Another busy week in that we handled 701 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 22 accidents, 36 hang up 911 calls, 28 disturbance calls (domestic or other), 35 traffic complaints, 55 traffic stops, 28 arrests, 11 suspicious nature calls, 27 stealing calls, 13 escorts, 3 runaway juveniles, and 8 public relation events. Total calls for this week are up by 2 calls over last week!
Memorial Day weekend is here! Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is the kick-off holiday for the summer. Families will be hitting the highways and traveling to visit relatives, state parks, theme parks, lakes, rivers, streams and many other attractions to enjoy the extended weekend. Before you travel, plan your route by allowing for increased traffic, road construction, higher temperatures and inattentive drivers. Be sure your vehicle is safe for travel and that your tires and brakes are in good shape. Prepare an emergency travel kit that includes items such as bottled water, a flashlight, emergency flares or reflective triangles, cell phone and charger, small hand tools and a first-aid kit. And most of all be sure to drive friendly, obey all traffic laws and if you plan to use alcohol, do not drink and drive.
Last week, Cpt. Jason Smith and reserve Pto. Paul Rueff traveled to Willow Springs to attend training offered by the Office of Homeland Security on the implementation of the new (P-25) radio system. The P-25 system will be implemented in the next couple years and is a radio system that will be utilized by all emergency responders that will allow interoperability between all agencies across Missouri. The system will have a distinct advantage over the present system in the event of a catastrophic incident involving multiple jurisdictions in that all responding agencies will be utilizing the same radio band and frequency!
On Tuesday of this week the Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the South Central Corrections Facility in Licking, Missouri took part in the 25th Annual running of the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics. Over 30 officers met at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Rolla where they received the ceremonial torch and a send off by Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks. Runners then hit the road by traveling north on Bishop Avenue, then west on Kingshighway to I-44 where they continued west all the way to the Phelps/Pulaski county line where the torch was then transferred and taken to Lebanon, Missouri. The following day the torch was then relayed to Springfield, Missouri for the opening of the Special Olympic Summer Games. We would like to thank all the participating agencies for their support and special thanks to our event sponsors: Rolla Fire and Rescue, Pepsi-Cola of Rolla, the Wal-Mart Supercenter and MoDot! We would also like to thank Mayor Bill Jenks, City of Rolla Communications Director Scott Grahl and his son Owen.
As you may have read in the Rolla Daily News, on Wednesday of this week, Central Dispatch received a call of a female reporting an assault by a known male. Senior Patrol Officer Tommy Davis responded to the call and spotted the male suspect in a vehicle fleeing from the scene. Spo. Davis overtook the suspect and attempted to stop him, but the male refused to stop and attempted to flee from Davis. The suspect traveled south of Rolla and attempted a high speed left turn, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree. The male suspect jumped from the vehicle and fled into a heavily wooded area. Officer Davis requested assistance and was joined by members of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and officers from the Rolla Police Department.
A manhunt ensued utilizing perimeter patrol, stationary observation, aircraft and K-9 units, and building and wooded area searches. This operation continued for approximately 3 hours without success. A resident of the area arrived home in the afternoon and discovered the residence burglarized and a vehicle stolen from the garage. The vehicle description was broadcast to all searching agencies due to the possibility of the subject of the manhunt being involved in the burglary. Late that afternoon the manhunt was concluded and arrest warrants were sought against the suspect for the crimes committed. Thank you to all the responding agencies for their quick response and assistance in this operation.
On Thursday night, the Rolla Police Department held the 1st of 3, Neighborhood Watch Zone meetings at the Community Hall. S/Sgt. Rick Williams addressed the attending citizens on the importance and successes of the Neighborhood Watch program and the intended implementation of this crime prevention program to all neighborhoods in the community. Most of the city is currently covered by a Neighborhood Watch program, but many of the areas need to be rejuvenated to keep the program successful. Rolla Fire and Rescue Training Officer Ron Smith was also on hand to present information on the plan to establish Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in each of the designated Neighborhood Watch Zones. CERT volunteers will be trained in basic first aid, fire suppression and disaster preparation in each of the zones to be utilized in the event of a catastrophic situation where professional first responders are unable to respond! Christy Woolsey of the American Red Cross provided information on the services and needs of that volunteer organization. And finally, Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) Coordinator Vince Giacolone and VIPS volunteer Katherine Mattison were present and discussed the services that program provides. The next Neighborhood Watch Zone meeting will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Rolla Centre at 1200 Holloway St. in Rolla. All citizens are encouraged to attend.
In closing, The Rolla Police Department and Rolla Fire and Rescue want to take this opportunity to encourage civic groups, service clubs, military organizations, business owners and just about everyone to come forward and enter a team in our 3rd Annual Fire Truck Pull to benefit the Veteran’s Memorial Park. This event will be held next Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 4:00 p.m, in conjunction with the Rt. 66 Summerfest! In this fun and worthwhile competition, teams of up to 10 members will attempt to pull a fully loaded Rolla Fire and Rescue fire truck. Trophies will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place finishers. We feel we owe it to our servicemen and women who proudly and unselfishly served in the US Armed Forces to do what we can to ensure that they are not only remembered when they are gone, but also to help them achieve their goal of providing a Veteran’s Memorial that can be enjoyed while they are still here. To date, we only have 2 or 3 teams entered for the event. To enter or sponsor a team contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213. To date, we only have 2 or 3 teams signed, and could use several more! Please help us help the veterans!
Have a great week and a fun and safe Memorial Day holiday!
Chief Mark Kearse
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