City to sponsor numerous community events & festivals

One of the pillars of any healthy, pro-active communities is the ability for community agencies, governmental bodies, organizations, businesses, universities, colleges, and individuals to work collaboratively for the good of the community. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about the many activities and events that are planned in the Rolla area the next two weekends. I hope you be able to attend and participate in as many of these events as possible.

Let’s begin first with what’s happening on Friday, Oct. 1. The third annual Operation Neighborhood Cleanup will take place in the neighborhood homes south of 7th Street to Hwy. 72 and from Holloway Street to Elm Street. The clean-up will take place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon. The entire community is invited to participate in this beautification effort, which is once again being coordinated by the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance and the Rolla Police Department. The clean-up effort will involve tree trimming, hedge trimming, and the removal of brush piles, household items and trash. All volunteers are asked to attend the welcome gathering on at 6:30 a.m. at the Christian Life Center located at the corner of Olive and 1st Streets. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. The 5-hour clean-up will conclude at 12-noon. Groups or individuals interested in volunteering for Operation Neighborhood Clean-up should contact SSgt. Rick Williams at the Rolla Police Department at 308-1213 or at rickwilliams@rollacity.org.

On Saturday, Oct. 2 the City of Rolla Environmental Services Department will hold the annual City-wide Fall Clean-up. If you wish to participate, please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m. Examples of items that will be accepted are furniture, microwaves, televisions, old clothes, and normal household trash. Items that will not be accepted are appliances, water heaters, yard waste, tires, or construction debris such as sheet rock, shingles, concrete or rock. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled. We ask that you do not place rollout trash containers at the curb because during this special fall clean-up they will not be emptied. For more information, please call 364-6693.

Also scheduled for next Saturday, Oct. 2 is the ever popular 32nd annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. The Rolla Downtown Business Association (RDBA) will host the festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Pine Street in downtown Rolla. The event coincides each year with Missouri S&T homecoming festivities, and includes one-of-a-kind crafts, food, live entertainment and informational booths. For more information, please contact Robin Rogers at 573-341-5488 or Jodi Layman at 573-426-5148.

In closing I’d like to also encourage everyone to attend the Celebrations of Nations event, which will be held two weeks from today on Saturday, Oct. 9. Area residents and university students will have an opportunity to gather together to celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Rolla unique to the Missouri Ozarks. The event was created to promote awareness, understanding and the celebration of the ways cultural diversity enriches Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the world. A Parade of Nations will kick off the event at 11 a.m. when the parade begins at the Missouri S&T Havener Center, (located on the Missouri S&T campus), travel through the downtown area, and end at the downtown bandshell (located in the City’s Downtown Festival Park on the corner of 9th and Oak Streets).

Colorful flags representing 82 countries of origin of the residents of this region will be carried in the parade. Community groups, marching bands and area school children are invited to participate. Following the parade, there will be festivities featuring international arts, crafts and food. There will also be an International Idol talent competition, which will be held at the downtown bandshell. For more information about the Celebration of Nations please contact Stephane Menand at menands@mst.edu. Sponsors of the event include the City of Rolla; Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center; Missouri S&T’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders; and Missouri S&T’s economics department, international affairs’ office, leadership and cultural programs, provost’s office and student life department. 

Police Chief Chat

The Rolla Police Department handled 874 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 42 arrests, 26 accidents, 67 traffic complaints, 175 traffic stops, 44 follow up investigations, 13 suspicious nature calls, 12 loud noise complaints, 27 assists of other agencies, 6 fingerprint requests, 3 benevolent fund requests, 4 soliciting, 5 trespassing, 13 escorts, 4 narcotics complaints and 19 public relations contacts. This call total is up 91 calls from last week. Yet, another busy week!

