHY! Be alerted inside your house The siren system was not designed to be a warning device for people inside their homes—it was designed for people that are outside of their homes, away from radios or televisions, which may be broadcasting warnings. To add additional protection while you are inside, purchase a weather alert radio. These weather alert radios can be purchased at many retail stores. Prices vary from $20–$200 depending on the model and features. If you purchase a radio with the SAME feature (Specific Area Message Encoding), the receiver is capable of turning itself on from a silent mode when the signal for your area is sent out. These radios can be programmed for specific areas, so you do not receive alerts from areas far away. Other notification options Local public safety has other tools that they use to alert the public. This includes the Emergency Alert Program used by the Dakota Communications Center. This mass phone notification system allows the public to register their cell phones to receive non-weather related alerts on their phones when issued by local public safety officials. Sign up for the Emergency Alert Program 2 POSESSION OF MARIJUANA — Sibley Memorial Hwy SATURDAY, 3/4/2017, 0128 HOURS During a traffic stop in the 900 block of Highway 13, the driver of the vehicle was found to have a suspended license and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. The driver was cited for the possession of a small amount of marijuana and for driving with a suspended license. WARRANT ARREST — 2XXX Hwy 13 SATURDAY, 3/4/2017, 1148 HOURS Officers responded to the 2000 block of Hwy 13 for a person that had a warrant. The warrant was confirmed and contact was made with the suspect. The suspect was arrested without incident. ASSIST OTHER AGENCY — 9XX Sibley Memorial Hwy SUNDAY, 3/5/2017, 0301 HOURS An occupied and running vehicle was found running in the 900 block of Highway 13. The occupant was found to be highly intoxicated. State patrol officers were called for mutual assistance and an arrest was subsequently made. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE — 2XXX Enterprise Dr SUNDAY, 3/5/2017, 0945 HOURS Officer responded to the 2400 block of Enterprise Dr for a theft from vehicle report. The rear win- dow of the reporting party's vehicle was broken and a laptop and IPad were stolen. No solvability factors available. Case closed by report.. BURGLARY/CIVIL — 5XX Kirchner Ave SUNDAY, 3/5/2017, 1445 HOURS Officers responded to the 500 block of Kirchner Ave for an after the fact burglary report. An un- known person(s) entered a locked garage and took an item. This matter is not under investigation due to unwillingness to prosecute BURGLARY — 1XXX Hwy 13 SUNDAY, 3/5/2017, 1543 HOURS Officer dispatched to the 1100 block of Hwy 13 for a theft from an attached garage. Several items were stolen from storage lockers, a vehicle and unsecured bike racks. No suspect information avail- able. Investigation on-going. PD ACCIDENT — Mendota Heights Road MONDAY, 3/6/2017, 1522 HOURS Responded to the area of Mendota Heights RD/Delaware Ave concerning a two vehicle property damage accident. One vehicle struck another vehicle that was stopped in traffic. One driver com- plained of neck pain but refused medical attention. No tows or citations. Report completed. IDENTITY THEFT — 1XXX Glenhill Road MONDAY, 3/6/2017, 1541 HOURS Victim in the 1900 block of Glenhill Rd reported an incident of identity theft. An unknown person attempted to open two credit cards in the victims name. The victim was notified by his identity pro- tection plan. The accounts were closed before the suspect was able to gain any money or mer- chandise. Victim was requesting a case number so he could receive seven years of identity protec- tion. 3 PD ACCIDENT — Pilot Knob Road TUESDAY, 3/7/2017, 1133 HOURS Three vehicle property damage accident. Vehicle #1 was N/B on Pilot Knob, approaching the en- trance ramp to W/B 494. Vehicle #2 was turning from S/B Pilot Knob Rd to W/B 494. Vehicle #1 had the right away. After vehicles #1 and #2 collided, they struck vehicle #3 which was stopped at the top of the W/B ramp from 494 at Pilot Knob Rd. All drivers were provided with the case num- ber, all three vehicles were towed, driver #2 was issued a citation. RECOVERED PROPERTY — 2XXX Valencour Circle TUESDAY, 3/7/2017, 1815 HOURS Officers responded to the 2000 block of Hwy 13 for a person that had a warrant. The warrant was confirmed and contact was made with the suspect. The suspect was arrested without incident. TRAFFIC STOP — Annapolis Street WEDNESDAY, 3/8/2017, 1235 HOURS Traffic stop Hwy 13 & Wachtler for expired tabs. Registered owner/driver suspended and admitted to having no insurance. Vehicle towed/female cited and book and released at DCJ. FRAUD — 5XX Foxwood Lane THURSDAY, 3/9/2017, 0854 HOURS Walk up to the PD on an identity theft report. Complainant resides at the 500 block of Foxwood Lane. Fraudulent line of credit was attempted to be opened in Georgia. Bank denied application. No monies/credit lost. Case number requested to extend Fraud Protection only. 4 3/03– 3/09 2017 YTD Calls for Service 137 1654 Citations 24 259 Warnings 18 5.54 Police Reports 16 227 Response Time Average 4.75 136 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 Officer 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! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly and get a FREE ride!  On Friday, March 17 customers can ride free from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on all Metro Transit routes – buses, METRO lines and Northstar. No fare, no coupons – simply hop on and take a seat for free.  Whether you’ll be out celebrating or you’re not interested in driving alongside those who are, riding Metro Transit is an easy, safe alternative.  Free rides will also be available on Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, SouthWest Transit and Anoka Transit routes.