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04 25 14 JTF1 Do you know your neighbors? Getting to know the people that live nearby helps create a sense of belonging and strengthens connections and trust, which ultimately contributes to a happier neighborhood. Neighbors will move in and move out, making it difficult with our busy lives to connect with our neighbors. We all want to feel safe, secure and happy with where we live so even a quick hello can make a big impact on how we feel within our neighborhood. Greeting your neighbors may seem awkward at first, but just a little bit of confidence can start that connection. When one neighbor sees that others are connecting, it may give them the courage to communicate as well and so on. Here are a few things you can do to connect with your neighbors: If you pass someone in the street, start by smiling or saying hello. Try to find an opportunity to introduce yourself and spark a conversation based on what he or she is doing at that moment. For example, if they are walking a dog, ask them more about their dog; if they are gardening, compliment their work, etc. Start with the positive to keep the negative at bay. If someone new moves to the neighborhood, make them feel welcome by introducing yourself, bring a small welcome to the neighborhood treat or offer advice on the area. If you are the newbie to the area, introduce yourself, tell your neighbors what brought you to the area, tell them a little bit about your family and your life, ask them for advice on the area. Always look for ways to help a neighbor and don’t be afraid to ask them for help. Supporting each other will create a high sense of well-being. Look for opportunities throughout the year to connect with your neighbors, for example: block parties, book groups, neighborhood watch committees, taking walks, lending a hand in someone’s home project, etc. The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt 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 CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener APRIL 25, 2014 Submitted By: Police Support Specialist Trista Miller Is Your Neighborhood Safe? If you are moving to a new area or are curious about your existing area, here are ϐive tips to make sure you reside in a place you know is safe and secure: 1. Use a Crime Mapping Service to view a breakdown of criminal activity. 2. Check the National Sex Offender Public Website for listings within neighboring zip codes. 3. Learn the homes for sale in your area. A large number of homes could mean increased crime, and a downturn in the market can attract the wrong crowd to the neighborhood. 4. Tour the neighborhood and look at the conditions. A well‐kept neighborhood typically means a safe one where owners take pride in their surroundings. 5. Talk to people in the area. Get to know your neighbors by introducing yourself and asking their opinion on the neighborhood, most importantly, any safety concerns. 2 Theft of Gas Wednesday 1330 hours Officer John Larrive responded to a local gas station on a gas drive-off. The store employee was able to get a suspect description as well as the vehicle information. In running the license plate, it did match the vehicle description. A phone number was located for the registered owner of the vehicle yet the number was busy and a voicemail option wasn't available. The suspect has an active probation officer which was contacted. Case pending. Theft Thursday 0827 hours Officer Bobby Lambert took a theft by swindle report via phone. The husband and wife attempted to make an online purchase of a jet ski on eBay. They wired the money to a credit union located out of New Jersey. The money has been removed from their account yet they have not seen the jet ski nor cannot make contact with the man who they made the transaction with. Under investigation. Trailer Theft Thursday 0934 hours Officer John Larrive was dispatched to a local business in reference to a theft. In meeting with the business owner, he stated that his trailer valued at $2,500 was stolen out of his parking lot. Business employees did a thorough search of all work sites to ensure the trailer wasn't placed at a job site but no success. No suspects at this time. Fraud Thursday 1158 hours Officer Bobby Lambert spoke with a woman in regard to fraudulent activity. The woman received a letter from a collection company stating she had a past due amount owed to AT&T. This brought concern to her so she obtained a copy of her credit report which showed that four fraudulent bank accounts had been opened up using her identity. The total amount of debt incurred in her name was $15,502. The address associated with these fraudulent account is listed out of Miami, FL. Under investigation. Health & Welfare Hold Thursday 1527 hours Officers Bobby Lambert and John Larrive responded to a home on a disturbance call involving an intoxicated adult female. Officers spoke to her boyfriend and a few other family members who all stated that she is depressed, has suicidal thoughts, lost her job and moved herself and kids into her sisters home as she is unable to care for them due to the alcohol and depression. Medics arrived and transported the woman to the hospital on a health and welfare hold. Recovered Property Saturday 1052 hours Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a home in reference to a recovered stolen license plate. The homeowners found the plate on the south side of Walgreens. The plate was confirmed as stolen out of St. Anthony. There are no suspects at this time. 3 Warrant Sunday 0026 hours Officer Tanner Spicer was in a parking lot assisting Officer Denise Urmann when he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from a parked vehicle. Spicer made contact with the occupant and confirmed he was smoking marijuana. The male occupant did fess up to having a warrant. The warrant was confirmed and he was transported to Dakota County Jail. Domestic/DWI Sunday 1759 hours Officers Tanner Spicer and Peyton Fleming were dispatched to a home for a physical domestic. Officers were met by two children and the father who stated that their mother and ex-wife was the problem. The woman stormed into the house yelling, struck one of the children and hit her ex-husband in the arm. The woman then left the home and sat in her car in the driveway. Fleming went out to speak with her and immediately smelled an alcoholic beverage coming from her. She went on to explain her story some of which was not legit. The children stated that she was driving them around prior to her arrival at the home so SFST’s were performed, all of which she failed so she was arrested for DWI and domestic assault. Crisis/Mental Health Sunday 2127 hours Officers Peyton Fleming and Tanner Spicer were dispatched to a group home on a female making suicidal threats, punched a wall and stuck a pin in her arm. The female was located and ultimately transported to the hospital on a health and welfare hold. The group home did not wish to pursue property damage charges caused by punching the wall. Theft Monday 0908 hours Officer John Larrive took a call from a complainant who stated that her sons bike had been stolen. The bike was parked unlocked outside of Walgreens and was unattended for approximately a half hour. Unfortunately Walgreens surveillance does not cover the bike rack area. There are no suspects. If you want to keep your bike, please use a lock when you leave it unattended. Suicidal Threats/Missing Person Monday 1918 hours Officer Scott Patrick was dispatched to a home on a report of a suicidal male who had just left the residence. Upon arrival, Patrick met with the complainant who stated that her grandson had threatened his life on Facebook then fled the home. A short time later, the male returned home and officers met him at the home to transport him to the hospital on a health and welfare hold. 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. 04/18—04/24 2014 YTD Calls for Service 134 2,535 Citations 21 590 Warnings 22 332 Police Reports 10 288 Response Time Average 5.90 5.78 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. MHPD ROCKS!