Next Friday, October 1st, the Rolla Police Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance will be conducting our 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-Up. Operation Clean-up began in 2008 when the Rolla Police Department teamed with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance to provide clean-up and beautification services to the residents in parts of the city where the property owners were unable to perform these duties themselves. The operation was designed to enhance the neighborhood’s sense of community and increase property values. The clean-up effort will involve tree trimming, hedge trimming and the removal of brush piles, household items and trash. Also supporting the operation will be Rolla Sanitation, Rolla Municipal Utilities, Rolla Parks and Recreation, Rolla Street Department, Fidelity Communications, CenturyLink and Rolla Fire and Rescue. In addition we also rely on hundreds of volunteers from area churches, businesses and the community to complete the operation. This year’s target area will be the area south of 7th to Hwy 72 and then in between Elm and Rolla Gardens. We will begin the operation at 6:00 a.m. at the Christian Life Center located at 305 E. 1st St. If you would like to help contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

This past week four of our communications personnel had the opportunity to attend the Missouri APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) Conference in Jefferson City. This annual conference focuses on offering training for dispatchers, supervisors and technical support personnel as well as offering many positive networking opportunities. Some of the training topics they attended were Fire Dispatch, MULES updates, Amber Alerts, Victim Automatic Notification System, Media Relations, Radio Narrowband Mandate, Suicide in law enforcement and Communication Standards. Attending the conference this year was Telecommunicator Matt Goss, Communications Supervisors Stacey Smith, Communications Supervisor Scott Olds and Communications Chief Paula Volkmer.

Also this past week we were saddened to hear about the passing of Ann Freeman who passed on Sunday, September 19th. Among many other talents, Ann was a school crossing guard stationed many years at the intersection of Soest Road and Salem Avenue. Many of you will remember her for her for the joyfully dramatic way in which she greeted everyone as she lovingly performed her duties. In spite of rain, cold, heat and heavy traffic, Ann always had a smile on her face and would greet passing motorists with her matronly bow. We have lost a good friend and a major contribution to the “Good Life” here in Rolla.

On Thursday, a citizen came to my office to tell me that Rolla Police Sgt. Jeremy Martens is not only a great officer but also a great person. The citizen said that he had been involved in a minor traffic accident this morning, and that Sgt. Martens was dispatched to the scene. Sgt. Martens worked the accident and then changed his tire on the citizen’s vehicle as it had been damaged in the collision. Sgt. Martens then followed him and noticed that his car was not driving properly, so he called a tow truck and got him to a garage to have it worked on. Sgt Martens then told him if he did not have a ride to get home to call him and he would give him a ride home. Outstanding job Sgt Martens. We can’t do this all the time because of our work load, but it’s nice when we can. The citizen also says that he appreciates our Police Department and even the Chief! I liked that!

Don’t forget our upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics, to be held Saturday, October 16, 2010. Teams of up to 10 members will answer 10 questions on 10 different topics. The team with the most correct answers will be declared “Champion” and will be honored with the coveted “traveling trophy” and will be awarded free berth to our 2011 Trivia night. Cost per team is $100 donation to Special Olympics. Our special guest emcee is Honorable Judge John Wiggins. Dinner will be provided and a cash bar is available. Teams slots are filling rapidly so contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams to enter a team. It is a night of fun and suspense and all proceeds benefit our Special Olympic athletes.

In closing, we would like to thank those of you that ventured out to Love's Truck Stop last Friday night to "Gas up for a Good Cause". Rolla Police Officers and Phelps County Sheriff's Deputies pumped gas and cleaned windshields and were able to raise over $800.00 for the Children's Miracle Network. This was our 4th year for the event and our biggest so far. Special thanks to Phelps County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe and his crew for their assistance in this event.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Commemorative Air Force lands at Rolla National Air Port

Just days after the Rolla City Council approved the new Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan designed by TranSystems for Rolla National Airport a fleet of vintage World War II aircraft operated by members of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) landed at RNA.

The fleet of six aircraft, originally World War II American made Naval trainers (T-3s and T-6s), was led by flight leader Mark Allen, who along with six other pilots and crew members had landed at Rolla National Airport last Friday, Sept. 10. Rolla National Airport, which is owned and operated by the City of Rolla, is located 13 miles north of Rolla off Hwy. 63. The pilots, whose aircraft are painted to resemble WWII Japanese aircraft and the infamous Zeros, were scheduled to perform at an air show at Scott Air Force Base (located 20 miles from St. Louis) on Saturday, Sept. 11. Due to bad weather conditions, the pilots decided to refuel their aircraft at RNA, and spend the night in Rolla mid-way on the journey between Springfield and Scott Air Force Base. They departed RNA Saturday morning as the skies cleared just in time to make it for the air show.

