Shakopee Police Department 2020 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report Shakopee Police Department

Integrity. Professionalism. Community Policing. In 2020, the Shakopee Police Department was honored with three prestigious awards, from left: International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Leadership in Community Policing, FBI National Academy Associate’s Science and Innovation Award and the League of Minnesota Cities’ City of Excellence Award. Read more about these awards on page 5.

SHAKOPEE |MN COMMUNITY PRIDE SINCE 1857 City of Shakopee | 485 Gorman St., Shakopee MN 55379 | 952-233-9300 | www.ShakopeeMN.gov

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chief About the Department New Faces in 2020 Awards Crime Statistics Patrol Training Investigations Tribal Liaison Proactive Policing Drug Task Force SWAT Records Unit Code Enforcement Victim & Community Services In the Schools Community Policing Recognition

Police Department on Social Media 12,021 Facebook Likes 8,089 Twitter Followers As of Dec. 31, 2020

3 4 5 5 6 8 9

10 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 18 20

POLICE CHIEF Jeff Tate .......................................................... jtate@ShakopeeMN.gov POPULAR CONTACTS Capt. Chris Dellwo ................................. cdellwo@ShakopeeMN.gov Capt. Jason Arras ......................................... jarras@ShakopeeMN.gov BarbaraHedstrom............................ bhedstrom@ShakopeeMN.gov Nicole Clifton ........................................... nclifton@ShakopeeMN.gov

POLICE DEPARTMENT 475 Gorman St., Shakopee, MN 55379

Phone ................................................................................... 952-233-9400 TTY ....................................................................................... 952-233-9491 Fax ........................................................................................ 952-233-3811 Email ............................................................... police@ShakopeeMN.gov Website ................................................ www.ShakopeeMN.gov/police

2 | Table of Contents

Message from the Chief

Dear residents, Like many of you, I was glad to turn the calendar from 2020 and start a new year. That said, our department had many bright spots last year worth talking about. At the height of the civil unrest last summer, our department held its first Picnic with the Police. Our staff and community came together for one night in July, showcasing our commitment to each other and demonstrating why Shakopee is such a great place to live. With the constant headlines law enforcement was facing at the time, we really needed that night together. It is one of the best days I’ve ever had in a Shakopee uniform. I look forward to our next picnic in the summer of 2021. Our department received several prestigious awards last year. The International Association of Chiefs of Police awarded our department its Leadership in Community Policing award. This international award recognized our commitment and efforts to community policing. It is the second time in the past five years we’ve been honored with the award. Community policing remains the philosophical basis for every decision we make. Our department also received the FBI National Academy Associate’s Award for Science and Innovation in Law Enforcement for the gift card ordinance passed in 2019. The same ordinance was also recognized by the League of Minnesota Cities with the City of Excellence award. We are very proud of this recognition and the success the ordinance has had when dealing with fraud. We certainly had our challenges and moments of frustration last year. It was difficult to cancel our popular events like Shop with a Cop, but as we turn the corner on COVID, we look forward to getting back to in-person events and encourage you to actively participate in our community outreach initiatives throughout the year. While much of what happened in 2020 requires an asterisk because of COVID, I would like to remind folks that Shakopee remains one of the safest cities around. We had one of our lowest crime rates in our history. Shakopee was also ranked the 30th best place to live in the United States! We remain committed to your safety and not just meeting your expectations but exceeding them. Lastly, I must once again thank each and every one of you that reached out to talk with us, bring food or share a nice thought with an officer. Your gestures, letters and emails mean the world to us and make us so proud to serve this wonderful community. The outpouring of appreciation from this community last year was overwhelming—more than we’ve ever seen. Thank you so much! Thank you for taking the time to read our annual report, and please, never hesitate to reach out and contact us if we can ever be of help.

“Our staff and community came together for one night in July, showcasing our commitment to each other and demonstrating why Shakopee is such a great place to live. With the constant headlines law enforcement was facing at the time, we really needed that night together. It is one of the best days I’ve ever had in a Shakopee uniform.”

Jeff Tate Police Chief

Sincerely, Jeff Tate, Shakopee Police Chief

Message from the Chief | 3

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

About the Department

The following pages consist of annual statistics, activities, crime reports and other initiatives for the year Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020.

DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZED STRENGTH Sworn Officers 50 Police Chief 1

As of Dec. 31, 2020

Civilian Staff 13

Evidence Technician 1 Victim & Community Services Coordinator 1 Investigative Aide 1 Code Compliance Specialist 1

Receptionist 1 Records Supervisor 1 Records Specialist 1 Records Technicians 3 Administrative Assistant 1 Crime Prevention Specialist 1 Community Service Officer 1

Captains 2 Sergeants 9 School Resource Officers 4 Investigators 3 Tribal Liaison 1 Drug Task Force Agent 1

Proactive Policing Unit Officers 2

FLEET

Unmarked Squad (1)

As of Dec. 31, 2020

SWAT Truck/ Trailer (1)

Investigation Vehicles (5)

Admin. Vehicles (4)

Marked Squad (16)

Marked CSO Unit (1)

5 5

10 10

15 15

20 20

25 25

0

Fleet

Marked Squads

Unmarked Squad Inves � ga � ve vehicles

Admin vehicles

Marked CSO Unit

SWAT Truck and Trailer

2020 BUDGET

$21.28 How much average household pays in taxes per month for police services

31.6% Portion of city’s general fund budget dedicated to police services

$9,214,600 Department’s 2020 budget (excluding revenues)

4 | Department Summary

New Faces in 2020

Coby graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a degree in Conservation Law Enforcement. Coby worked as a community service officer for the Minnetonka Police Department prior to coming to Shakopee.

Alex is a Shakopee alum who graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Law Enforcement and minor in Alcohol Drug Studies. He previously worked security for Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Desonta returned to the Shakopee Police Department after serving as a community service officer from 2017 to 2018. She most recently worked in Fargo, ND, as a shelter advocate for the YWCA.

Coby Fontes Patrol Officer

Alex Johnson Patrol Officer

DeSonta Landry Community Service Officer

Awards

In October 2020, the International Association of Police presented the Shakopee Police Department its 2020 Leadership in Community Policing award during its virtual conference. This is the second time in five years the department has received the international community policing award. In July 2020, FBI National Academy Associate’s Award presented Shakopee Police with the Science and Innovation in Law Enforcement award. The department was recognized for the first-of-its-kind gift card ordinance launched in 2019. The ordinance requires consumers to show ID when purchasing Visa, American Express or Mastercard gift cards with a credit card. Statistics show a reduction in gift card fraud in the city with only one fraud in the past 12 months. The League of Minnesota Cities also recognized the City of Shakopee with the City of Excellence Award for its gift card ordinance.

New Faces/Awards | 5

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

2020 Crime Statistics

Shakopee Crime Rate (per 100,000 people)

PART I CRIMES

14%

14.14%

900

The FBI classifies the following crimes as Part I.

870

12%

840

810

2019

2020

780

10%

750

8.82%

9.82%

761

720

8%

690

7.47%

660

628

630

6%

600

5.94%

4%

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2020 TOP 10 CALLS FOR SERVICE 1. Highway 169 Bypass (1,579) 2. Shakopee Police Department (630) 3. Walmart (333) 4. Muddy Cow/Baymont (232) 5. Addison Apartments (209) 6. Target (196) 7. Canterbury Park (185) 8. Travelodge (181) 9. St. Francis Regional Medical Center (174) 10. Sarazin Flats (161)

130

120

110

101

100

90

69

75

80

70

60

45

50

41

35

40

29

30

18

20

9 7

10

1

1

1

0

0 Commercial Sex Acts 0

0

Murder

Rape Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Auto Theft Arson

6 |

Crime Statistics

2019 VS. 2020 COMPARISON

2019 2020

PART II CRIMES

Calls for Service

22,910 22,137

Non-Warrant Arrests

1,326

991

The FBI classifies the following crimes as Part II.

Warrant Arrests

357

215

2019

2020

Disorderly Conduct

93

46

36

Liquor Law

14

171

DUI

148

9

Family Offense

5

17

Gambling

10

240

Narcotics

180

33

Sex Offenses

22

2

Prostitution

6

10

Weapons

19

406

Vandalism

321

27

Stolen Property

38

4

Embezzlement

12

248

Fraud

58

280

Forgery

66

165

Assaults (other)

351

112

Other

218

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270

Crime Statistics

| 7

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Patrol

By Sgt. Angela Trutnau

The patrol division of the Shakopee Police Department is the heartbeat of the police department. For many community members, the only contact they ever have with our department is with a patrol officer, whether reporting an incident, chatting at a community event or being stopped for a traffic violation. The uniformed officer is the face of the entire department. In 2020, many of those faces were covered by masks, helping to keep our officers safe. The patrol division is comprised of 26 patrol officers, seven sergeants and one captain. There are four School Resource Officers that work in the schools during the school year and work on patrol during the summer. During 2020,

