6
• HOWARD LAKE COMMUNITY GUIDE 2009 •
By Chief Tracy Vetruba Howard Lake Police Department The Howard Lake Police Department has focused on leveraging partnerships with other agencies to increase our efficiency in delivering the services our citizens expect. HLPD partnered with Buffalo Police Department and Annandale Police Department in our records management server. We Chief Tracy can also track a person’s involvement with Vetruba the other two departments. We have also recently entered into a partnership with the Buffalo and Annandale police departments in a citation diversion program. The diversion program allows low-level violators to avoid the normal channels of criminal prosecution for minor traffic offenses. The program also requires the violator to take a two-hour class about driving dangers called SMART (Speed Management and Accident Reduction Training). During the class students are shown videos on what happens during a crash. and they are given instruction about behaviors that should be avoided to prevent these types of crashes. Contact the Howard Lake Police Department for more information on this program.
Policing in the age of technology It seems every year new technology presents new challenges in policing. Laws have not kept up until recently with email, text messages, and the Internet. The Howard Lake Police Department has focused on using available resources to meet its needs. It’s tough to stay on top with limited budgets. Policing in a small town limits us in what technology tools we can afford. Getting the most we can for our money is more important
than ever. It seems that every high school student has his or her own cell phone. Many of the middle school students do too. Cell phones present new challenges for school administrators. Many have heard about the new issues with “Sexting.” Often young people don’t consider the consequences of their actions. In a digital age, the information can be easily reproduced and shared among many others. If you discover inappropriate messages or photos on your child’s phone, seek assistance with school officials or the police department so this can be resolved before additional crimes occur.
Overview of the police department The Howard Lake Police Department is a progressive police department that serves the citizens of Howard Lake. The department consists of three full-time officers along with its K-9 Felony, and six part-time officers. We are actively involved in a number of programs that include the following: Nitecap Operation, HLWW MEADA (Methamphetamine Education and Drug Awareness), Safe Schools of HLWW, Safe Communities of Wright County, Region 12 Canine Association, Rivers of Hope Domestic Violence Prevention, and Wright Technical Center Curriculum Committee. Our evening officers, Officer Eric Anderson and Officer Darek Szczepanik, work a night shift that includes patrol, responding to calls, medicals and working with K-9 Felony. They are also assigned to work with the above programs to address the needs of the citizens and work with many community groups. Our part-time officers assist in filling shifts for training, vacations, sick leave, and community events which include the following: Howard Lake Business Expo, child fingerprinting program during the HLWW Community Education Family Night, Good Neighbor Days celebration, and more, along with our non-scheduled events that come up during the year. With the use of K-9 Felony, we are active in our enforcement of narcotics complaints and trafficking along Highway 12. Felony is utilized on the evening patrol seven nights a week. He also performs unannounced searches at the HLWW High School.
Photo by Jennifer Gallus
HLPD has sponsored National Night Out events for the last three years. K-9 Felony is on hand to demonstrate his drugsniffing skills. Felony works the night shift and when needed.
To contact the police department... call (320) 543-3670 or email hlpd@howard-lake-mn.us
Photo by Jennifer Gallus
One of the more enjoyable responsibilities of the HLPD is leading the kiddie parade during Good Neighbor Days.