According to the official Website of the Commemorative Air Force (www.commemorativeairforce.org), formerly known as the Confederate Air Force, the CAF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose purpose relates to the preservation, demonstration, and display of military aircraft through the ages. CAF is a Texas-based organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at air shows primarily throughout the U.S. and Canada. CAF consists of over 11,000 members comprising more than 70 regional groups, called wings or detachments, in 27 states and four other countries. Several hundred members actively serve as pilots and flight and/or maintenance crew members committed to preserving combat aviation heritage.

I think I speak for Wes Faulkner, Airport Manager at Rolla National Airport, and his staff, when I say what an honor and a delight it was to personally witness the members of the CAF land at Rolla National Airport last weekend on their way to Scott Air Force Base. I think their brief visit is indicative of the variety of aircraft that stop at RNA to either refuel or make adjustments to their flight schedules, and how significant it is that Rolla has its own airport with two 5,550-foot runways, numerous T-hangers, a pilot’s lounge, and a fueling station.

In closing, I’d like to welcome everyone to attend our next City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 20 where the second reading of the City’s $24 million proposed 2010-2011 budget will be considered by members of the City Council.

The Healthy Baby Extravaganza will also be held on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Greentree Christian Church and City of Rolla Fire and Rescue located on 10th Street. And don’t forget to recycle your old computers, appliances and tires at the Electronics, Appliance and Tire Collection on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 8 a.m. to 12-noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. Parking Lot located at 2401 Brewer Drive (located in Hypoint Industrial Park at I-44, Exit 189/Hwy. V). The following items may be dropped off free of charge: stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves and other appliances without refrigerant; computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs, cell phones and other electronics. Items must be unloaded by the individuals who are dropping them off. The following items will require a fee: passenger tires - $1.50 each; truck tires - $5 each and tractor tires - $10 each (no tires from businesses please); TVs - $10 businesses/$5 residents; computer monitors: $5 each; refrigerant appliances: $50 each (no material from businesses, please).

This event is being sponsored by the City of Rolla, Phelps County Commission, Brewer Science, Inc.; Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). For more information, please contact MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the cool fall weather.

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 783 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 21 accidents, 57 traffic complaints, 108 traffic stops, 12 suspicious nature calls, 7 escorts, 9 loud noise complaints, 17 alarms, 3 harassment, 7 assaults, 4 fight calls, 2 missing persons, 2 benevolent fund requests, 30 security checks, 3 gas drive offs, 9 loud noise complaints. This call total is up 60 calls from last week’s call total. Yet another busy week!

This past week, Cpl. Tim Mayfield, Spo. Tony Lauth and Spo. Chrissy Smith attended the 25th Crash Reconstruction School offered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The course is 80 hours of instruction through lectures, projects, and in-depth analysis of actual collisions. Many trained police officers have difficulty getting their crash investigation findings admitted into court. This course is designed to help overcome this difficulty by enabling a well-trained police officer to qualify as an expert and give expert testimony in a court of law relative to the causation factors in motor vehicle traffic crashes. A student who successfully completes this course will be able to give expert testimony in the following areas: Speed of vehicles at impact using conservation of linear momentum, behavior of vehicles in a collision using Newton’s three laws of motion, the effect of weight shift in braking involving large trucks and buses, including truck-tractor/semi-trailer combinations, the effect of anti-skid braking systems in stopping distances and braking action and the determination of direction of travel, initial contact, and position of vehicles on the roadway through the interpretation of vehicle damage and the analysis of at scene marks and evidence.

On Wednesday, September 15th 2010 at approximately 9:40 p.m., the Rolla Police Department received a report of a shooting. It was determined that a 24 year old male had been taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center with a single gunshot wound to the leg. It was later determined that the shooting had occurred in the 1000 block of S. U.S. Highway 63 in Rolla. Uniformed Officers and Detectives from the Rolla Police Department's Division of Criminal Investigations began investigating the case. A short time later the suspect was identified and was located in the 100 block of Little Oaks Road in Rolla. Arrested was Shaun Allen age 31 of Rolla, Missouri. Allen was later incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail pending warrant application on the charges of Assault 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The victim of the shooting was treated and later released from the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The handgun used in the shooting was recovered. The victim and suspect were acquaintances and the shooting was believed to have been as a result of an ongoing dispute. Agencies assisting in the investigation included the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. The charges for which Shaun Allen was arrested for are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. If you have additional information pertaining to this case please call the Rolla Police Department at (573) 308-1213 or the Rolla Police Department’s confidential tip hotline at (573) 364-0111. Great job to MSHP, PCSD and the Rolla Police Department!

We are still looking for volunteers for our 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2010. Operation Neighborhood Clean-up is a joint venture between the Rolla Police Department and the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance which incorporates community volunteers, government and local business to conduct a clean-up/ beautification operation to help those in the community that cannot help themselves. If you would like to participate, please contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.

On a light side, I received a letter this week from a citizen who had found some humor in something listed in this column. She stated, “Would you please explain what in the world a ‘Suspicious Nature Call’ is?….My first thought when I saw it, after I stopped laughing was, it was worded improperly…. The way something is worded can certainly change the meaning.” Well, I suppose there are a variety of ways that phrase could be taken. Let’s rule out all possibilities of reports of strange people taking bathroom breaks on the side of the road (Nature CALLS). And I can also guarantee these aren’t conservation calls relating to the unusual migratory patterns of birds (NATURE calls). In law enforcement, a “suspicious nature call” is simply a call of suspicious nature that doesn’t quite fit in any other category. For instance, it could be a report of an occupied car parked in an unusual location, or a suspicious looking person seen on school property, or an unidentified package left on a porch….anything that strikes someone as being unusual, and they believe it should be checked into. If anyone has any other questions, I’m always open to opportunities to clarify things for the public. Hope this helped!

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Commemorative Air Force lands at Rolla National Airport

Pilots and crew members with the Commemorative Air Force landed at Rolla National Airport to refuel their fleet of six vintage WWII Naval trainers (T-3s and T-6s) on Sept. 10. The aircraft are painted to resemble WWII Japanese aircraft known as Zeros. The CAF is a Texas-based all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at air shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 723 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 18 accidents, 61 traffic complaints, 143 traffic stops, 3 juvenile complaints, 19 suspicious nature calls, 2 benevolent funds, 2 recovered property reports, 29 disturbance calls to include domestics, 11 assists of other agencies, 5 fingerprint requests, 14 stealing reports and 19 check well being requests. This call total is down 54 calls from last week. Another busy week!

On Wednesday of this week, the Rolla Police Department held our first of 12 sessions of our Citizen’s Police Academy. The Citizens Police Academy is a program of instruction by police officers for interested citizens as part of the Department’s community policing philosophy. The goals are to increase awareness of the functions of the Police Department and to increase police/community rapport by sharing concerns through an educative process. Classes meet for four hours, once a week for twelve weeks. All sessions are held in the evening at the Rolla Police Department, with the exception of one Saturday session which is held at the firing range. Participants are invited to ride along with a police officer to see first-hand what happens on the street. Citizens will learn of Internal Affairs and Polygraph Operation, Complaints and Reports, Criminal and Crime Scene Investigation, School Resource Officer program, Police Explorer Post program, DWI Detection, Narcotics Investigation, Emergency Operations and Community Policing, Animal Control, Defense Tactics, Officer Survival, SWAT Team Operations, Fire Arms Training, Central Communications, Traffic Accident Investigation, Traffic Stops, Radar Detection, Arrest and Booking Procedures and Volunteers in Police Services. This year’s academy has 12 citizens in attendance.

I received a letter on Friday from a long-time acquaintance who was the victim of a of a leaving the scene property destruction at his residence. Officer Leann Robertson responded to the call. The letter states as follows: Last night a young lady, an international student at MS&T, accidentally ran through my mailbox. Since it was one of those enclosed in brick and mortar it made quite a mess of both the mailbox and, I’m sure, the car which I have not seen. It developed the young lady had low blood sugar, left the scene and went home. Thankfully, she was un-injured. Officer Leann Robertson responded to take a report and quite obviously, checked up and down the street with some effort, located the girl, and brought her by to talk to me today. All was settled amicably and insurance will cover it. I think the young lady was prepared to come see me by herself so it was probably not a typical hit and run. None-the-less a lot of credit to your officer.

The letter continues: The reason I am writing this is as a thank you and high marks for Officer Leann. She went to the trouble of following up and unerringly did exactly the right thing in a highly professional manner. If she is representative of your officers we are very well protected. Sincerely, (author’s name withheld by me). Thank you to the author for the kind remarks and a great job to Lean!

