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11 08 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 NOVEMBER 8, 2013 Police departments are known as a place to call to find answers.  We receive calls for many  types of things—direcƟons, coyotes, general curiosity.  On the non‐emergency phone line, we  oŌen field quesƟons such as, “Why were police officers in my neighbor’s backyard?”   While we  usually can give you a response, there are Ɵmes we cannot.  When we take your call, we seek to provide enough informaƟon to answer the quesƟon and  when necessary, provide reassurance of safety.  However, due to the nature of certain incidents,  we may have to defer some quesƟons or request you complete a request for data to access the  informaƟon.  Law enforcement is held to statutory requirements regarding the release of data;  we have a  policy that outlines the manner in which we will release data.  MHPD policy requires   all data be requested in wriƟng, we have a 10 day window to release or deny data, and certain  charges apply depending on the type of data we will release.  While these requirements may  seem arduous, the law is in place to protect everyone and to ensure you can access data to  which you are enƟtled.  While Mendota Heights is a town with a sense of community, care and concern, situaƟons can  be volaƟle and generate ill‐will toward others.   While the general rule is all government data is  public unless deemed non‐public, we at MHPD have an elevated need to protect the data sub‐ jects which may prevent an immediate response to your general inquiry.   We release what we  can legally!  For more informaƟon on this topic, go to:  hƩp://www.ipad.state.mn.us/docs/accessmain.html.    Tell your friends and neighbors: Call 9-1-1 any time you need Police, Fire or Ambulance to respond to: situations requiring a police ofϐicer, including accidents, burglaries/thefts, property dam- age, parking complaints, ordinance violations or animal control. someone in of need medical attention, see ϐire, see smoke or hear a ϐire alarm. report odd, suspicious or criminal activity, i.e. shouts for help, breaking glass, loitering, tres- passing, or suspicious vehicles/people. an accident, ϐire or crime you witnessed. Mendota Heights residents with informational questions or questions regarding reports, inves- tigations, persons under arrest, impounded vehicles/animals or community programs can con- tact the Mendota Heights Police Department at 651.452.1366, Monday - Friday, 8:00am— 4:30pm. For urgent questions outside of business hours, contact the Dakota Communications Center at 651.322.2323. Submitted By: Police Support Specialist Kim Henning 2     Threats Friday 0857 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local insurance company on a call of a threat. In meeting with the employee, she stated a current policy holder had called in and left a message threatening to come in and beat someone up. Larrive made contact with the threatening party and advised them to cease the threatening calls or she would be charged. The party, while still not happy, advised she wanted to file an insurance fraud report on the insurance company. No report made yet. DWI Sunday 0146 hours While on routine patrol Officer Denise Urmann observed a vehicle at a high rate of speed then come to a screeching stop at a green light. Urmann turned on her emergency lights yet the vehicle continued until it pulled into a driveway then into a garage. The male lone occupant got out of the vehicle and when asked why he didn't stop, he said because he didn't want to stop back there when he needed to go home. Urmann could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from him along with many other indicators this individual was under the influence. SFST’s were performed and all failed. He was then transported to Dakota County Jail and his car got to remain at home in the garage. Burglary Monday 1058 hours Complainant called on two suspicious males walking up her neighbor’s driveway and then standing outside a door. She didn't notice any vehicle nearby that could have belonged to them. Officers Patrick, Petersen, Fordham and two assisting WSP officers responded to the scene to find the service door slightly ajar and a piece of the door frame laying on the ground. The suspects had fled and as of this time, nothing yet report- ed stolen. The homeowner had left for a quick 20-min errand and within this short timeframe, the burglary occurred. Under investigation. We encourage all homeowners to secure their home properly with locks and/or security system, to always be aware of the surroundings in your neighborhood and to call in any suspicious activity right away! Crash Tuesday 1213 hours The manager of the Pool & Yacht Club called after a semi struck the trestle bridge and drove off. The caller noted the semi would be damaged on the top front the company name off the side of the truck as well as providing information on the direction of travel. Officer