Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Police Chief Chat - Tip A Cop / Burglary

Good morning! I hope you had a great week and were able to enjoy the unseasonably cool weather the past few days. My staff and I have been busy with budget adjustments in preparation for the final budget hearings this week. The Rolla Police Department will be involved in several fund raising/community related events in the next few weeks and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate and help us with our efforts.

On Sunday, September 14, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the Rolla Police Department and Behind the Badge would like to invite you to our 2nd “Tip a Cop” fundraiser that will be held at Pizza Inn in Rolla. Our officers and their families will be serving drinks, taking food orders, doing dishes and whatever we need to do to make your dining experience a pleasure. We will be working for tips to be donated to the Behind the Badge organization that works to assist several non-profit projects in the community. Pizza Inn will also be donating 20% of the nights proceeds to the cause. Last year this event raised nearly $750.00, so bring your family to Pizza Inn and let us show you we are really “Proud to Serve”. Thanks to Pizza Inn, Bob and Jo Campbell and their wonderful customers for this opportunity.

The “Behind the Badge” organization has also joined forces with the Rolla Public Schools and will participate in the “Back Pack” Program, where less fortunate families in need are provided nutritional food items to be used over the weekend. The students will pick up the food items on Fridays and transport the items home in their back packs. The “Behind the Badge” volunteers will be accepting donated food items at the Pizza Inn “Tip a Cop” fundraiser on September 14, 2008. Kudo’s to the Rolla Public Schools for developing this program. If you would like to donate food items to the program please contact: Faith Barnes at (573) 368-8001 for further information.

On Friday, September 19, 2008 from 4 – 8 p.m., members of the Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department will be participating in the 2nd Annual “Gas Up for a Good Cause” campaign being held at Love’s Truck Stop at the intersection of I-44 and Hwy V. In that campaign police officers and Sheriff’s deputies will be filling your tank and cleaning your windshield for a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year’s campaign was very successful in that we were able to raise $1,000.00. The Children’s Miracle Network is the alliance of premier children's hospitals. Every year, Children's Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for every disease and injury imaginable.

Then on Friday, October 17, 2008 the Rolla Police Department and Special Olympics – Missouri will host the 7th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Trivia Night” at the Rolla Elk’s Lodge. This event has been declared the best trivia night in the area and will offer space for 33 teams. The teams may consist of up to 10 players who will answer 10 trivia questions in 10 different categories. The winning team will secure free berth to next years event and be awarded the traveling trophy emblazed with the team name for the year. In addition, food is provided and a cash bar will be available. This is a night of fun and all proceeds will benefit our special Olympic athletes. The cost to enter a team is a $100.00 donation to Special Olympics. To register a team contact: S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 573-364-0012. Please try to register early as we will only have room for 33 teams.

In other news, on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at approximately 4:00 am, Cpl. Derrick Dillon was investigating a noise complaint in the area of Cedar Street near Hwy 72, when he observed what he believed to be a residential burglary in progress. At the same time central dispatch advised Cpl. Dillon via radio that they had received a prowler complaint in the same vicinity. Cpl. Dillon called for back-up, parked a short distance away, and exited his vehicle. Patrol officer Jamie Solis responded to the area and arrived shortly thereafter joining Cpl. Dillon. As the officers approached the scene, a resident (Scott Melton), alerted them to a suspect crouched and hiding behind a bush between two houses. Cpl. Dillon and Pto. Solis apprehended the suspect, and detained him pending further investigation. Sgt. Ken Moberly and Pto. Greg Long also arrived on the scene to assist and were advised by Mr. Melton of 2 other suspects hiding in the bed of a pick-up truck parked nearby. Sgt. Moberly apprehended the 2 additional suspects and detained them as well. Investigation revealed that all 3 male suspects were in the act of committing a residential burglary when Cpl. Dillon made his discovery. All three suspects were placed under arrest and incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants for 2nd Degree Burglary. Numerous items were recovered near the scene, and the owner of the burglarized home, who had been away at the time, was notified of the incident. Great job guys. Special thanks to Scott Melton for his assistance in this incident.

I hope you have a great week.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well lets see, the Rolla Police Department is blind. The other day i watched Rolla K-9 Officer do a field interview at country mart. All the while There was 7 cars parked illegally. I witness them to be parked in the no parking fire lane, and in the handicapped spots. But yet at Wal-mart they will tell you to move it along, or give you a warning. They both are private property. Then one night I was returning some videos to Family video, and an officer in one of the P-71's came hauling around pine street and power slid the intersection. Now what i believe is that is unsafe, as he missed my car by approx 2 feet. I have a scanner mounted in my car, and there was no call for 5 minutes before and almost 10 minute after.I enjoy living in Rolla, but I think the police need a slap on the hand, and to open their eyes just a bit more. Now I do know and understand that they are busy, but i believe they can do just a better job!