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06 19 15 JTF1 1 The latest from the Mendota Heights Police Department CHIEF Mike Aschenbrener SERGEANTS Eric Petersen Tanner Spicer Peyton Fleming Bobby Lambert POLICE OFFICERS Jerry Murphy John Larrive Todd Rosse Jeff Vonfeldt Steven Meyer Denise Urmann Michael Shepard Nick Gorgos Robin Nelson Steve Hilyar Phillip McCarty INVESTIGATIONS Chad Willson SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER Jennifer Fordham SUPPORT STAFF Kim Henning Trista Miller Lisa Brandt Becky Pentel RESERVES Randy Pentel Jim Knox Jeff Parker CHAPLAINS Butch Millett John Snider Alberto Vargas Lynn Liberman Sue Plucker Joel Detlefsen Lenny Andrie JUNE 19, 2015 “THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MILITARIZATION OF AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT” I’ve been a Mendota Heights Police Officer for nineteen years, fifteen of which I was a member of the Dakota County Multi-Agency Assistance Group (DCMAAG) aka SWAT. I retired from the team in January as its Team Commander. During my time on the team I’ve responded to over 160 high -risk SWAT activations as both an operator and supervisor on the team. Contrary to what some folks might believe, SWAT’s primary mission is to save lives! Tactical teams accomplish that mission through education, training, experience and resources not always afforded to first responders. There’s been a lot of focus in the media about the “militarization of American law enforcement,” which has been fueled by recent incidents like the Ferguson riots. DCMAAG has two armored vehi- cles in their fleet, a 2008 Lenco Bearcat and a 2007 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored vehi- cle (MRAP). The later was acquired through the Government’s Surplus Equipment Program via the Law Enforcement Support Offices back in 2013. The $658,000 armored vehicle was purchased for the cost of shipping it to MN ($2,800). Over the past several years the government has been in the process of repurposing unused equipment to local law enforcement. The intent is to provide neces- sary equipment to assist law enforcement in safe guarding our communities. How any single piece of equipment is implemented within the agency has, to this point, been left for the agency to decide. DCMAAG, the DCMAAG Board and its Chiefs have always done extensive research of new equipment before making any acquisition decisions. Both the Bearcat and MRAP are considered “rescue” vehicles in that they provide a level of ballistic protection unmatched in law enforcement. Armored vehicles allow tactical team members to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively inside the “hot zone.” It affords them a quicker and safer response to innocents inside the “hot zone” and provides protection in removing them from the “hot zone.” Over the past seven years these “game changers” have played a vital role in the successful resolu- tion of incidents. Without them, many incidents could have easily been escalated to a higher level of force which may subsequently result in injury and/or death to suspects, officers or the public. In 2013 and 2014, the team was activated 27 times for incidents ranging from armed barricaded subjects to high risk warrant services. During that same period the Bearcat was deployed with a limited number of on duty officers and tactical team members to 12 armed barricaded incidents. All 12 incidents were resolved without having to call out the entire DCMAAG team and all were re- solved with little to no injuries to those involved. Armored vehicles will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding our communities. 2 2 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Friday 10:36 hours Officer Phil McCarty responded to a suspicious vehicle report in front of a home being watched for illegal activity. Upon approach, Officer McCarty smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver stated her friends frequently smoke marijuana in her vehicle. Officer McCarty found a metal tool often used to grind raw marijuana. Inside the grinder was marijuana residue. The driver also possessed an expired Instruction Permit. The driver was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and a Provisional Driver’s License Violation. Assaulting a Police Officer Friday 23:31 hours Officer Robin Nelson, along with assistance of Officers Mike Shepard, Jeff VonFeldt and Sgt. Tanner Spicer, responded to a call for assistance from Dakota County Park Rangers on a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival officers found what appeared to be a tinfoil tube attached to the tail pipe of the vehicle which then led to the back of the trunk. A female was inside the vehicle covered in a blanket who appeared very intoxicated. As officers began to search the vehicle and question her ,she became verbally abusive to the offic- ers. When the ambulance arrived on scene, the woman continued to be uncooperative and kicked Officer Shepard. The woman was sent to the hospital for evaluation. Charges of assaulting a police officer are pend- ing. Property Damage Accident/Hit and Run Saturday 08:47 hours Sgt. Tanner Spicer was dispatched to a gas station on report of a property damage hit and run crash. Suspect vehicle backed out of a parking space, hit the victim’s vehicle and drove away, causing minor damage to the victim vehicle. There is no information on the suspect vehicle or the driver. Case is inactive pending any further developments. Warrant Arrest Saturday 09:35 hours Sgt. Tanner Spicer along with Officer Phil McCarty and John Larrive were dispatched to a gas station where it was reported that a male had been sitting inside