Police Chief Chat

Chief Chat

This past week, the Rolla Police Department handled 769 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 31 arrests,22 accidents,38 traffic complaints,121 traffic stops, 30 disturbance calls (including domestics),11 suspicious nature calls, 22 assists of other agencies, 59 911 hang up calls, 6 check the well being requests, 31 animal control calls, 17 stealing calls, 20 escorts, 37 security checks, 1 intoxicated person call and 9 careless drivers. This call total is up 21 calls from last week. Yet, another busy week!

On Tuesday February 8th, 2011 several employees attended M.U.L.E.S. recertification training hosted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and held at Troop I in Rolla. The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (M.U.L.E.S.) is the computer system used by the Highway Patrol and most Central Missouri Law Enforcement agencies. The automated system is used to make inquiries on drivers licenses, vehicle license plate registration, warrant checks, stolen vehicle and other property inquiries and to broadcast other law enforcement messages nationwide. This system allows patrol officers to make inquiries via radio through Central Dispatch and receive the requested information in a matter of seconds. Those in attendance included Cpt. Jason Smith, Detective Sgt. Ken Nakanishi, Cpl. Tim Mayfield, Detective Hank Harper and telecommunicators Amanda Rogers and Clint Capps.

The Rolla Police Department will be joining efforts with statewide law enforcement on Friday, Feb. 25 for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to get more motorists to buckle up – and save more lives. Despite evidence proving the benefits of wearing a seat belt, nearly one in four Missouri motorists are still not making it click. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled. “Local motorists should be prepared for stepped up Click It or Ticket enforcement,” said Corporal Tim Mayfield, Rolla Police Department Traffic Supervisor. “We’ll be out there to remind you seat belts can – and do- save lives.” Buckle Up and Arrive Alive. For information on Missouri seatbelt usage, please visit www.saveMOlives.com.

In early January, just off the heels of the devastating and deadly tornado storm that passed through Phelps County, Emergency Management Director Rick Williams sent out a letter to all the different emergency response agencies in the county with a follow-up to the storm. Rick wrote: In light of the recent tornado situation experienced by all of us here in the Rolla community, I would like to say that I am very proud of all of our emergency responders and their governing bodies for their quick response, strategic approach and unending diligence in doing what it takes to restore order in the community. As the Emergency Management Director for the City of Rolla, I cannot tell you how relieved I was to discover the brunt of this storm was going to miss the City of Rolla. Sadly, the residents in the surrounding Phelps County area did not fare so well.

As you know, the City of Rolla has an outdoor Emergency Warning System (10 sirens) in place and these sirens are activated when the National Weather Service in Springfield names Rolla in the pathcast of the approaching storm system. We sound the sirens when there is a tornado warning or a warning of storm produced straight winds in excess of 75 mph. Our sirens are outdoor warning sirens and are intended to alert citizens who may be outside their homes of impending severe weather. These sirens are quite loud and many of the citizens of Rolla are able to hear them inside their homes but that is not the intent of the manufacturer of the sirens… just a bonus for us.

Now there are parts of Phelps County surrounding Rolla, where county residents are able to hear our warning sirens and take appropriate action, but this is not the norm. And with the large expanse of Phelps County and the differing distances between homes, a siren system for county residents is not practical and certainly not cost effective. A few years ago, I looked at other forms of early warning systems for our community and learned of a company called CodeRed. This company offers a service that is an early telephone warning system designed to automatically deliver targeted weather notifications for the immediate threat of severe thunderstorm warnings, flash flood warnings and tornado warnings within moments of being issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).

In other words, this system will alert citizens via, telephone message, text or email of impending severe weather without any effort or input from the governing agency. As you know the use of cell phones, smart phones, I-Pads and other media devices are on the rise and it seems as if almost everyone carries these devices with them constantly. What better way to let the community know than a personal message that they are sure to receive? This system can also be used by law enforcement and fire districts to warn of major incidences such as barricaded shooters, hazmat spills, power outages and road closings. Public works can use the system warn citizens of road repair projects, parade routes, sewer line breakage and many other functions. Public school systems can utilize CodeRed for parental notification of early school closings and emergency school evacuations and incidents. Health Departments and medical centers can provide pandemic info, vaccine availability, and emergency rerouting.

This program seems to be very cost effective and a great way to reach the masses in the event of emergencies. A representative from CodeRed is scheduled to be in Rolla on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Phelps County Courthouse to introduce the program and provide a demonstration of the services available. I think it would be in the best interest of the community if all of you or your designee could attend and present any questions you may have. We will be meeting in the County Clerk’s office. I have provided attached information on the CodeRed system for your review. This letter was sent to representatives from the Phelps County Commission, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Phelps County Health Dept., Phelps County Office of Emergency Management, Rolla Fire and Rescue, City of Rolla Mayor’s Office, City of Rolla Public Works Dept., Rolla Public Schools, Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Central Dispatch, the Emergency Services Board and Rolla Municipal Utilities.

The meeting was held this past Thursday and all the aforementioned agencies sent representatives to look at the program. At the conclusion, the consensus was to look at the possibility of instituting the program here in Phelps County with all the participating agencies contributing to the cost of the program and all agencies maintaining individual control of their usage. We feel this program would be an added benefit to both citizens within the city limits of Rolla as well as the residents of surrounding Phelps County and other municipalities. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled in the near future in an attempt to secure the benefits of this program.

In closing, I would like to remind you to be sure to join our Rolla Police Department Facebook site. We have nearly 5000 loyal fans who are receiving minute to minute crime and arrest reports, severe weather and traffic warnings, updates to policies and procedures, new employee introductions, dangerous suspect information, humerous officer encounters and many other features. Simply put, this Facebook page is the Rolla Police Department Daily Newspaper. If you are not a member go to Facbook.com and then search for the Rolla Police Department page. If you are already enjoying our site then be sure to tell friends and family to join us. This is just one more way the Rolla Police Department strives to keep the citizens up to date on happenings in our community.

Have a great week!

Chief Mark Kearse