Monday, November 28, 2011

Police Chief Chat

Drug watch: The Rolla Street Crimes Unit and officers from the evening shift arrested (2) individuals last night for possessing chemicals with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance. The suspects were observed making numerous trips in and out of pharmacies and were purchasing items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine then hiding the items throughout the vehicle. Also located during the search was methamphetamine paraphernalia. One of the suspects had active warrants from the State of Oklahoma for the same type of charges.

This past week the Rolla Police Department handled 769 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 28 arrests, 4 alarm calls, 20 accident reports, 29 traffic complaints, 28 check the well being requests, 151 traffic stops, 17 disturbance calls (including domestics), 15 suspicious nature complaints, 19 assists of other agency requests, 7 field interviews, 13 escorts, 4 leave without pay complaints, 29 animal control calls, 3 mental health calls, 2 littering complaints, 7 destruction of property reports, 1 juvenile complaint and 2 telephone harassment calls. This call total is up 123 calls from last week, yet another busy week!

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, share a good meal and give thanks for the many blessings we are afforded here in the United States and in good ole Rolla, Missouri. Myself and members of the Rolla Police Department also hope that any visiting family members or friends had a safe journey back home and arrived without mishap. Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday are paid holidays for City of Rolla employees and most will be able to enjoy a 4-day weekend. Here at the Rolla Police Department our Patrol and Communication Divisions are not as fortunate. For these officers and telecommunicators work goes on, 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week. Yes, they will get the paid holiday, but usually sometime down the road when the schedule allows. So keep these folks in mind while you are home with your families as they work and miss being with their families to keep you safe. We would like to thank the individuals, church groups, civic organizations and businesses who graciously stop by the Police Department and provide lunches, dinners, snacks and desserts to those employees working the holidays.

I am proud to announce that the City of Rolla has reposed special trust and confidence in the knowledge, courage, integrity, and professional excellence of Pto. Steven Gray. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the Rolla Police Department, he is therefore promoted from the rank of Patrol Officer to Senior Patrol Officer. Promotion and date of rank are effective November 13, 2011. Steve was born and raised in the State of Illinois before moving to Rolla in 2003. Steve received training and served as a paramedic with the St. James Ambulance, Houston Ambulance and Dixon Ambulance before accepting a position as a paramedic with the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla. Steve then became interested in law enforcement and attended the Missouri Sheriff’s Academy in Waynesville where he obtained his POST certification graduating in 2009. In October of 2009 Steve accepted a patrol officer position with the Rolla Police Department and has served us very well ever since. Congratulations Steve!

In closing, I would like to remind you that the holiday season is upon us and even though it is a time for joy and happiness it is also a time where we see an increase in home invasions, thefts from vehicles and credit card fraud. This time of year predators come out in force hoping to catch you leaving your homes and cars unsecured, purses and wallets unattended and not using caution when using credit or debit cards. During the holidays many families leave home to visit family and friends and leave their homes unattended. If you plan to leave for the holidays, remember to secure all doors and windows, stop newspaper and mail delivery and use timers on lights and other electronics to ward off burglars. If you have an alarm system, be sure to arm it as you leave. Contact a trusted neighbor or family member to watch your residence while you are gone. Contact the Rolla Police Department and set up a vacation security check which will allow us to check your residence periodically while you are away.

Also remember to lock your vehicles, especially while shopping. Do not leave tempting items in plain view inside your vehicles. If you must leave items inside, cover them or place them in the trunk. Try to park your vehicle in lighted areas and if shopping at night, try to shop with a buddy. Remember there is safety in numbers.

And finally, if you are a victim of a crime, be sure to report it to us as soon as possible. If we do not know that it occurred, we cannot help.

Have a great holiday!

Lieutenant Rick Williams

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