Scott Patrick responded to investigate. Union Pa- cific Railroad sent an inspector to the scene who advised about an hour later that the bridge was not dam- aged. Closed Medical / Social Services Referral Tuesday 1653 hours Officer Responded to a medical at a residence. Upon arrival he found the party was unconscious, seated on the toilet. HealthEast paramedics and MHFD arrived a short time later to assist and the party was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the hospital. The living conditions inside of the home were so poor that Officer Rosse requested Dakota County Social Services check to see if the person should be treated as a vul- nerable adult. Domestic Problems Tuesday 1838 hours The DCC dispatched Officer Mike Shepard to the police department where he meet with a party having issues at home. The reporter was looking for advice on how to handle a 52 YOA son who lives at home and is verbally abusive. Provided options and answered questions. 3     Burglary (unfounded) Wednesday 0826 hours Elderly caller reported coming into her room to find three young men sitting at her kitchen table. The young men said they were relatives of her son; she reportedly found things missing later and was suspicious. After speaking with the caller and with caregivers, Officer Bobby Lambert determined the caller was having dementia issues and soon made contact with a family member. The son was advised they were aware of the problem and were actively seeking more appropriate living placement. Call unfounded. Not so Civil Stand by Wednesday 1625 hours Officer Mike Shepard went with a contractor who had a falling out with a homeowner about a project. The homeowner decided not to continue with the project and the contractor had not been paid and left equip- ment at the persons home during a verbal altercation with the homeowner. The contractor had come to the police department to seek a civil standby while he retrieved his property. While on scene, standing just out- side of the door, the homeowner became angry, struck the officer, grabbed the contractor’s paperwork and attempted to run inside the house. She was placed under arrest; unfortunately that didn't stop her from hit- ting and kicking Officer Shepard. Once other officers arrived at the house she was taken into custody and transported to jail. Formal charges were issued for assaulting a police officer and obstruction. Detox Wednesday 2011 hours Officer Mike Shepard, along with Sergeant Eric Petersen, responded to a call for help from a woman whose boyfriend was out of control. When the officers arrived they were met by the woman who stated her boy- friend was drunk and wrecking stuff in the house. Upon making contact with the man it was immediately obvious he was intoxicated and upset. A PBT revealed a BAC of .252. The man’s adult son respectfully de- clined to come and take custody of his father. Reservations were made at the Ramsey County Detox facility. Domestic Wednesday 2303 hours Officer Jeff VonFeldt and Sergeant Eric Petersen responded to MHPD on a person in the lobby wishing to report a domestic. Mom and 16 YOA were at the PD when Sergeant Petersen arrived to take a statement. Officer VonFeldt respond to the home were the father was located. Mom and 16 YOA provided a story about what occurred to Sgt Petersen, at the home the story was confirmed. The father refused to cooperate in filing an assault charge against the 16 YOA who did not wish to do homework. All agreed to leave it until the next day to work it out. Solicitor Citations Thursday 1513 hours Homeowner called to report two young men going door to door attempting to sell a VW car. MHPD had received other calls of other instances of this suspicious activity, but they were well after the fact with no sus- pect information. This reporter called city hall to confirm that no permits were issued to the men before calling for an officer. Officer Scott Patrick and Officer Lambert located the two a short time later and after some discussion on what they were up to, it was learned they literally had been going door—to-door to sell cars. Soliciting is not allowed in the city and they were issued a citation. Shots Heard Round the City Friday 0200 hours MHPD received many calls from residents regarding possible shots fired. Officers checked the areas of each caller and found nothing suspicious or any activity to report on. Reports of the shots came in from callers on the north central part of the city near Wentworth Park and eventually stopped in the south central area just off of Dodd Road — so it truly could have happened anywhere. GOA/cleared. 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! 11/01 ‐ 11/08 2013 YTD Calls for Service 166 7299 Citations 36 1335 Warnings 20 1137 Police Reports 20 917 Response Time Average 5.45 5.17 Check out the MH Crime Map! Click below to search your neighborhood: http://mendota.prophoenix.com/CS/CrimeMapping.aspx 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.