09 06 13 JTF1
The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department
SUPPORT STAFF
Kim Henning
Trista Miller
Becky Pentel
POLICE OFFICERS
Jerry Murphy
Scott Patrick
John Larrive
Bobby Lambert
Tanner Spicer
Todd Rosse
Chad Willson
Jeff Vonfeldt
Steven Meyer
Denise Urmann
Michael Shepard
Peyton Fleming
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFC.
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
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
This is frequently the time of year when we see an increase
in School Bus Stop Arm violations. The police department is
notiϐied by bus drivers of violators they encounter who pass
the bus either while their lights are ϐlashing or when the
stop arm is out.
We could all probably use a reminder to know when we are
legally required to stop for the safety of crossing children, so
here are some quick points to remember:
Bus drivers are required to activate the yellow ϐlashing lights on the bus
at least 100 feet before stopping while in a 35 mph zone or less, and at
least 300 feet when they are in a speed zone of 35 mph or more. It is the
opinion of many people that those distances may not be adequate and I
know that bus drivers are very good about adjusting to the trafϐic
conditions as they drive their routes.
Drivers of vehicles who are encountering school buses need to slow
down and be ready to stop if need be. The stop arm may come out while
you are attempting to go around. If you are meeting a bus, you have the
opportunity to communicate with the bus driver, but if you are coming
from behind the bus then you really have to be careful.
Treat the yellow ϐlashing lights on the bus as being red. In other
words, plan on stopping if you can. If you are already going around or
meeting the bus and the yellow ϐlashing lights come on, then of course
you would continue. If you are way back and the yellow lights start
ϐlashing, then plan on stopping unless for some reason the situation
dictates otherwise. Driving past or meeting a school bus transporting
children can be a hazard, so again, slow down and be prepared to stop if
needed.
Remember that when you stop for a school bus stop arm and sign, you
have to stop at least 20 feet away from the bus, and you can’t start
moving your vehicle until the sign goes in and the red lights stop ϐlashing.
If we all work together on this, we can see a great reduction in these
violations and help give our bus drivers peace of mind.
2
Sergeant
Neil Garlock
received a
“Thank You”
from a resident
for the
assistance and
guidance he
provided for
the
Henry Sibley
Warrior 5k.
Missing Wednesday 2230 hours
A mother called in concerned that her daughter did not return home from work. This
was very unusual for her daughter. A short time later, the mother called back in,
re-assured; her daughter was just working late and all was well.
AOA Thursday 1407 hours
Officers Bobby Lambert and John Larrive responded to a request to check an address in
our city where a potential suspect who was threatening suicide by cop was hiding out.
However, upon arrival, the suspect was GOA (gone on arrival). Officers cleared.
Truck in Ditch Thursday 2342 hours
Sergeant Petersen responded to assist a truck who had missed the exit and was stuck in
the ditch, blocking traffic on Hwy 13. Traffic was stalled for awhile and re-routed while
the tow company helped pull him back out. Officer cleared, nothing further.
Extra Patrols On-Going
During this time of road work at Hwy 110 and Dodd, officers have been watching over
nearby intersections and alternate paths to help remind everyone to slow down. Over-
all, it seems drivers have still been respectful and well-behaved, as we haven’t issued too
many speeding or related traffic tickets in this area. Good job!
Theft Friday 1103 hours
A local business owner called to report that he suspected one of his staff of stealing from
the till, as it has been progressively short over the course of the past two weeks. He was
given advice on how to catch the thief and advised to call once the suspect is verified for
further investigation and possible charges.
AOA/Drugs Friday 1525 hours
Officers Larrive and Lambert responded to assist the DC Sheriff with a possible drug
bust in a local park. Upon arrival, they stood by to keep the area secure while the car,
occupied by some young adults, was stopped and searched for drugs. Meanwhile, a
passerby decided to also stop and “supervise” the situation, providing the peace-keeping
officers with some not-so peaceful advice on lawful processes. He was advised to contact
a supervisor to discuss it further.
AOA/Crashes Friday 1805 hours
Officer Todd Rosse assisted State Patrol with managing a 5 car accident; rescue also
responded and traffic was backed up on 35E while the situation was handled.
Meanwhile, officers were also called to help out at a motorcycle crash where the driver
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.
3
We lost our
funny bone
this week!
We hope to
have found it
by next week.
Stay tuned!
was up and walking around but reportedly, “no looking so good.” Sergeant Petersen left
the other accident but when he got to the area, no victim or cycle was located by him or
HealthEast ambulance.
AOA/Domestic Saturday 0312 hours
Officers Spicer and VonFeldt responded to assist WSPPD near our border where a man
who had fled from a domestic had showed up and was pounding on the door. The man
eventually gained entry into the residence and “was freaking out.” Officer arrived at the
residence, but the man took off and a foot pursuit took place. About , another caller
from WSP reported another (unrelated) unwanted person showed up at their home, on
meth. Officers also assisted there. Whew, busy morning.
OFP Violation Saturday 1233 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert took a call from a party whose husband was violating a restrain-
ing order by repeatedly texting and calling her, even though he knew he shouldn’t.
Officer Larrive later took an additional report of more communication and harassment
that was occurring. A KOPS alert was sent for his pick-up at his residence, but it was
learned that he was out of town and would come in to speak with investigators when he
returned. Formal charges pending.
