What’s To Come ~ 2006

The Owatonna Police Department Explorer Post #204 was founded in 1998. In 2005, the program had eight active Explorer members; Sergeant Rethemeier, Sergeant von Wald, Officer Fandel, Officer Sorenson, Officer Fogel, and Community Service Officer (CSO) Hunt served as advisors and mentors. The Explorer program is a young adult career education program for young men and women who are 14 and graduates of eighth grade or are 15 through 20 years of age. Law Enforcement Exploring is a youth development program centered around law enforcement careers and is a cooperative effort between the Owatonna Police Department and the Boys Scouts of America. The purpose of this program is to provide experiences to help young people mature, and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. The end result of a program of this nature is that the various program activities help youth pursue their special interests, grow and develop. Explorer programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, service learning, character education, and leadership experience. The programs are based on the Learning for Life Mission Statement: “The mission for Learning for Life is to serve others by helping instill core values in young people and in other ways prepare them to make ethical choices throughout their lives so they can achieve their full potential.”

Members of the Owatonna Police Department Explorer Post #204 participate in training meetings, which expose them to a wide variety of situations that law enforcement officers experience, and in community events where their assistance is valuable to the police department, all while giving them insight into the many varied duties of the department. Several previous Explorer members are now sworn officers, and several more are currently majoring in college law enforcement programs.

Sgt. Eric Rethemeier Sgt. Deanne von Wald

Officer Brandon Fandel Officer Stephanie Fogel Officer Josh Sorenson Community Service Officer Joel Hunt

Aamot, Chris Berg, Christian Boomgarden, Destry Buck, Brandon Bunker, Brad Campion, Becky Jarivs, Amanda Sanford, Alicia

White Collar Crime Arrest & Search Crime Prevention Crime Scene Processing Domestic Assault Burglary Response Traffic Accident Investigations Bomb Scene Response Traffic Stops Hostage Negotiations Breezy Point Explorer Conference

The City of Owatonna Landlord Association (C.O.L.A.) was established in June of 2005 in an effort to network both small and large property rental owners in developing a relationship with local law enforcement. The association was formed between a partnership of the Parents Education Awareness Community Effort (P.E.A.C.E.) Task Force and the Owatonna Police Department in an attempt to educate rental property owners and managers on their legal rights and responsibilities.

Those who choose to become a member of C.O.L.A. benefit from services and resources which address aspects of property management that are important to the control and prevention of criminal activity on leased property. At monthly meetings, members have the opportunity to participate in an exchange of information and experiences with fellow property owners and local law enforcement. Current topics of interest to landlords are addressed at the meetings as well as through newsletters which further inform them on the rights and responsibilities under the Minnesota Landlord/Tenant Act and the Federal/State Fair Housing Laws. Those who are in attendance at meetings have the chance to have their questions answered by experts in the rental housing field, will understand how to deal effectively with code enforcement, and will learn procedures for tenant selection and eviction.

Owatonna Police report that a partnership between their department and local landlords has led to a number of drug busts in the city. Working with members of the C.O.L.A., the police have raided four apartments since September and charged residents with the possession and/or sale of illegal drugs.

Parents Education & Awareness Community Effort (P.E.A.C.E.) is a task force dedicated to stifling the growing gang problem in Steele County. Founded in the spring of 2001, P.E.A.C.E. combines the concerns of citizens, schools, and businesses with efforts and expertise of local law enforcement. This partnership heightens community awareness of area gang activities, leading to more “street smart” citizens who can strengthen law enforcement efforts by identifying and reporting suspicious behavior.

Fear of crime is a growing problem. Nonetheless, the P.E.A.C.E. task force believes that fear has no place in a community. By taking a tough and proactive stand on gang activity, P.E.A.C.E. intends to reverse its negative effects on the community and prevent crime before it’s committed.

Some groups simply discuss current problems, P.E.A.C.E. takes action. The following are activities inspired by P.E.A.C.E. to affect a positive change:

- Organizes and sponsors town meetings with topics ranging from gang awareness to natural disaster readiness. - Supports the passing of local crime prevention ordinances including loitering controls, nuisance ordinance, multi-crime free housing and disorderly use ordinance. - Works with local law enforcement and community service groups to support county wide graffiti cleanup days during the spring and fall. - Actively promotes and supports law enforcement programs and activities.

- Supervisory Training - Incident Command Training - Team Policing/Geographic Accountability - Field Training Officer (FTO) Instructor Development - Defensive Tactics Instructor Development - Cultural Diversity - Legal Updates - Performance Evaluation (Preparation/Presentation) - Addition of SWAT Personnel - K-9 Officer/Unit - Crime Technicians - Gang Strike Force Liaison - Hotel/Motel Drug Interdiction Liaison - Internship Program: Investigators Minneapolis PD

- Black-and-White Squad Car Conversion/Change Over - Continuation - New Radar Units Installed in All Squads - Investigator cars replaced - Addition of Sergeants Squad (Sport Utility Vehicle) - Additional Tasers implemented - Replacement of all shotguns - Speed Trailer - Surveillance Cameras (Parks/City Property)

- City of Owatonna Landlord Association (C.O.L.A.) - Hotel/Motel Interdiction Liaison Program - National Night Out (Goal of 50 Block Parties) - Enhanced initiatives to improve Explorer Program - Team Policing/Geographic Policing Program - Predatory Offender Registration (POR) Verification

- New Patrol Work Schedule - Initial discussions begin for LEC space needs analysis - Strategic Plan - Enhanced Web-site Development Continuation (Crime Mapping) - Ordinances – Quality of Life Initiatives - Specialized Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP)