Belle Fourche’s Haffner Named Code Officer of the Year

Offi  cer Clint Haffner of the Belle Fourche Police Department  was named Code Enforcement Offi  cer of the Year last month  by the South Dakota Association of Code Enforcement  (SoDACE).

The award is given each year to a member of the association  for their years of service as well as outstanding contributions  to their municipality as a Code Enforcement Officer,  contributions to their community as a citizen, and personal  accomplishments.

“[Haffner] has been a key element to the success of the City  of Belle Fourche,” said SoDACE President Brad Bies of  Yankton. “He spends countless hours educating the public  on the importance of the city’s codes and ordinances and  works with citizens to help improve their yards and property.”

Haffner, who serves as the Code Enforcement and Animal  Control Offi  cer for the city, was recognized for his outstanding  work in both roles.

Offi  cer Clint Haffner (second from left) of the Belle Fourche Police  Department was named Code Enforcement Offi  cer of the Year last week  by the South Dakota Association of Code Enforcement. He was joined  at the award presentation by (left to right) Belle Fourche Chief of Police  Ryan Cherveny, his signifi cant other Nikkie Hoyme, and Belle Fourche City  Councilman Bob Somervold.

As the Code Enforcement Offi  cer, he works diligently to clean  up the city’s overall curb appeal through weed and snow  removal education. He is even known to personally clean  up litter and trash throughout the city, removing abandoned  vehicles and ensuring the parks are clean and safe for  children.

In his Animal Control Offi  cer role, Haffner assists with animal  calls and animal bites. He works closely with the local animal  shelter to care for their animals. Additionally, Haffner and the  town’s vet started a reduced rabies clinic and free city tag  program that sees nearly 1,000 animals per year.

Haffner works with the Police Department team that recently  received the Spirit of Belle Fourche Award, which recognizes  those who have gone the extra mile to ensure customer  satisfaction.

Haffner is also a huge advocate and helper in his community.  He spends extra time mowing lawns, trimming trees and  bushes, and removing snow for the elderly. He also works  with several organizations on his own time, including one that  helps paint homes for those who are unable to do so, another  that provides bike helmets to children, and with a reading  program for elementary students.

“First graders and kindergarten students ask every year for  the 'animal guy' to come read books,” said Belle Fourche  Chief of Police Ryan Cherveny. “Clint brings his little pug and  reads adventure pug stories. It’s awesome to see!”

Four

The award was presented during the annual SoDACE  Information and Training Conference held at Drifters Event  Center in Fort Pierre on May 10. ■