`0Colonel Jerry Lee
Chief of Police
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CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY
The West County and Fenton Precincts are hosting a Citizen Police Academy that started on Thursday, February 5th. Week #6 of the academy featured speakers from the Police Crime Laboratory, the Crime Scene Unit and the Police Canine Unit. The academy will run for eight consecutive weeks with graduation on March 26, 2009. The academy is being held in the Rockwood Bank meeting room located at 1037 Majestic Drive, near the intersection of Highway 141 and Centurion Drive. Classes run from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. To register for the next class that will start in September or for further information, please contact Officer Lou Major at the West County Precinct at 636-256-7075 or e-mail or Officer Aaron Dilks at the Fenton Precinct at 636-349-8120 or
CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI IN THE NEWS
Citizen Police Academy graduates John Seitz and Irene Hannon recently called to say hello. John is a master wine cellar designer and builder and has been traveling around the country the last four years. John has been featured in the Wine Enthusiast magazine and owns the Magnum Corporation.
Irene Hannon graduated from the Citizens Police Academy in the fall of 2006. Irene is an award-winning author of 27 novels and has made her suspense debut this past February with “Against All Odds”, Book 1 in her Heroes of Quantico series, which is a fast-paced, high-action story set on two continents.
If you know of or aware of noteworthy accomplishments of our alumni, please let us know.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER NEWS-SGT. BURK
Nice weather is here and with it brings challenges. Those of us, who have teen children, need to make sure we talk to them about driving. In our office, we normally see an increase in speeding complaints when spring weather arrives. This is also the Prom season for several schools, and unfortunately the party season. Remember how invincible we all felt at that age?
According to the Center for Disease Control, on an average, 12,175 children, ages 0-19, die each year in the United States from unintentional injuries. Injuries due to transportation are the leading cause. One dangerous activity is car surfing. This involves a person riding on the hood or roof of a moving vehicle. Since 1990, at least 99 people have died or sustained serious injuries from car surfing. In 2005, 12 teens died each day in vehicle crashes. In particular, in 2006, 13,470 people died in alcohol impaired vehicle crashes. We can endlessly quote statistics.
Statistics really don’t matter when it is our child, neighbor, relative or friend. The high schools will soon be distributing information on drinking and driving. In addition to this, we should provide guidance, preferably by example. Talk to your teen; let them know if they find themselves in a situation where they are uncomfortable, they can call you for a ride. It might be the most valuable decision you can make.
NORTH SECTOR
· A resident in the 200 block of Oak Moss reported their identity was used to open E-Trade accounts. Officer Sebek conducted the initial investigation and the Computer, Fraud and Financial Unit will follow up.
· Officer Mueller arrested a female motorist on I-44 near Antire for Driving While Intoxicated.
· A FedEx package left at the front door of a residence in the 1600 block of Carman Valley Drive was reported stolen. Officer Quint is investigating this case.
· Officer Heffron investigated the theft of a 2003 Nissan from the 400 block of Prospect Creek Drive.
· Officer Maxwell caught two suspects stealing wooden pallets from the rear of a business located in the 14000 block of Manchester Road. The suspects were issued Arrest Notifications.
· Officer Corwin arrested a suspect in the 1200 block of Old Orchard Center for Assaulting a Law Enforcement Officer.
· Officer Shepard arrested a suspect in the 300 block of Windy Oak for Domestic Assault 3rd.
· A mailbox and post located in the 800 block of Crescent Oaks was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. Officer Quint is investigating this case.
SOUTH SECTOR
· At 1:00 AM, Officer Maxwell stopped a 20-year old female motorist for speeding on Smizer Mill at Praise. A search of the vehicle was conducted after the odor of marijuana was detected. A bag of marijuana and a drug pipe was found hidden in the car. The driver was issued an Arrest Notification.
· Officer Koenig investigated a fight at Rockwood Summit High School. Four students were taken into custody and referred to Family Court for their participation in the disturbance.
· Officer Wehner discovered 4 suspects trespassing on private property in the 2000 block of Smizer Station and issued Arrest Notifications for the offense.
· A vehicle parked in the 900 block of Tree Trails was found tipped. Officer Craig is investigating this proerty damage case.
· The resident of a home in the 1900 block of Harbor Mill Drive reported that someone broke into their residence and stole an item. The Burglary Unit will do the follow up investigation.
· Officer Soll arrested a suspect for Property Damage and Assault. When the suspect was caught “keying” a vehicle, the suspect assaulted the witness by throwing a rock.
· The resident of a home in the 1200 block of Green Knoll reported that someone stole a 4-wheeler that was located in the open carport.
CLARKSON VALLEY---VALLEY PARK---WINCHESTER ---TWIN OAKS
· A vehicle parked in the 500 block of 8th Street was broken into and a GPS unit was stolen.
· A bicycle was reported stolen from the yard of a residence in the 500 block of Benton Street. Officer Diedrick is the investigating officer.
· Officer Lehman is investigating the slashing of all four tires on the victim’s car. The victim was able to identify a suspect and further investigation by Officer Lehman will take place.
· Officer Steckler is investigating an assault that occurred in the 100 block of Forest Parkway. The suspect broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and assaulted her current boyfriend.
GOOD JOB OFFICER SOLL!
Acting on a citizen tip, Officer Soll spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a suspicious vehicle that was observed in the Arlington Glen Subdivision. Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Soll discovered numerous items inside the vehicle that was suspicious. During the following investigation, the five occupants of the vehicle were arrested for Stealing and Possession of Stolen Merchandise. Thousands of dollars of goods were recovered and later released to their owners. The five occupants of the vehicle had been stealing items from unlocked motor vehicles just prior to being stopped by Officer Soll.
THE ORDINANCE CORNER
Funeral processions on public roadways are very common during spring. Motorists driving in these processions must be very alert. Per Ordinance 1218.070, drivers in a funeral procession are required to follow the preceding vehicle in the procession as closely as practical and safe. Also, a driver in a funeral procession following the lead vehicle through an intersection must exercise the highest degree of care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian in the road.
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
· Consider removing spare car keys from the interior of your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for any valet keys that could start your car. Car thieves always check for spare keys too.
· Avoid using debit cards when out of town. In case of compromise, it may be more difficult to recover lost funds from their use. Use credit cards when traveling.
· Do not post your name on your mailbox. Do not use your curbside mailbox for outgoing mail.
· Consider purchasing a shredder and use it to destroy documents that may contain your name and critical account numbers.
· Always keep your garage door down. Make sure any side entrance doors have deadbolt locks. The garage is a great way for thieves to enter into your home.
· Be very suspicious of anyone who approaches you while you are using an ATM machine.
STATISTICS ANYONE?
For the month of February 2009, officers of the West County Precinct issued 309 radar citations, 288 citations for various moving violations, 348 citations for non-moving violations and 51 parking tickets. Officers completed 405 reports, arrested 21 subjects for felony crimes and 70 subjects for misdemeanor crimes. Officers arrested 18 intoxicated motorists.
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