Records/Pearl Street 911 Center

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS

The Community Service Officer supports the efforts of the Owatonna Police Department by providing services to the community while also supporting other divisions within the police department. There are currently three part-time Community Service Officers working for the police department. The Community Service Officers are knowledgeable and flexible in their assignments as they are asked to perform duties from every division within the Owatonna Police Department.

The Community Service Officer (CSO) is responsible for a variety of functions within the department which do not necessarily require the response of a sworn officer. CSOs patrol the city parks and schools. Working closely with the Owatonna Park and Recreation Department, they look for signs of vandalism to city parks and trails as well as assist with locking park buildings at park closing times. CSOs also respond to minor calls such as minor accidents, thefts and vandalism. In addition, they assist Parking Control and Animal Control when necessary. Ordinance violations, junk vehicle complaints, and house checks are also the responsibility of the CSO.

CSOs are tasked with administrative duties such as crime mapping, maintaining the warrant list on the department’s web page, and updating the organizational chart. The CSO responds to tow releases and warning tags at the Law Enforcement Center. Furthermore, CSOs transport evidence to the BCA crime lab, deliver paperwork to other government entities, and complete other deliveries as needed.

Squad Maintenance is assigned to the CSOs. The CSOs track monthly vehicle mileage for all police vehicles, track problems with squad cars and arrange for maintenance and repair with the city shop. They also assist with portable radio repair and maintain the LIDAR equipment.

The Community Service Officer also plays a vital role in the community by providing funeral escorts, assisting with Safety Camp each summer, parade assistance, security for community events, and providing the opportunity to view squad cars and other police equipment to various community organizations and events.

Besides providing critical support to the Owatonna Police Department on a daily basis, our CSO Program continues to turn out top-quality police officer candidates. This is a direct result of the high standards each CSO must meet in order to be hired, the ongoing training they receive, and the job responsibilities they are given. Like all department personnel, Community Service Officers display a positive image for the Owatonna Police Department while contributing to maintain a more efficient and professional organization.

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

ANIMAL CONTROL

Animal Control is a contracted position within the City of Owatonna that is supervised by the police department. Animal Control primarily responds to concerns about domestic animals within the City of Owatonna. Animal Control Officer Mike Bartsch, who responds to calls, coordinates Animal Control and helps resolve issues through negotiation or having the police department cite offenders, when necessary. ACO Bartsch also maintains and cares for animals at the animal control shelter. Wild animal control calls should be directed to Critter Busters Nuisance Wildlife Control by contacting Todd at 507456-1148 or Tami at 507-456-1771. Additionally you may contact Falls Creek Animal Control at 651235-0829 or 1-866-838-2868. When ACO Bartsch is not available the police department or community service officers respond to calls for service.

SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

RECORDS AND 911 DISPATCH

Records Division

The Records Department is staffed with five full time and one part time Steele County employees. The Owatonna Police Department contributes 50% of their salary. The Records department updates all names, locations, arrests, and property-loss reports as well as handles non-emergency calls, background checks, transcription, and other general requests from the public.

Pearl Street 911 Center

The 911 Center answers all requests for law enforcement assistance via 9-1-1 and the local police number. The center serves 9 law enforcement agencies, 10 fire and rescue departments, and 5 ambulances services within Rice and Steele County.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

AED PROGRAM

In 1999, the Owatonna Police Department implemented the AED Program. At the start of the program, funding was obtained from the Department of Public Safety and two AED’s were purchased with this grant. Later with help of several local charities (Eagles, Elks, Golden Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, and VFW) in 2005, there were a total of eight AEDs in Owatonna Police Department squad cars. In 2007 Owatonna Hospital donated two AED’s through the Owatonna Hospital’s Heart Safe Communities project. At the same time the Owatonna Women’s Club and Federated donated AEDs and the Owatonna Police Department purchased a unit. This brings the total number of AEDs to 13. Early in 2008 the Owatonna Hospital Heart Safe Communities heard we had one squad without an AED and purchased the AED for this squad. This bringing the Owatonna Police Department to a total of 14 AED’s in 2009.