COVID changed how officers responded to calls, requiring them to wear additional protective equipment and to social distance when possible. However, COVID had very little impact on the service provided by our patrol division. Our patrol officers interact with community members when they respond to calls for service, take reports on incidents that have occurred, patrol neighborhoods, enforce traffic laws and engage in community events. Our officers also conduct criminal investigations by interviewing victims and suspects, review third party surveillance, collect evidence, track stolen property and utilize multiple databases for information. In 2020, we responded to 28,219 calls for service. Our patrol officers are very well trained in many areas: crime scene processing, DWI detection and enforcement, hostage rescue, fraud

The Shakopee Police Department has 50 sworn police officers, most of whom work in the patrol unit.

CITATIONS

2019 2020

Total Citations Issued

3,391 2,278

Seatbelt Citations

37

18

Verbal Warnings Issued

6,057 3,690

Written Warnings Issued

107

167

Child Safety Restraint Citations

18

5

investigation, mental health crisis, first aid and CPR. They work closely with businesses on shoplifting and credit card fraud, which is often connected to other types of crime. Officers also receive de-escalation training on an ongoing basis. While some of our training is through outside sources, much is taught through a train-the-trainer program, making it possible to keep up with new trends.

Snowbird Citations

739

431

TOTAL DWI ARRESTS (ADULT & JUVENILE)

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Arrests

185 174 135 172 171 195 145 151 171 148

8 |

Patrol

Training

By Sgt. Derek Nordtvedt

The dynamic nature of law enforcement requires continual training and education to ensure high-quality service from professional service providers. The Shakopee Police Department recognizes that its most important asset is its human resource. Therefore, the department is committed to provide training and continuing education for its employees to ensure quality service to the public. As with everything else in 2020, COVID-19 has made it difficult to continue to train officers. We had to find new ways of getting officers trained. Most officers attended virtual training sessions or classes online. We hope to get back to regular in-person

trainings in 2021. FIELD TRAINING

The field training process is the proving ground for newly hired officers. It is a 16-week training program where new recruits must display a demonstrated ability to perform specific job functions. The field training process is akin to an apprenticeship and is accomplished in-house. ROLL-CALL TRAINING Roll-call training is offered just prior to or after an officer’s shift. Roll-call training is short in duration and is a valuable means of keeping officers updated on procedural changes. IN-SERVICE TRAINING In-service training is a periodic refresher training offered by the department. It is usually designed to train specific job functions or re-qualify and re-test specific job skills. The Police Department relies on in-service training to accomplish Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board learning objectives and meet the ongoing education mandates of the P.O.S.T. Board. In most cases, in-service training instructors are Shakopee police officers, who have received specialized trainings to become Specialized training is offered to enhance skills, knowledge and abilities beyond the recruit or in-service level of training. Specialized training may address supervisory, management or executive development training, and it may also include technical job-specific subjects (homicide investigation, crime scene processing, etc.). Specialized training has been offered at all levels of rank within the department. It is assigned based on departmental need, availability of budgeted funds and staffing considerations. Requests for specialized training are reviewed and must be unanimously approved by the scheduling sergeant, training coordinator and the services division captain. ADVANCED TRAINING Advanced training is often held outside the agency and designed to impart higher level supervisory and management skills to participants. Examples of advanced training programs are those provided by the FBI National Academy, the Southern Police Institute and the Northwestern University Traffic Institute. Participants for advanced training must be nominated by the police chief with their nomination forwarded to the city administrator. CONTINUING EDUCATION Continuing education is offered through the city’s tuition reimbursement program. Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per calendar year. MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AND DE-ESCALATION TRAINING Law enforcement officers are usually the first people called to help with someone having a mental health crisis. We encourage our officers to take a specialized 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) course. The training provides officers with different techniques for how to talk to people during these mental health crises. All newly hired Shakopee officers attend this training. Along with the mental health training, all officers are encouraged to attend de-escalation training, which teaches different techniques for how to communicate with people and read their reactions with the goal of nonphysical resolution. Officers are taught not only to clearly communicate with the person, but also actively listen. When done properly, de-escalation can help calm a situation down without anyone getting hurt. The Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board requires all police officers to attend 16 hours of CIT/ de-escalation training every three years. instructors in certain areas. SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Training | 9

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Investigations The Shakopee Police Department’s investigations unit includes one sergeant, three detectives, a tribal liaison detective, investigative assistant and a victim and community services coordinator. Investigations partners with officers and civilian staff in the proactive and community services division. The two divisions often work together.