Drunk, In a Pool Saturday 1951 hours
Caller’s boyfriend was evidently hanging off the edge of the pool, is drunk and thinks
he’s in trouble; she was refusing to help him, but she was still concerned enough to call
911 for help. Evidently they argued earlier in the evening about how to correctly cook a
steak and the night went downhill from there. When Officer Peyton Fleming arrived,
he was safe, and still drunk, perched on the picnic table. Both agreed to be nice and call
it a night.
Angry Customer Sunday 0033 hours
A cabbie called for assistance with a belligerent customer in his back seat. Evidently the
customer refused to pay for a cab, calling the driver unkind names. The driver in turn
wouldn’t let him out, which was also largely due to a language barrier. Officer Tanner
Spicer arrived and found the customer walking away from the cab. When he approached
him, he convinced the gent to pay for his fare and then gave him a lift to his mom’s.
Stop Calling! Sunday 0929 hours
Officer Lambert took a report from concerned parties about a meth addict trying to get
in touch with family members who are recovered addicts and have been staying clean.
Attempted contact included calls, emails and texted pictures of meth. Caller agreed to
change phone numbers and block calls and encouraged to report any further unwanted
contact or activity.
4
If you are a Mendota
Heights resident and
you are going out of
town/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.
Disturbing the Peace Sunday 2044 hours
Neighbors called to report barking dogs in the neighborhood that had been barking for
quite awhile—and there were two of them. Officer Peyton Fleming checked out the
situation, verified their location and left messages with the homeowner since no on was
home. The homeowner arrived just as he was clearing; she was advised of the com-
plaint, given a warning, and she brought the pups in.
Suicide Attempt Sunday 2245 hours
Officers Denise Urmann and Officer Tanner Spicer responded to a crisis call with a
caller who wanted to commit suicide. She had been drinking with relatives and had
gotten into an altercation, getting blamed “for everything.” She was agitated, rambling,
and unable to retain her thought processes. She willingly went to the hospital on a
psych hold.
Vandalism Monday 0748 hours
The Par 3 Golf suffered some damage by an unknown suspect, who used a concrete
block to severely damage the green on one of the holes, defecated in one of the holes
and stole a tee marker. The city was notified of the damage and the case was forwarded
to investigations.
AOA/Fugitive Tuesday 1057 hours
Officer Larrive responded to a local hotel to assist the Fugitive Task Force in
apprehending a suspect involved in a shooting last week in SSP. Suspect was arrested
without incident.
Stolen Vehicle Tuesday 1151 hours
Officer Larrive took a report from a local business who found one of the vehicles
missing. The loss was found coincidentally around the same time an employee had been
fired. Forwarded to investigations.
Missing Child Tuesday 1759 hours
Officer Peyton Fleming and Sergeant Garlock responded to missing child call where the
residence had been checked and a four year old little girl was nowhere in sight. A good
description was provided and the search was on. Mom called about 6 minutes later—
she had found her, covered up under blankets on the couch, sleeping soundly. Whew.
Domestic Wednesday 0018 hours
Officer Urmann checked on a couple who were fighting—neighbors had called and
thought it was getting physical. The two were definitely arguing but nothing physical
occurred. They agreed to separate for the night in order to keep the peace. Cleared.
5
08/30‐09/06 2013 YTD
Calls for Service 142 5,916
Citations 18 1,065
Warnings 21 914
Police Reports 18 731
Response Time Average 6.33 5.16
Submitted By: Police Sergeant Brian Convery
Have a Safe Week!
The Police Department occasionally receives calls from citizens concerned about children whom are left home
alone or unsupervised. Ofϐicers respond to these types of calls to check the welfare of the child and see if they
are in need of county protective services. Ofϐicers use the following Dakota County age guidelines, along with a
plethora of other situational factors, to make decisions:
* Children under the age of 8 may not be left alone. They must be supervised by an adult or child age 11 or older
* Age 8 or 9 may be left alone for normal latchkey hours (up to 2 hours)
* Age 10‐13 may be left unattended up to 12 hours
* Age 14‐17 may be left unattended up to 24 hours
* No child under 11 should babysit younger children
The County offers many situations in which a report of a child left alone, both within and outside of the
guidelines, may be either investigated or cleared, most of which center around the safety and well‐being of
the child and the home. If you’re ever in doubt, we would rather check out the situation and have it cleared
than have children in unsafe situations. www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/Parenting/Supervision/Pages/default.aspx
Our ofϐicers often encounter juveniles out at night and in violation of the County Curfew. The City of Mendota
Heights has adopted the County curfew and the restrictions are the same in every city throughout the county. * Under age 12 Sunday ‐ Thursday 9pm‐5am, Friday ‐ Saturday 10pm‐5am
* Ages 12‐14 Sunday ‐ Thursday 10pm‐5am, Friday ‐ Saturday 11pm‐5am
* Ages 15‐17 Sunday ‐ Thursday 11pm‐5am, Friday ‐ Saturday 12am‐5am
There are some exceptions to curfew, including: traveling to or from the juvenile’s place of employment, and
when a juvenile is accompanied by their parent or authorized adult. For complete curfew info: go to
www.mendota‐heights.com and view City Ordinance 5‐2‐1.
These guidelines and laws are in place to keep children safe. Our department is committed to following the
county guidelines and enforcing the city ordinances to ensure the safety of the children in our community.
Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood:
http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx