This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 742 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 29 accidents, 49 hang up 911 calls, 35 disturbance calls (domestic or other), 25 traffic complaints, 41 traffic stops, 17 arrests, 35 assist of other agencies, 4 benevolent fund requests, 2 abandon vehicle reports, 5 escorts, 68 security checks and 12 suspicious nature calls. This week’s total call volume is up 60 calls from last week!
Well at the end of May the Rolla Public Schools let out for the summer, or did they? Actually beginning June 1st and running through June 30th, school is back in session, at least for some students who are attending the summer school sessions held at Wyman Elementary. For those students and faculty it is business as usual. Students and faculty arrive each morning and leave at the end of the day creating traffic congestion in that part of town, which is somewhat busy anyway. Since the beginning of June, if you’ve been in the area of Wyman Elementary School in the morning and at noon, you might have noticed School Resource Officer Sgt. Wayne Rapier and two members of the VIPS team assisting parents and children with the traffic flow around the school. Whether you are one of those folks directly involved in driving the children to school, or you a simply driving by the complex, please be extra careful and slow down in the area of the school. Thanks to Sgt. Wayne Rapier, VIPS/Reserve Officer Dave Reynolds and VIPS volunteer Don Rowland.
On Thursday, Sgt. Jeremy Martens, Spo. Tony Lauth, Spo. Ben Tinsley, Spo. Frank Hawkins and Spo. Leann Robertson conducted a driver’s license checkpoint between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m., in the 1100 block of east 18th St. This time frame and location was selected after receiving several traffic complaints in that particular area. During this operation it is estimated that over 500 motorists were contacted. This action yielded 1 citation for driving while suspended, 1 citation for driving while revoked, and 1 citation for failure to provide insurance, all within just 45 minutes! Great job folks!
On Thursday evening we completed our 3rd of 3 Neighborhood Watch Zone meetings in an effort to bolster participation in this great program. In each of the meetings S/Sgt. Rick Williams provided information on home security and protection and how the Neighborhood Watch concept will work in our community. Rolla Fire and Rescue Training Officer Ron Smith, provided information on the upcoming Community Emergency Response Team training that will enable citizens to fend for themselves in the event of a major disaster until emergency services can arrive. Volunteers in Police Services Coordinator Vince Giacolone and VIPS volunteers Dave Reynolds and Katherine Mattison were available to discuss the VIPS program and the services provided by those volunteers. American Red Cross personnel Edna Bridges and Christy Woolsey presented services offered by that agency and provided information on how to volunteer. And finally Phelps County Health Department representatives Beverly Stewart and Debbie Rhodes provided informational brochures on the “Ready in 3” program and discussed other services provided by their agency. I would like to thank all the representatives and taking time to help bolster these very worthy programs and would also like to thank the Rolla Recreation Centre and the 1st Assembly of God Church for their support. Great job folks. If for some reason you were unable to attend either of the 3 Zone meetings, and are interested in starting or enhancing a Neighborhood Watch program contact S/Sgt. Rick Williams at 308-1213.
In closing, I would like to offer a quick reminder to please be aware of the dramatic increase in bicyclists and motorcyclists in our community. Higher temperatures, higher fuel costs and fitness are the key factors in this choice in transportation. As you know, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles are much more difficult to see in traffic and the sad fact is that most motorists are used to watching for full size passenger cars and trucks, and not the cycles. This mind set is what leads to the car-truck/motorcycle collisions that are commonly much worse on the cyclists. Please use caution while driving and take an extra split second to check traffic closely before pulling from a private drive, business or intersection. Cyclists of all kinds are encouraged to wear a safe helmet, bright colored clothing or safety vest, and too also use extreme caution while riding.
Have a great week!
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