This past Tuesday was a dedicated training day and several officers underwent 8 hours of Police Taser re-certification training offered by our in-house certified Taser instructors, Detective Hank Harper and Patrol Officer Jessie Hoyt. Officers were required to demonstrate their proficiency in the use of this tool and the non-discrimination in the use. The Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscularincapacitation"[1] and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) technology".[2] Someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves, resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. Tasers do not rely only on pain compliance, and are thus preferred by some law enforcement over non-Taser stun guns and other electronic control weapons.

The 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up is underway as over 480 waiver/consent forms have been distributed in our 2010 target area. Residents in this area are to complete the form by listing the type of clean-up assistance they require and then return the form to us. The next stage is where several volunteer assessment teams will return to the area and personally meet with the residents requesting assistance and will draw up work orders listing those tasks. The assistance provided will be in the way of tree trimming, lawn mowing, brush and discarded appliance removal, and other tasks that will be provided free of charge by the operation volunteers. Volunteers are comprised of police officers, church leaders, civic groups, student volunteers, construction and utility employees and neighbors. The date of the Operation Neighborhood Clean-up will be held Friday, October 1, 2010 from 6:30 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. If you would like to volunteer and assist us in this operation contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213!

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all motorists to join us in our 4th Annual “Gas up for a Good Cause” campaign where Rolla Police Officers and Phelps County Sheriff’s Deputies converge on the Love’s Truck Stop gas pumps to clean windshields and pump gas for you in an effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. This event will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010 from 4-8 p.m. at Love’s Truck Stop located at I-44 and Hwy V. If you need a fill-up or just topped off, stop by and let us do it for you. All tips or donations received will benefit CMN! Come on out and help us help the kids!

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

Labor Day Holiday kicks off fall festivities

September and the Labor Day weekend have finally arrived in typical Missouri fashion after what seemed like one of the hottest and longest summers on record. Yet despite the seemingly endless 90-degree hot spells much was accomplished this summer throughout the City, including the paving of 10th Street from Pine Street to Forum Drive, and the micro-paving of numerous streets throughout the community by the City’s Street Department, Rolla Asphalt and Donnelson Construction Company. I have received many positive comments from residents in the community regarding these projects, and I’d like to extend my appreciation again to the City’s Public Works Department, and especially Gene Stroup, Project Coordinator, who ensured that these projects were completed on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to motorists and residents.

The next big City project scheduled for this month is the construction of the Bryant Drive Extension, which will begin when the McDonalds restaurant located at Kingshighway and Bryant Drive is demolished and rebuilt in the coming weeks. The Bryant Drive Extension will provide a new intersection at Bryant Drive and Kingshighway in front of McDonalds and Pizza Inn that will serve as one of the gateways to Missouri S&T’s Innovation Park. Later this fall the Missouri Department of Transportation will also be relocating the traffic light currently at Kingshighway and Fairgrounds Road to the new intersection at Bryant Drive and Kingshighway. Better traffic flow, increased safety, and less traffic congestion on Kingshighway should be some of the noticeable benefits of this new intersection.

September is also a pivotal month for the City of Rolla in that citizens are encouraged to attend and provide input at the 2010-2011 annual budget public hearing scheduled for the first City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The second reading to approve the annual budget ordinance will be held at the City Council meeting  on Monday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Rolla City Hall. If approved by the City Council, the new budget year will begin with a 2% COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) for all full-time City employees; the funding (for ½ year) of a City Engineer position; hiring of two new police officers, and the replacement of a 1981 90-foot aerial ladder truck.

Due to the success of the City’s Employee Wellness Program, there will again be no increase in health insurance premiums for full-time City employees. At a time when 65% of the businesses throughout the country in private industry are raising health insurance premiums, it is noteworthy that the City has managed to refrain from any health insurance premium increases over the past three years. While sales tax revenues are showing positive signs of recovery, (sales tax receipts are up 1.7% since January 2010), a conservative 1% growth in sales tax revenue is also included in the City’s annual budget. As you drive around town and notice the construction and renovation of several new office buildings, restaurants, and multi-family apartments, it’s evident the economy is picking up steam and Rolla is positioned to attract even more new businesses, retail stores, restaurants and industry.

