Friday, December 3, 2010

Police Chief Chat

            This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 551 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 23 arrests, 15 accidents, 26 traffic complaints, 47 traffic stops, 17 disturbance calls (including domestics), 13 suspicious nature calls, 29 assists of other agencies, 58 911 hang up calls, 8 check the well being requests, 37 animal control calls, 12 stealing calls, 4 telephone harassments, 5 trespassing calls, and 36 security checks. This call total is up 79 calls from last week. Yet another busy week!

 

            On Tuesday November 23rd, 2010 at 12:30 a.m, the Rolla Police Department received a report of a robbery that occurred at the Phillips 66 store located at 1906 N. Hwy 63.  The suspect who was wearing a black mask, a red hooded sweatshirt, dark colored jeans, dark colored gloves and white footwear entered the store at approximately 12:15 a.m. and instructed the attendant to open the cash register drawers. The suspect then removed an undisclosed amount of money from the cash registers. The suspect then had the attendant go into the cooler, then instructed her to wait before coming out. The suspect then fled the area on foot. Fortunately, the attendant was unharmed. The suspect was described as being a male approximately 6’02” to 6-04” and weighing 150 to170 lbs. The investigation into the robbery is on-going. If you have any information regarding to the identity of this suspect or have any information pertaining to this case, please contact the Rolla Police Department at (573) 308-1213 or the Rolla Police Department Confidential Hotline at (573) 364-0111.

            In a concentrated effort to combat drug abuse, gang activity and serious crime in the Rolla community, Mayor Bill Jenks has formed a Community Action Team (CAT) comprised of representatives of several entities within the community that are already working towards improving these situations. The team includes representatives from the Rolla Police Department, the Department of Social Services, Division of Probation and Parole, the Rolla Housing Authority, Rolla Public Schools, Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Jamie Myers of Prevention Consultants, David Duncan of Pathways CBH Inc. and members of the Rolla Ministerial Alliance. The Community Action Team will meet periodically to develop strategies,  review options and to develop resources to combat the criminal element responsible for this activity.

            Over the past few years our community has seen an increase in the migration of what we call 1 % ers from other communities moving into our subsidized housing areas and bringing with them, the type of criminal activity such as drug abuse, gang activity and other violent crimes that we seek to counter. The established enforcement arm will be what we will call the Street Crimes Unit consisting of Spo. Luke Kearse and Spo. Josh Campbell. These officers were selected based on their previous experience in the Narcotics Unit, Patrol Division, K-9 handling and drug interdiction. Officers Kearse and Campbell will attend Street Crime Training next week in Chicago Illinois before assuming their duties later this month.

            The Street Crime Unit will concentrate their enforcement efforts on areas of the community identified as target areas by the CAT team. Duties will include criminal investigation, area patrol and surveillance, intelligence gathering and dispersal and strict law enforcement. In addition to law enforcement related training, the Street Crime Unit will also receive ongoing training concerning urban housing issues, battered women facilities and Section 8 housing requirements and allowances.

            This Saturday, December 4, 2010, the Downtown Business Association and Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Christmas Parade scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. The parade route will be manned by our officers from the patrol division and also members of Volunteers in Police Services and our reserve unit. Officers will be on site to ensure safety of both the spectators and parade participants. We ask that parents be sure to keep children back away from the passing parade units to avoid a mishap. We also ask parade participants to keep to the center of the parade route and to be sure any items tossed from the parade route do not land in the roadway. We ask motorists to use caution when approaching or leaving the parade route and to be sure to watch for pedestrian traffic near the area. The parade route will start at 6th and Rolla Streets, travel east on 6th to Pine, then north on Pine to 12th St. The parade participants will then begin dispersing along Rolla Street.

            In closing, This past week I was invited to visit with the Rolla Noon Rotary Club at their weekly meeting at Zeno’s. I prepared a brief presentation on the history of the Rolla Police Department, an overview of changes made since becoming your Chief, and a preview of the direction I would like to see the Rolla Police Department
follow in the near future. The Rotary Club was very receptive and a gracious host. They are a fine group of men and women who have provided many opportunities to the Rolla Community.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse

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