By Sgt. Jamie Pearson

CASE CLEARANCE RATES

2016 2017 2018 2019

Shakopee Police Department

54% 49% 47% 50%

Average for Minnesota Urban Communities

44% 44% 45% 46%

Detectives are responsible for a caseload assigned by the sergeant. As part of their caseloads, they process crime scenes; gather evidence; conduct interviews of victims, witnesses and suspects; and present all evidence to the Scott County Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The nature of criminal cases investigated run the spectrum of property and person crimes and are most often generated at the patrol level. Detectives also participate in many inter-jurisdictional criminal justice teams. As a team effort, detectives are also called to assist other law enforcement agencies with their investigations. In 2020, the investigations division worked on many financial crimes cases including mail theft, unauthorized credit card use, check forgery and identity theft. The investigations unit had an unusually large number of unemployment fraud cases. Detectives partnered with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, as well as Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, in an attempt to further identify suspects in these cases. Detectives work diligently to obtain successful prosecution on every case they are assigned. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an overall slower year. Detective’s worked 482 cases in 2020, which is significantly lower than 2019 (631). A case highlight from May 2020 includes the successful prosecution of an aggravated robbery and receiving stolen property case. The suspect robbed a taxicab driver and stole the taxicab. During the robbery, the suspect ran the victim over with the taxicab causing serious injury. The suspect fled the scene in the stolen taxicab. Through teamwork and perseverance, the suspect was located and apprehended two days after the robbery. He pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 93 months in prison.

Tribal Liaison

By Det. Nicki Marquardt

The Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) have an ongoing partnership that includes a tribal liaison program. Over the years, the tribal liaison program has built a strong working relationship between the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. In addition to the close working relationship with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the tribal liaison works closely with the tribal liaison from the Prior Lake Police Department as the community lies within the boundaries of both Shakopee and Prior Lake. The tribal liaison communicates with SMSC staff on a regular basis to discuss community events and activities. The tribal liaison usually attends annual SMSC events such as the Wacipi (PowWow) and Night to Unite where the liaison is able to interact with the SMSC members, staff and visitors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those events were canceled in 2020 and everyone looks forward to their return in 2021. The tribal liaison program has been well received by both the Shakopee Police Department and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community members and staff. Nicki Marquardt held the position from 2013-20. In August 2020, JeffWyckoff became the new tribal liaison.

10 |

Investigations/Tribal Liaison

The proactive policing unit (PPU) provides a unique and proactive approach to criminal activity, public nuisance problems and emerging crime trends within the City of Shakopee. The members receive specialized training focusing on the success of the unit, department and betterment of the community. The PPU is comprised of two officers, who work closely with all divisions of the Shakopee Police Department, the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force and other outside agencies that are seeing similar crime trends and the same criminals. The PPU works closely with community members and businesses with the goal of preventing and solving criminal activity, along with addressing quality of life concerns within the city. This unit is not subject to a patrol-style call load, allowing for a more focused response to areas of concerns. Officers Bengtson and Hendricks started with the unit in 2018. In January 2020, Officer Hendricks was promoted to sergeant, creating an open position within PPU. After a competitive application process, Officer Santos joined the unit in March 2020. Due to COVID-19, the ability to place offenders in custody has been restricted out of an abundance of caution. Due to safety restrictions, a significant number of people were charged via formal complaint in lieu of being taken into custody. Proactive Policing

By Nicholas Bengtson, PPU officer

The Lock it, Shakopee initiative was launched in early 2020 to create public awareness and reduce the number of thefts

and burglaries from unlocked vehicles and houses. Overall, the number of motor vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles and residential burglaries decreased from 2019 to 2020. Thanks to the public for making Shakopee a safer place where people want to be. And don’t forget to Lock, it Shakopee! LOCK IT, SHAKOPEE 2019 2020 Residential Burglaries 34 27 Thefts from Unlocked Vehicles 74 67 Unlocked Motor Vehicle Thefts 44 40