As we head into the fall season don’t forget to mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual Operation Neighborhood Clean-up on Friday, Oct. 1 (meet for breakfast and greeting at the Christian Life Center at 6:30 a.m.); the City-wide Fall Clean-up on Saturday, Oct. 1 (items to curb by 6 a.m./residential only); the 32nd Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Rolla (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the inaugural Celebration of Nations event on Saturday, Oct. 9 (parade starts at 11 a.m.in front of the Havener Center) and the Rolla Regional Business Conference hosted by the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Havener Center (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). For more information on any of the above mentioned events, please visit the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org or become a ‘Fan’ of the City’s Facebook page.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that the City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (901 North Elm Street). Rolla Municipal Traffic Court will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no special pickups on Wednesday. This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 6 from 12-noon to 5 p.m.

I hope you had a safe and memorable Labor Day weekend!

Police Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 797 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 25 arrests, 24 accidents, 65 traffic complaints, 158 traffic stops, 6 juvenile complaints, 15 suspicious nature calls, 3 benevolent funds, 3 recovered property reports, 36 disturbance calls to include domestics, 19 assists of other agencies, 3 fingerprint requests, 1 school crossing detail, 14 stealing calls and 19 check well being requests. This call total is up 60 calls from last week…. yes, another busy week!

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, the South Central Drug Task Force, Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department concluded a short term narcotics investigation in the 1700 block of Ashwood Drive in Rolla, Missouri. As a result of the investigation, officers seized approximately two pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of US currency. The following people were arrested and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail: Daniel Jones, age 33 of Rolla, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and Sarah Carroll age 42 of Richland, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. The charges for which Jones and Carroll were arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Great job!

On Tuesday night members of the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance, Volunteers in Police Services and the Rolla Police Department distributed over 450 Operation Neighborhood Clean-up waiver/consent forms to each home within our 2010 Neighborhood Clean-up area. As you may know, our annual clean-up operation is a program where the community teams with the Rolla Area Ministerial Alliance, city government and local business to conduct a clean-up/ beautification operation to help those in the community that cannot help themselves. Once an area is chosen, volunteers pass out waiver/consent forms to each address in the designated area. The forms need to be filled out by property owners who need assistance in this program. Assistance comes in the way of lawn mowing, tree trimming and removal, brush pile and appliance removal, trash and debris removal and many other tasks. Simply fill out the form and return it to the Rolla Police Department by Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Assessment teams will then gather the forms then contact you personally to complete a work order for the tasks you are requesting. Then on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 volunteer teams will ascend on the neighborhood and complete the tasks at no cost to the resident. This date was chosen in conjunction with the City wide clean-up scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010. This year’s designated Clean-up neighborhood is the area south of 7th Street to Hwy. 72 and from Holloway Street to Elm Street. The clean-up will take place from 7 a.m. to 12-noon. If you or your agency would like to volunteer in this year’s operation, contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213!

Well, with Labor Day upon us, sadly the summer season is winding down. This weekend families will be hitting the roads destined for picnics, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, visiting family and friends and many other destinations. Please remember to drive friendly and to be safe this weekend in order to return home with only good memories. The area roads and highways will be busy with everyone trying to reach their destinations in the best time. Be sure to plan your route, allow plenty of time in case of congestion or road construction and prepare your vehicle for a safe journey. Be sure brakes and tires are in good shape and remember your cell phone and charger. For many this is the last big hurrah for the summer and most will be taking advantage of the extended weekend. Be safe!

In closing, I would like to take a moment to mention several upcoming events hosted by the Rolla Police Department and various area charities. On Friday, September 17, 2010 at Love’s Truck Stop, Phelps County Sheriff’s Deputies and Rolla Police Officers will be pumping gas and cleaning windshield’s during the 4th annual Gas Up For a Good Cause campaign where all tips and donations benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year deputies and officers raised over $1,000.00 for the cause. So, mark your calendars and let us “fill er up for a reason” on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010. Then on Saturday, October 16, 2010 we will host our 10th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” to benefit Special Olympics. Our trivia night has been deemed the best trivia in the area in that in addition to a night of fun and great trivia, we also provide team members with dinner and a offer a cash bar. The event will be held at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge and will begin at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to enter a team, the cost is $100.00 for up to 10 members. Contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213 to reserve a table. We can accommodate up to 33 teams so be sure to reserve your spot.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse