Good morning. I hope you had a great week and were able to get to the Rolla Crafts Festival. The weather was perfect and from I could gather the crowd was bigger than anticipated. This week we have a very busy Saturday as I mentioned in my last article, in that we have the bicycle and surplus property auction here at the Police Department that will begin at 9:00 am. Try to be here by 8:30 am to get registered as a buyer. There are over 75 bicycles and quite an assortment of surplus property that typically sell fairly quickly and fairly cheap, so don’t miss this opportunity to get a good deal.
Then on Saturday night, we will host our 8th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics. This event will be held at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge where we will provide food and an available cash bar to the players. The 2007 winning team “Ground Chuck” will be returning and will have the distinct pleasure of being seated at the cherished “Head Table” will trying to defend their championship. Our team roster is full this year, but please keep us in mind in October 2009 to enter a team. We have a great time and it is for a great cause.
Since the beginning of the school year, we have received ongoing complaints from both citizens and school personnel of a large gathering of young people near the Rolla High School. The complaints were that several people in the group were smoking and leaving trash and cigarette butts on the ground. The group was comprised of both students and non-students who gather before and after school to smoke and in order to comply with the no-smoking on school property policy, were gathering on the sidewalks at the edge of the parking lot. My staff and School Resource Officer Sgt. Wayne Rapier met with school administrators and discussed the problem. My staff and Patrol Division then began patrolling the area and issuing tickets to anyone in violation of state law or city ordinances. So far, several students and some non-students have been cited and a an even larger number have been issued warnings. This operation will continue until the problem is alleviated.
The Missouri Legislature made significant changes to the law dealing with felons in possession of firearms, and Missouri law now more closely follows federal law. It is now a class C felony for any convicted felon to possess any firearm, including a handgun, rifle or shotgun. Missouri has not historically been so restrictive. The state’s prohibition had been limited to concealable weapons (such as handguns) and applied to only “dangerous” felons. A dangerous felon was an individual who plead guilty to , or was convicted of, only certain felonies. For this reason, most convicted felons could use a rifle or shotgun for hunting if they completed their probation or parole. Under Missouri law, a “conviction” includes a suspended execution of sentence (SES), but does not include a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS). Thus, if someone who pleads guilty and receives an SIS is not deemed a convicted felony for purposes of this law. Because the prohibition now includes rifles and shotguns, many felons who could lawfully hunt under Missouri law, may no longer do so. (Bows are not “firearms” and felons may continue to bow hunt.) As was the case before the 2008 change, a felon cannot obtain a concealable weapons permit under Missouri law. This includes felons receiving an SIS.
Next Friday, October 31, 2008 is Halloween and since the date falls on a Friday night, parents and children need to exercise caution when trick or treating. The significance of celebrating on Friday night will mean that since it is the beginning of the weekend, there may be more children on the streets that if it were a school night. In addition, there are sure to be Halloween parties that night and increased traffic to and from the parties. This combination of more children on the streets and increased traffic could lead to more accidents or injuries. Please remember the basic rules for children participating in Halloween.
Remember:
Parents should accompany their children and visit only homes of people you know.
Homes that are well lit should be chosen over those that are not.
Children should refrain from eating anything until inspected.
Costumes should be light in color and reflective tape should be used on them.
Costumes should have eye openings for good visibility and be properly fitted to prevent tripping.
Children should carry a flashlight and cross at marked intersections only.
And to the adults who plan to attend Halloween parties. Please remember that there will be parents and children along your route trick or treating. Pay close attention in neighborhoods especially at intersections and crosswalks. Do not drink and drive and if you do drink, use the buddy system, call a cab or have a sober friend drive you, but do not drink and drive.
In closing, last Saturday, Patrolman Jose Rodriquez was injured while riding an ATV and was air-lifted to St. Louis for treatment. I am happy to announce that although he will be on light duty for a while, Jose will fully recover and be returned to full duty.
Then on Saturday night, we will host our 8th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics. This event will be held at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge where we will provide food and an available cash bar to the players. The 2007 winning team “Ground Chuck” will be returning and will have the distinct pleasure of being seated at the cherished “Head Table” will trying to defend their championship. Our team roster is full this year, but please keep us in mind in October 2009 to enter a team. We have a great time and it is for a great cause.
Since the beginning of the school year, we have received ongoing complaints from both citizens and school personnel of a large gathering of young people near the Rolla High School. The complaints were that several people in the group were smoking and leaving trash and cigarette butts on the ground. The group was comprised of both students and non-students who gather before and after school to smoke and in order to comply with the no-smoking on school property policy, were gathering on the sidewalks at the edge of the parking lot. My staff and School Resource Officer Sgt. Wayne Rapier met with school administrators and discussed the problem. My staff and Patrol Division then began patrolling the area and issuing tickets to anyone in violation of state law or city ordinances. So far, several students and some non-students have been cited and a an even larger number have been issued warnings. This operation will continue until the problem is alleviated.
The Missouri Legislature made significant changes to the law dealing with felons in possession of firearms, and Missouri law now more closely follows federal law. It is now a class C felony for any convicted felon to possess any firearm, including a handgun, rifle or shotgun. Missouri has not historically been so restrictive. The state’s prohibition had been limited to concealable weapons (such as handguns) and applied to only “dangerous” felons. A dangerous felon was an individual who plead guilty to , or was convicted of, only certain felonies. For this reason, most convicted felons could use a rifle or shotgun for hunting if they completed their probation or parole. Under Missouri law, a “conviction” includes a suspended execution of sentence (SES), but does not include a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS). Thus, if someone who pleads guilty and receives an SIS is not deemed a convicted felony for purposes of this law. Because the prohibition now includes rifles and shotguns, many felons who could lawfully hunt under Missouri law, may no longer do so. (Bows are not “firearms” and felons may continue to bow hunt.) As was the case before the 2008 change, a felon cannot obtain a concealable weapons permit under Missouri law. This includes felons receiving an SIS.
Next Friday, October 31, 2008 is Halloween and since the date falls on a Friday night, parents and children need to exercise caution when trick or treating. The significance of celebrating on Friday night will mean that since it is the beginning of the weekend, there may be more children on the streets that if it were a school night. In addition, there are sure to be Halloween parties that night and increased traffic to and from the parties. This combination of more children on the streets and increased traffic could lead to more accidents or injuries. Please remember the basic rules for children participating in Halloween.
Remember:
Parents should accompany their children and visit only homes of people you know.
Homes that are well lit should be chosen over those that are not.
Children should refrain from eating anything until inspected.
Costumes should be light in color and reflective tape should be used on them.
Costumes should have eye openings for good visibility and be properly fitted to prevent tripping.
Children should carry a flashlight and cross at marked intersections only.
And to the adults who plan to attend Halloween parties. Please remember that there will be parents and children along your route trick or treating. Pay close attention in neighborhoods especially at intersections and crosswalks. Do not drink and drive and if you do drink, use the buddy system, call a cab or have a sober friend drive you, but do not drink and drive.
In closing, last Saturday, Patrolman Jose Rodriquez was injured while riding an ATV and was air-lifted to St. Louis for treatment. I am happy to announce that although he will be on light duty for a while, Jose will fully recover and be returned to full duty.
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