Although the unit was intended as a full-time unit, staffing shortages created the need for the PPU members to temporarily return to a uniformed patrol function in August 2020. Although Bengtson and Santos returned to patrol, they were able to continue with some of the duties associated with the team, including working with the community to strategically place surveillance cameras in troubled areas and with local loss prevention employees to curb some of the increased theft from local stores. From January to August, the unit proactively addressed community problems such as: nuisance properties, narcotics complaints, thefts, burglaries, check forgeries and frauds. The unit arrested 49 people and sent 31 cases to the Scott County Attorney’s Office for formal complaints. The officers investigated more than 100 cases, with some still under investigation, and several referred to other divisions or departments. They also completed approximately 70 search warrants and submitted 172 initial and follow-up reports. Several cases were very involved and took several weeks of investigation to resolve. One particular case began in July 2020, involving a storage unit “burglary crew.”They worked with investigators from multiple agencies in five different counties, resulting in the identification and charging of 10 suspects in relation to multiple burglaries and property crimes. Due to the teamwork, coordination and information sharing from the PPU, it is estimated that around $100,000 of stolen property was recovered and returned to its rightful owners. Through this investigation, Shakopee police officers identified and charged two suspects with more than eight felony charges related to the initial burglary that occurred in Shakopee. The police department anticipates staffing levels to allow the PPU to resume their proactive policing sometime in early 2021.

Proactive Policing | 11

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Drug Task Force

By Agent Mike Penning

It is the mission of the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force (SWMDTF) to provide a comprehensive and multi-jurisdictional effort to reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences and to provide effective drug awareness education through the coordination and resource sharing of its participating agencies. The SWMDTF includes Scott, Carver, and McLeod counties, as well as a small portion of Hennepin County. The four main drug threats in our service area are cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. SWMDTF NARCOTICS SEIZED (IN GRAMS) 2018 2019 2020

In 2020, the task force recorded a considerable decrease in cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin seizures; however, seizures of marijuana saw an increase from 2019. Marijuana seizures rose this year despite the pandemic, showing just how prevalent and popular this drug continues to be. In one operation alone, agents seized more than 196 pounds of marijuana. The SWMDTF is doing its best to combat the sale of opioids

Heroin

539.74 2,665.28 1,801.21 19,230 99,167.34 8,002.94

Methamphetamines

Marijuana

80,622.98 87,913.5 97,236.5

Cocaine

232.78 3,288.64 775.4

in the metro area. The task force assisted in more than double the number of overdose death investigations than in 2019. Unfortunately, the task force is commonly seeing stronger opioids, such as fentanyl, being sold and used on the streets. In many cases, the fentanyl has been mixed into other types of heroin and has even been seen mixed with various types of amphetamines.

Although the seizure numbers were down, the number of search warrants executed and drug arrests made increased. There were 127 search warrants in 2020, up from 95 in 2019. In 2020, 86 people were arrested on drug charges, which increased from 69 people in 2019. It will continue to be the commitment of the SWMDTF beyond this pandemic to educate our communities to stem drug use, violent crimes and property crimes to keep our citizens safe and healthy, especially during troubling times when they need it the most.

Marijuana seized by the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force

12 |

Drug Task Force

SWAT

By Sgt. Derek Nordtvedt

Tri-City Tactical Team (TCTT) is a multi-jurisdictional special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit that responds to critical incidents in Scott and Carver counties. The team is comprised of Scott and Carver Sheriff’s Offices, Prior Lake, Savage and Shakopee Police Departments. The team has 28 deputies and officers, as well as tactical paramedics from Mdewakanton Public Safety.

In 2020, Shakopee Police Department had six officers assigned as tactical operators and one officer on the crisis negotiations team. Sgt. Nordtvedt and Officers Englin, Kerr, Goette, Goerish and Penning served on the tactical team, attending monthly training and specialized training for individual assignments. Operators specialize in topics such as the ballistic bunker, gas munitions, less lethal munitions, precision long rifle and more. All the team operators receive training in many specialty areas including: hostage rescue tactics, high-risk warrant service, slow and deliberate searching techniques, distraction device/chemical munitions deployment, firearms training and qualifications, wooded area/open field search tactics, breaching/ballistic shield operations, VIP/dignitary protection tactics, Coast Guard Marine patrol techniques, tactical scouting and reconnaissance. The Tri-City Tactical Team also trains with South Metro Tactical Teams (Richfield, Bloomington, MSP Airport, Burnsville and Eagan police departments) and attends an annual four-day training conference at Camp Ripley. Due to COVID-19, this annual training was canceled.

Members of the Shakopee Police Department train with other local law enforcement officers as part of the Tri-City Tactical Team.

Members of the crisis negotiation team also train on a monthly basis to develop and practice their skills. Officer Schmidt of the Shakopee Police Department is one of eight negotiators on the team.

