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COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 1998
<br /> The Police Department continues to strive to meet its goals and objectives and to adhere to its
<br /> Mission and Value Statements while realizing that any future successes are based solely upon the
<br /> Department's ability to enlist citizen support as police standards are raised and challenged. Chief
<br /> Pecchia added the Police Department graciously accepts the challenge and looks forward to
<br /> continued Council support and cooperation in the never-ending search for excellence.
<br /> At the present time the Police Department consists of 18 full-time police officers (1 chief of
<br /> police, 3 sergeants, 1 investigator, 1 youth resource officer, and 1 DARE officer), 2 full-time and
<br /> 1 part-time clerical positions, and 1 community service officer. Eighteen reserve officers are
<br /> authorized. Chief Pecchia explained that the Department is in the process of utilizing the
<br /> precinct policing concept,which provides for officers and supervisors to be assigned to the
<br /> voting precincts within the City to deal with neighborhood issues.
<br /> Sergeant Strege then, through use of visual aids, reviewed the Lino Lakes Police Department
<br /> Mission Statement, its Values Statement,the Department's 1997 goals, personnel changes, use of
<br /> federal and state grants, general and reserve activities, training, and statistical comparisons of
<br /> alarms, assault, auto theft, residential and nonresidential burglary, auto accidents, careless and
<br /> reckless driving, criminal sexual conduct, curfew violation, domestic assault, DUIs, fatalities,
<br /> homicide,juvenile alcohol/tobacco violations, medicals,narcotics violations,personal injury
<br /> accidents,property damage accidents,public assistance requests, calls for service,robberies,
<br /> snowmobile thefts, suspicious activities, theft,threats, traffic citations,traffic warnings, and
<br /> ^ weapons violations over the past few years. Highlights of this presentation were the
<br /> Department's ongoing efforts to enhance volunteerism through the addition of five (5)reserve
<br /> officers who donated more than 3,000 hours of service, review and revision of hunting and
<br /> snowmobiling ordinances by both the City and the Police Department as well as the creation and
<br /> implementation of new pawn broker and parking ordinances, and continuing efforts to improve
<br /> communication through team building meetings with City Staff, enhancement of monthly crime
<br /> watch newsletters to neighborhood watch groups,utilization of the City quarterly newsletter, and
<br /> presentation of meetings and video tapes regarding public safety through the cable television
<br /> service.
<br /> Council Member Lyden mentioned the increase in incidence of house alarm calls, asking if this
<br /> represents concern to the Police Department. Officer Strege explained that the increase in calls
<br /> does not represent a burden to the Department. In most cases no unauthorized entry is involved
<br /> but it is better to respond to a suspicious call with no necessity for arrest than to be unaware of a
<br /> legitimate break-in.
<br /> Council Member Neal pointed out that other communities charge a fee for responding to house
<br /> alarm calls, asking if this is the policy for Lino Lakes. Officer Strege explained that the first
<br /> three(3) calls within any calendar year are free of charge. However, a fee is involved for
<br /> subsequent calls.
<br /> Chief Pecchia stated that in April of this year the Department hopes to have Minnesota State
<br /> statistics available for use in creating a comparative study between Lino Lakes and neighboring
<br /> communities,which will ultimately result in a supplemental report to Council.
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