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COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2004 APPROVED 145 to properly install a car seat. He stated the number of community crime watch groups went from 36 .46 to 39, and there were 26 scheduled block parties for National Night Out; also a great success. He 147 stated they currently have 10 reserve officers who are invaluable to the department, helping with 148 traffic control and the transport program, which helps keep officers in the city. He indicated they had 149 1087 volunteer hours in 2003. 150 151 Sergeant Mortenson advised they started a chaplain program with two local chaplains, whose goal is 152 to assist as needed for citizens and officers. He stated the chaplains participate in ride alongs, and 153 have proven to be a great asset to the group. He reviewed some of their training programs, both for 154 officers and the public. He stated Emergency Management is another big area they have focused on. 155 He indicated the Office Manager put a plan together for them, and developed a resource manual, 156 which puts emergency resource information at their fingertips. 157 158 Sergeant Mortenson stated the Lino Lakes police department participated in several exercises over the 159 course of the year, including an active shooter exercise and a mock drill of an escaped prisoner. He 160 indicated the department experienced a 5% increase in calls for service, which is equal to the city's 161 growth, and was expected. He stated that Lino Lakes is the safest city in Anoka County. 162 163 Councilmember Reinert indicated that for the benefit of anyone listening, he has been on the City 164 Council for four years and has learned that the Lino Lakes Police Department is one of the best in the 165 Twin Cities area. He indicated that on February 9th he received a letter from a citizen that 166 demonstrates what kind of a police department Lino Lakes has. He read the letter which indicated a 167 woman caring for her grandchildren woke up ill, and thought she was having a stroke. She called 168 911, and the police department arrived in three to four minutes. She indicated the officers were up69 friendly and helpful, and contacted her daughter in Michigan. They then made sure her grandchildren 170 were well cared for until her daughter could get back to Minnesota. Councilmember Reinert stated 171 this highlights the great job their police department is doing. 172 173 Councilmember Carlson asked the police department to consider adding the names of the Citizens 174 Committee. She indicated that for Part II crimes they were the third best city in 2001 and the fourth 175 best in 2002. She believes a few years ago that they were the second best city. She thinks going 176 forward it would be helpful to see where the calls are occurring for these lesser crimes. She stated 177 that Officers McCarthy and Hager have earned the James Trudeau Award for putting on drug 178 recognition classes that have received a lot of recognition. She advised the classes are for teachers, 179 parents and counselors to educate them on what kind of drugs and drug paraphernalia kids are using 180 now. She indicated each time the officers put on this class they get thank you letters. She 181 commented it is officers like this that give Lino Lakes the reputation they do have. 182 183 Councilmember Stoltz indicated this is an excellent report, and he added his thanks to the department. 184 He indicated something to note on page 35 is that for Part I crimes Lino Lakes has less calls than all 185 other Anoka County cities. He asked why Lino Lakes would be less than their peers would. 186 187 Sergeant Mortenson indicated he would only be speculating, but the quality of life in Lino Lakes is 188 good. He thinks the police department is part of the reason, but all the city departments should take 189 credit. He stated the city has seen a lot of growth, but the people who live here make Lino Lakes 190 special and improve the quality of life. •191 4