The Tri-City Tactical Team had 11 team activations in 2020. A high-risk warrant for a homicide suspect, high-risk warrant for a suspect involved in a shooting, domestic/hostage call and a dignitary protection detail were just a few of the activations.

SWAT Team | 13

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Records Unit

By Claudia Cassman, Records Supervisor

The records unit is part of the support services division providing assistance to administration, patrol and investigations, as well as serving the public. Records staff includes the records supervisor, one records specialist, three records technicians and a receptionist. The unit is also assisted by a community service officer, a code compliance specialist, an administrative assistant and an evidence technician.

The records unit plays an important role in the police department with many of its tasks happening behind the scenes. We ensure accurate processing, dissemination and maintenance of police records and entering of information into

GUN PERMITS 2017 2018 2019 2020 303 254 251 759

a nationwide database. We forward case submissions to the Scott County Attorney’s Office for consideration of criminal charges, disseminate cases to the Scott County Human Services Department and compile monthly and annual department statistics. In 2020, the records unit handled more than 750 permit to purchase applications, which is a significant increase to previous years. Furthermore, records staff adapted to new guidelines implemented due to COVID by continuing to be dedicated to providing the highest quality of service in person, via phone and email.

Records Unit staff, from left, front: Molly Crosby, Cristie Lesko and Amberly Cortez; back: Tammy Amundson, Jean Link and Joell Evers.

Code Enforcement

By Joe Alessi, Code Compliance Specialist

The Shakopee Police Department places a high level of priority on code enforcement. The idea behind code enforcement is to gain compliance from property owners in both residential and commercial areas within the community. Our goal is to work with complainants and property owners toward voluntary compliance rather than referring the cases to court. In 2020, the code compliance specialist was able to balance the need to enforce city ordinances and observing the fact that many residents were unable to leave their house due to the pandemic. Some of the accomplishments in 2020 include: • Handled service requests derived from city website portal • Removed more than 500 temporary signs from around the city • Addressed email complaints sent into general email at Shakopee Police Department • Increased proactive ordinance related activity • Reviewed dangerous dogs for compliance with city code • Addressed property damage calls associated with graffiti on city property In June 2020, the city hired a new community service officer to assist the patrol unit, along with parking and other ordinance violations. Some of the roles associated with the community service officer include: • Addressing parking related calls for service • Helping with traffic control STATISTICS 2019 2020 Ordinance Calls 776 656 Parking Issues (without variance) 1,146 914 Animal Complaints 375 324 TOTAL 2,297 1,894

• Responding to calls for service that do not require a sworn officer • Assisting patrol with retrieving evidence or other related matters

14 |

Records Unit/Code Enforcement

Victim & Community Services By Barbara Hedstrom, Victim and Community Services Coordinator

The Shakopee Police Department’s crime victim coordinator position has been in existence for five years and has been modified a few times. Besides serving crime victims, the position originally included other administrative tasks, such as monitoring the pawn registrations sites and coordinating predatory offender compliance checks. Currently, the position focuses on three primary objectives: serving victims of crime, outreach to the community and supporting police services.

Crime Victim Coordinator Barb Hedstrom supports and serves victims of crimes in a variety of ways. Her primary function is direct services to crime victims in Shakopee. Crime victims are referred to her by police officers and investigators. She also initiates contact with victims and takes calls, emails and texts directly from crime victims who have questions or concerns. She assists with updating victims with the status of a criminal investigation or court case, advises victims of their rights in the criminal justice system, including providing information on financial resources that may be available to the crime victim. In 2020, the crime victim coordinator assisted: • A family who was traumatized when someone drove by and shot at its house; • Numerous apartment residents whose buildings were burglarized, resulting in the theft of tenants’ rent payment checks; • Several victims who were scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars by a local man. Barb also helps crime victims by addressing victims’ needs in a larger perspective within the police department. She plays a role in educating new police officers about working with crime victims. She helps bring victim-centered training opportunities to the department, like the POST-approved course by the Minnesota Elder Justice Center on identifying and interviewing cases of elder abuse. She shares new community resources with officers so they can help people in our community. The police department’s support for victims can also be seen by the community coordinating organizations that we participate in, such as the Scott County Sexual Assault Response Team and Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking. Barb recently become a board member with the Minnesota Alliance on Crime, which is a coalition that educates and supports crime victim services professionals, who help crime victims all over Minnesota. As one of the few law enforcement-based victim service professionals in the state of Minnesota, Barb continues to envision more ways to help crime victims—both within our police department and as a resource to other law enforcement agencies who are interested in creating a victim services position within their departments. Many of the crime victim coordinator’s roles continue to evolve as the needs of our department and community develop and change. We can’t wait to see what the next five years bring.

