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