his vehicle for a long time and appeared to be using narcotics. Officers arrived and a check of the male’s driver’s license revealed an active warrant for his arrest from Ramsey County. The male was arrested and transported to Ramsey County Jail. Burglary Sunday 21:04 hours Sgt. Bobby Lambert responded to a residence on a report of a no -forced-entry burglary. Homeowners arrived home and found that someone entered the lower level of their home earlier in the evening while they were out for a walk. The suspect entered the unlocked lower level door which set off an audible alarm. The also opened a second interior door which was also tripped by the alarm. Homeowners state that nothing was missing and there was no damage sustained. There are no suspects at this time. Parking Complaint Monday 00:12 hours Officer Lambert followed up on a complaint of a boat and trailer parked in the street for well over 24 hours. The trailer had been marked the previous day and it had not moved since. A citation was left with the boat and trailer for a 24 Parking Ordinance violation. Theft Monday 06:42 A residence reported she was notified by the Burnsville Police Department that some of her mail was found in their city. She had not realized anything was stolen. She followed best practices and reported the theft to her financial institutions and reported the theft of mail to us in order to create a case number in the event. She said she would keep a close eye on her accounts and report to us if she found any theft or fraud. 3 3 Theft—gasoline Monday 16:11 Officer Fordham responded to a local gas station on report of theft of gas. The store employee and witness gave plate and details on the suspect who pumped the gas, the driver and the passengers in the car. It was also learned that this same plate and similar suspect descriptions were involved in other thefts. In Park After Hours Tuesday 00:27 While patrolling the local parks after hours, Sergeant Fleming found three vehicles parked outside the closed park. Inside, he found five individuals around a fire in the fire pit. This same park has seen an increase in activity after hours and has even reportedly been socially communicated as a great party spot. The only illegal activity was their presence in the park after hours. Each of the males were cited for this ordinance violation. Check the Welfare Tuesday 22:42 Officers Phil McCarty and Denise Urmann, along with Sergeant Fleming, responded to a report of a female screaming for help in a nearby home. Upon arrival, they did indeed find someone screaming. It was simply a juvenile female, upset because Mom took away her iPad. Mom said the daughter does occasionally have tan- trums like that. Nothing physical took place. Officers spoke with the young lady about her behavior resulting in a police visit. The youth stated she understood. Officers cleared. Unwanted Communications Wednesday 09:40 Sergeant Spicer took a report from a female who wanted her ex-boyfriend, estranged for over 30 years, to cease contact with her. The relationship occurred in high school and it turned into a an undesirable situation when he began stalking her. He has lately renewed contact and informed her he is working nearby. The re- porting party wanted us to be aware but not yet get in contact with him. She was advised to seek an HRO against the party and to call police if contact continues or if he shows up at her work . Check the Welfare Wednesday 15:56 Officers Todd Rosse, Jennifer Fordham and Sergeant Spicer responded to a business on report of a party found at their business, under the influence. The man was a past employee and upon making contact, offic- ers found him not only slurring his speech but smelling of alcohol. He couldn’t say how much he drank as he had drank straight up from a Windsor bottle. He also stated he had driven there from Lakeville over 1 1/2 hours ago. Officer Rosse administered a PBT and found he had a BAC of .352!! Due to his dangerously high level of intoxication, he was transported to the hospital and his vehicle was privately towed per the busi- ness. No charges for the DUI as it was not witnessed and his level of intoxication while he had been driving was unknown. Dumpster Fire Wednesday 11:37 Officer Rosse responded to a dumpster fire, which was extinguished by MHFD without incident. It was learned that two teenagers were seen near the business before the fire started. The witness thought they were just jogging but when the fire started wondering if they might be involved. Information, including surveillance footage, will be followed up on by investigations. No financial loss. Warrant Arrest Thursday 13:32 Sergeant Spicer and Officer Steve Hilyar participated in a Warrant details organized thru the Sheriff’s Office and they did make an arrest of a subject in our city on a warrant for 5th Degree Drug Possession out of Washington County. Subject arrested without incident and turned over to a Wash Co Deputy. 4 4 Congrats to Sergeant Bobby Lambert! MHPD continues to evolve and change, most significantly with staffing. Sergeant Lambert began his official duties on 6/13, and was sworn in as a Sergeant at the City Council meeting on 6/16/15. As you read in his front page “Did You Know?” article, Bobby has been with MHPD for 19 years and has held many leadership roles, most significantly as Team Commander of the DCMAAG/SWAT Team. Congrats on your promotion as you join the MHPD leadership team. 06/12- 06/18 2015 YTD Calls for Service 140 3249 Citations 22 269 Warnings 35 339 Police Reports 22 509 Response Time Average 5.18 5.32 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 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!