Victim & Community Services | 15

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

DARE In the Schools The Shakopee Police Department proudly partners with Shakopee Area Catholic School to offer the DARE program. During the school year, a DARE officer works closely with school officials, teachers, parents and students to enhance the learning experience, By Cortnie Miranowski, DARE Officer

promote responsible behavior and sharpen decision-making skills. This connection helps students see police officers not only as enforcers, but also as supporters who want them to make good life choices. This partnership promotes familiarity and trust. It opens communication lines that are vital to solving community issues and promoting a great city in which to live, learn and work. In 2020, Shakopee Area Catholic School welcomed Officer Cortnie Miranowski to each fifth-grade classroom to present the DARE “Keepin’ it Real” curriculum. Keepin’ it Real tackles such issues as bullying, peer pressure, drug abuse, risky situations and stress. During the program,

students learn and practice effective listening skills, confident communication, reporting bullying and what it means to be a good citizen. The students are also given the DARE decision-making model and resistance strategies as tools to advance their critical thinking and decision-making skills. Sixty-four students graduated from the 10-week program in March 2020. SACS hosts a graduation ceremony where each graduate is presented with a certificate, demonstrating they will continue to make safe and responsible choices. DARE students at Shakopee Area Catholic School.

C.O.P.S.

By Chad Wimmer, School Resource Officer

For the 2020-21 school year, school resource officers continued to teach the C.O.P.S. (Community Outreach by Police for Students) curriculum in the Shakopee Public Schools. C.O.P.S. is a way to get school resource officers into classrooms. The goal is to teach youth about the pressures they may face on a daily basis and how to best deal with those issues. During the school year, school resource officers tried to coordinate with elementary school teachers and middle school health

teachers to present on topics in the curriculum. The topics included stress, kid-versus-adult problems (how each affect them differently), developing a help network, peer pressure, internet safety, bullying, and drugs and alcohol. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our way of life. As Shakopee Public Schools transitioned in and out of distance learning, all four school resource officers took an active role to assist with school material and food deliveries. Officer Wimmer and Officer Christianson tried to coordinate with all fifth-, sixth- and seventh-

grade teachers (whether in person or via Zoom and Google Meets). In the fifth-grade classrooms, the topics focused on stress recognition and solutions, kid-versus-adult problems and help networks. In each sixth-grade classroom, officers spoke about peer pressure. At the seventh-grade level, the officers discussed internet safety and how it relates to social media, as well as drugs and alcohol. The program allows the school resource officers to have positive interactions with the students. The officers help the students identify the stressors they may encounter daily. Furthermore, the students are given additional resources to deal with the issues that may arise throughout their academic careers. The program reaches approximately 2,200 students in seven schools.

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In the Schools

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

By Michael McLain, School Resource Officer

In 2020, the Shakopee Police Department and Shakopee School District continued their partnership to provide safety and security for the Shakopee Public Schools through our School Resource Officer program. These officers work in assigned schools during the school year and rotate to patrol duties during the summer. Officers Michael McLain and Travis Goerish are assigned to the Shakopee Senior High School; Officer Canon Christianson is assigned to Shakopee East Middle School; and Officer ChadWimmer is assigned to Shakopee West Middle School. School resource officers (SRO) are also assigned to the elementary, alternative and parochial schools. SROs perform various duties throughout the course of a school day. Their main role is the safety and prevention of any critical incident or criminal act within the schools. The majority of a school resource officer’s day consists of partnering with school administrators, teachers, school counselors, parents and students to help resolve issues, build positive relationships and provide a safe learning environment. SROs present information to students in a classroom setting on a variety of topics, such as drug and alcohol awareness, internet safety, bullying, constitutional law, domestic assault, theft and child safety. Presentations are provided for all age ranges beginning at the preschool level through 12th grade, along with parent groups at the Pearson Early Learning Center and PTO groups. Ultimately, the most important role an SRO has is fostering positive relationships with students. It is important the students understand that the SRO is a resource available to them during their time as a student and beyond. An SRO’s goal is to build a strong foundation that students will carry on throughout their lives as productive members of society.

School Resource Officer Christianson supporting distance learning by dropping off math books to Shakopee East Middle School students during COVID-19 closures.

2020 was a roller coaster for SROs as our responsibilities changed with the needs of the school. The end of the 2019-2020 school year sadly was not in person. Our roles changed, SROs assisted with the patrol division, investigations division and even the proactive policing unit (PPU). Even with changing times, the SROs were able to assist the school with welfare checks, handing out meals and meeting with students and talking about law enforcement via Zoom meetings. SROs rolled with the punches during COVID but remained a constant resource for students and staff in Shakopee.

In the Schools | 17

2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Community Policing

By Nicole Clifton, Crime Prevention Specialist

Community policing is the cornerstone of everything we do at the Shakopee Police Department. Successful community policing requires a joint responsibility and commitment by both the department and the community members in working together cooperatively in solving problems, addressing quality of life issues and preventing crime before it occurs. These relationships are made through events, police-community forums and the use of social media. The 2020 highlights include: WINTER & SPRING

JAN. 27-FEB. 7: DIAPER DRIVE In honor of the late Janna Wood, the department hosted its fourth annual Diaper Drive. More than 20,000 diapers were collected. All diapers were donated to Shakopee Community Assistance’s diaper bank to assist families in need.

Janna Wood’s mother, Tracy, along with investigators gathered donated diapers to be dropped off at Shakopee Community Assistance.

FEB. 15: POLAR PLUNGE Several department members jumped into the icy waters of Prior Lake to raise money and show support for the Special Olympics of Minnesota. FEB. 27: BLOOD DRIVE

The department hosted a drive with Memorial Blood Centers. The department hosts four blood drives each year.

MARCH 11: SOBER RIDE HOME The department teamed up with Shakopee Crime Prevention, Inc. and local taxi companies to offer free rides home from local bars on some of the most popular drinking nights of the year. SUMMER JUNE 3: ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY Department staff volunteered to clean up along County Highway 21 as part of the Adopt-a- Highway Program. JULY 11: GRAFFITI CLEAN UP River Valley Church helped Shakopee officers with graffiti clean up and trash removal down. A volunteer with River Valley Church paints over graffiti near the Holmes Street bridge pillars.

Capt. Chris Dellwo donates blood as part of the February drive.

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Community Policing

JULY 15: PICNIC WITH POLICE Shakopee joined Hosanna Church, Esperanza and Shakopee Parks and Recreation for its first annual Picnic with Police. Participants enjoyed food, yard games, raffled giveaways and some community fun in the park.

AUG. 4: NIGHT TO UNITE Shakopee participated in its 12th annual Night to Unite celebration. Neighbors were visited by officers, Shakopee Public Works, City Council and Northstar K9.

FALL/EARLY WINTER OCT. 7: COFFEE WITH A COP

This outdoor, drive-in event invited the public to enjoy a cup of coffee and sweet treat while meeting our officers in a socially distanced manner. We offered free car seat checks and had a Public Works

mechanic available to offer advice on how to winterize your vehicle. The first 20 attendees received a free vehicle emergency kit. OCT. 14-28: VIRTUAL CITIZENS ACADEMY Shakopee officers hosted a three-week virtual Citizens Academy live on Facebook Wednesday evenings in July. Officers gave views a live look at different areas of policing, including a police gear/squad car overview, traffic safety and forensics. OCT. 17: SHRED RIGHT This free event allowed Shakopee residents to safely and securely shred personal documents, junk mail, bills and more. DEC. 7: SHOP WITH A COP Although the event looked different this year, officers were still able to help out 11 families in need. Each family was able to stop by the police department to pick up its gift card and any winter gear needed, thanks to the month-long winter coat drive organized by the police department.

Our October Coffee with a Cop event had beautiful weather to meet and greet the community.

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2020 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Recognition

Nicholas Bengtson 2020 Officer of the Year

Officer Nick Bengtson was selected as the 2020 Shakopee Police Officer of the Year. Bengtson, a six-year veteran of the department, was recognized for his leadership, work ethic, positive attitude and the example he sets for younger officers at the department. He was also recognized for a multi-jurisdictional burglary investigation. In 2020, Officer Bengtson had many roles in the department. He was a patrol officer, field training officer and a member of the proactive policing unit. “Bengtson upholds the mission of the Shakopee Police Department and is an excellent representation of this award,” said Chief Jeff Tate. Bengtson was also named the 2020 Investigator of the Year by the Tri-County Law Enforcement Association, a training and information-sharing organization for investigators throughout Minnesota andWestern Wisconsin.

DWI All-Stars Officers Vadim Romanets, left, and Cortnie Miranowski were honored as a “DWI All-Star” by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Officers Romanets and Miranowski each made 36 DWI arrests in 2019.

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Recognition