The Owatonna Police Department entered into an agreement with Gold Cross Ambulance Service and Dr. Ralph Wertwijn, who agreed to be the local Medical Director for the use of AEDs by officers. Officer training is completed annually; consisting of four hours of lecture and hands on experience. Since the inception of the program, the AED has become an important link in the Chain of Survival in the Owatonna Community. 13 lives have been saved as a result of having AED placement in squad cars!

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

COLA

The City of Owatonna Landlord Association (COLA) was formed to network small and large landlords with the police department and other property managers. We are now in our fourth year as an organization. While membership decreased in 2009, this was due to some landlord’s selling there properties as well as deceased members. We currently have 91 members. In 2009, we have put together booklets providing information from applications to leases. This guide provides information on what to do for a person applying through the lease signing. We had Crime Free Housing training Feb. and March. Guest speakers for this program were Attorney Mark Carver, Investigator (Gang) Mark Edel, Captain Chuck Walerius, Steele County Deputy (Civil) Tony David, (Housing Authority) Nancy Bokelmann, and (Fire Department) Bruce Thomas. We had 42 landlords either become certified or renewed their certification. All of these included the major management companies and property owners in Owatonna. COLA also had a number of member meetings throughout the year. Among the speakers were Chief LaDue who spoke on what the police are doing and the issues in the City of Owatonna. The Drug and Gang task force gave provided updates on their issues. We provided computer training at Senior Place on our website and through Riverland College. In the fall of the year, we held a member picnic. Again, Chief LaDue spoke at this picnic and gave us updates and encouragement as landlords. In 2009, COLA had a booth at the Community Coordination team open house at which time we let people know about the program and what we had to offer to the community. Round table discussion on abandonment issues and marketing were some of the concerns addressed.

COLA had 100% police participation and support which continued to make the organization a success. Chief LaDue has spoken at numerous events. Sergeant Hassing is the department liaison with the landlords and attends all monthly COLA board meetings and well as many general membership meetings. Updates on police issues are provided in person and on the city website which has been set up specifically for landlord use. In 2009, the city officers again had landlords sign and update their property information to assist with trespassing issues which continue to be a problem in numerous housing units.

Disorderly Use Violations and the enforcement of the ordinance continued to be a focus in 2009 while addressing issues which were taking place in rental units throughout Owatonna. In 2009, there were a total of 319 Disorderly Use Violations and 155 Nuisance violations which were addressed and resolved. The communication and involvement between landlords in addressing these issues helped make the housing units safe for members of the community.

In 2009, COLA developed an additional website, separate from the City of Owatonna site but one which works in conjunctions with the police. Our goal in 2010 is for the merger of the two sites to better utilize

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

COLA

the information provided and make the system more user friendly. All the members are listed on COLA site with their properties. The joint websites have disorderly use, evictions, leases, rental agreements, and other pertinent information posted. COLA’s new website is owatonnacola.com. COLA members can also make their own web page for their own use, on this site. COLA members have free advertisement and free vacancy listings on this web page.

This has been the fourth year of existence for COLA and while we have met many sustainable objectives, we continue to look forward to many successful ventures and additions in 2010. While attempting to make this a model program in our area, we are looking at areas of further development including training, equipment and communication. Our goal in 2010 is to continue to add complexes and managers/owners to Phase II and III of the crime free multi housing program In 2010, our goal is to develop a more effective means of licensing properties , leading the way to possible tenant registration and working with the Fire Department to complete this project. Also identifying and addressing the data base by which updated information can be identified immediately. The merger of the city and COLA site for landlords is also a goal for 2010. As always, our goal is to increase membership and involvement in COLA and the many issues landlords and law enforcement face while working together to reduce crime. Our next meeting in 2010 will include the use of security cameras on properties and technology which can assist them in reducing crime. Also, Police Chief LaDue and Fire Chief Johnson will be addressing their areas of concern and involvement to the COLA members.