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01 31 14 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 Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Peyton Fleming SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER 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 Lenny Andrie CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener JANUARY 31, 2014 Have you been wondering, “What is the deal with all this marijuana legalization talk?” With a dual role as Police Ofϐicer and School Resource Ofϐicer, I am routinely asked my position on this de- bate. I usually just say I do not agree with legalization, but I never really considered, “Why not?” I decided to do some research and educate myself on the topic as it approaches closer to home. There are a lot of persuasive arguments out there on both sides of this issue. My article focuses mainly on the effects of marijuana use and “youth.” In states like Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal at age 21, you may wonder why I worry about “youth.” My one basic reason: I feel legalizing a substance sends a message that, “It is not a big deal,” or, “If it is ‘legal,’ it can’t be bad for you!” Is that the message we want to send to our kids? With that in mind, here are some Pros/Cons to consider: PRO: It will generate income for states in the form of tax revenue and boost the economy with new business. CON: State Income vs. Cost to Society? The Ofϐice of National Drug Control Policy states, “While taxing marijuana could generate some revenues for state and local governments, research suggests that the economic costs associated with use of the drug could far outweigh any beneϐit gained from an increase in tax revenue. Research has also found that 1 in 11 users will become addicted to mariju- ana AND if a person starts using before the age of 18, that number changes to 1 in 6! So yes, is there money to be made, absolutely, but at what cost? PRO: Marijuana is not harmful or addictive. CON: Marijuana producers have increased THC, the addictive substance in marijuana, four‐ fold since the 1970’s. This isn’t the same marijuana that was being smoked at Woodstock. We all probably know people who have used marijuana in their younger years recreationally and maybe even into their adult life. It didn’t appear to have any negative effects on their health, jobs, personal life, etc. However, ...MĆėĎďĚĆēĆ ĚĘĊ ĎĘ ęčĊ #1 ėĊĆĘĔē ĆĉĔđĊĘĈĊēęĘ ĆėĊ ĆĉĒĎęęĊĉ ęĔ ĘĚćĘęĆēĈĊ ĆćĚĘĊ ęėĊĆęĒĊēę ĕėĔČėĆĒĘ Ďē ęčĊ US ęĔĉĆĞ! We consider illicit drugs such as co- caine, heroin and methamphetamine and prescription addictions as being the most alarming con- cerns. However, while they are extremely harmful and accessible, they do not create the majority of adolescents seeking treatment for substance abuse. Consider the taxpayer impact on costs to cover public safety, healthcare, insurance, schools and treatment programs. While this article may be one-sided, my intention was to avoid complacency, empower you to do your own fact ϐinding. Be informed, take an educated stance! I hope we, as a community, as a state, as voters and stakeholders, don’t just “go with the ϐlow” because I personally and professionally FEAR what will come from that kind of thinking, as well as policy and law changes and the nega- tive effect on our children and our grandchildren that will follow. See the ϐlyer on the next page for an informative seminar in February—registration deadline is 2/12/14! Check it out and sign up! BĊ EĉĚĈĆęĊĉ! http://www.marrch.org http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/marijuanainfo/ http://www.rand.org/search.html#eyJxdWVyeSI6Im1hcmlqdWFuYSJ9 Respectfully Submitted By: Officer Jennifer Fordham 2     3     BE SURE TO BE AT THE MOOSE COUNTRY THE MOOSE COUNTRY THE MOOSE COUNTRY TOMORROW, 2/1, BETWEEN 12/1, BETWEEN 12/1, BETWEEN 1———4 PM4 PM4 PM, TO WITNESS THE BLAZIN’ CHALLENGE BLAZIN’ CHALLENGE BETWEEN MHPD & MHFD! YOU WOULDN’T BE- LIEVE THE FABULOUS RAFFLE PRIZES WE HAVE TO GIVE AWAY FOR THIS FUNDRAIS- ER! LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Damage to Property Thursday 1104 hours Officers Scott Patrick & Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a local business on report of an out-of-control em- ployee who had left the building. Sergeant Garlock found her and brought her back to the work site. Management informed officers that while giving her a verbal reprimand, the situation escalated as the employee became angry. She left the room, throwing open the door so hard she pushed the protective rubber stoppers into the wall and put a nice hole in the wall. Citation issued; cleared by arrest. Property Damage/Accident Thursday 1749 hours Officer Peyton Fleming responded to a crash scene on property of a local gas station. Manager there stated the involved party, who had backed into another car, had been trespassed from the location on suspicion of theft. The victim driver provided the appropriate info, but the offending driver did not have valid insurance. Officer Fleming instructed him to 1.) Provide insurance info within 24 hours or get a citation, and 2.) Stay off property or be charged with trespassing. The gent agreed. Report made, officer cleared. Thefts from Auto Friday 0704 hours Officer Scott Patrick received two separate phone calls from owners of vehicles who found items missing. Owner #1 found an undamaged car but also found his paperwork, driver’s license, gift cards and some cash was missing. Driver #2 also found his car undamaged but he was missing his Bluetooth and an iPhone charger. No video available, no witnesses, no suspects; case inactive. Found Property Friday 0748 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a business on report of a suspicious, unattended suitcase in the parking lot. Upon checking out the suitcase, he was able to locate an owner, but contact was difficult until he reached the owner’s grandma, who was ecstatic! The owner ultimately arrived and happily took possession. Closed. Crisis Friday 1408 hours Dispatch aired a report of an intoxicated, suicidal female who was with a friend now but was also homeless. Officers Bobby Lambert and Officer Scott Patrick arrived and checked out the party. She was immediately put on a crisis hold and transported for care. Officers cleared. Marijuana at School Friday 1430 hours Principals notified Officer Jenny Fordham that they could smell marijuana in the hallway and soon determined the offending locker from whence the smell came. Within the locker they found marijuana and a pipe. The stu- dent was ultimately escorted to the officer and the student admitted it was his, the remainder of a $120 purchase he had recently made. Citation was issued and a discussion was had with the parents on options for next steps. Accident/Fail to Yield Friday 1620 hours Officer Todd Rosse was called to an accident with a possible injury. Upon arrival, he found one of the party’s ex- periencing some pain and HealthEast was called. He reviewed the scene and discuss what happened with both parties. The striking vehicle’s driver informed Officer Rosse that she underestimated the road conditions and was unable to stop, colliding with the other vehicle who had the right of way. A citation was issued for Failure to Yield Right of Way to a MV and the scene was cleared. 4     Theft—Gas Saturday 1800 hours Yet another gas station was the victim of theft of gas. The reporting party gave a good description of the male who stole the gas and provided the license plate also. Officer Mike Shepard took the information and is following up on tracking the owner and the suspect. Pending. Damage to Property Sunday 2120 hours Officer Mike Shepard met a complainant who found the window of his vehicle was smashed out while it was parked in a parking lot. Luckily, nothing was reported stolen. No suspects or evidence, case is inactive. Assist Public Monday 0944 hours Dispatch requested officers to respond to a medical where the complainant had not been feeling well and believed she had symptoms similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. Officer Lambert arrived, followed by MHFD and HealthEast; they did find her 14 year old detector was not working and needed replacing. She did not wish to be transported, but did wish to borrow &/or purchase the CO2 detector unit they provided. Officers cleared. Forgery Monday 1153 hours A victim of forgery came into the police department to make a report. Officer Bobby Lambert learned that charg- es were made from her checking account at a Walmart in a city she had not been in. She had been contacted by the bank and learned they had returned the forged check to whomever passed it. She recently had sent out a cred- it card payment via the mail, but never saw the payment noted on her statement and she was charged a late fee. She contacted the credit card company and they were issuing her new cards. Case has been forwarded to Superi- or, WI police department for follow-up since that is where the fraudulent occurred. Accident Tuesday 0933 hours Officer John Larrive responded to complaint of an accident where a driver, backing out of the driveway, collided with an oncoming car. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage, but neither were towed. Report taken, officer cleared. Accident Wednesday 1339 hours Dispatch aired report of a driver who ran off the road and struck a power pole, severing the pole in half and se- verely damaging the vehicle. Officer John Larrive and Officer Bobby Lambert soon located the vehicle and found the driver had a diabetic reaction but was otherwise uninjured. Meanwhile, the road nearby was shutdown and Sergeant Neil Garlock handled re-directed traffic until Xcel responded and was able to lift the downed power lines and safely clear the scene. Reserve Officer George Castillo also responded to relieve officers with traffic detail. Suspicious Vehicle Thursday 1119 hours Officer John Larrive was on routine patrol in a neighborhood when he saw a vehicle with four occupants driving slowly; when they saw Officer Larrive and made eye contact, they immediately changed tack and “casually” at- tempted to lose him. He turned and followed it, but was flagged down by another driver with a question, and he lost it. Soon afterwards, a caller reported a suspicious vehicle that didn't belong (yep, the same one) driving slowly in another area. Vehicle was GOA, but a plate was obtained and information was noted for patrol shifts. Assist Public Thursday 1455 hours A resident called to see if someone could help her neighbor who had gotten so stuck in the driveway, he couldn’t move or get out of the car. Officer John Larrive responded and helped the gent out, getting the vehicle moved and out and then shoveling out the entrance. The reporting neighbor called back later to thank Officer Larrive for being so prompt and helpful. 5     In the spirit of competition, we at MHPD would like to inform you that this past summer, MHPD vs MHFD Kickball Competition, MHPD was the clear winner in that challenge. We are just as confident that we will maintain our champion status in this event. Come & cheer us ALL on!  6     Officer Bobby Lambert received an email from a resident thanking him for his assistance in his recent fraud case. The resident was fully reimbursed for the fraudulent transaction! Officer John Larrive & Sergeant Neil Garlock received kudos from a resident for their speedy, efficient help on the Lexington Ave hill at Hwy 13, where vehicles were off the road and skidding all over the place. They rounded up some plow and tow trucks and soon the area was clear and safe again. Way to Go! 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! 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. Make your House Check Request online at www.mendota-heights.com, visit us in the MHPD lobby to complete a form or call us 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. 1/23—1/30 2014 YTD Calls for Service 135 652 Citations 27 171 Warnings 16 85 Police Reports 11 66 Response Time Average 4.31 4.81