Shakopee Snapshot: Spring 2025

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

In 2024, the Shakopee Fire Department responded to 1,938

incidents, a 12% increase from the

previous year. Among these, 103 required emergency call-backs for off-duty staff, and 163 involved overlapping incidents, highlighting the growing needs of our community. As Shakopee continues to grow, we expect these numbers to rise, but our commitment to keeping you safe remains steadfast. Our department offers services designed to protect your loved ones and bring peace of mind to our community. Car Seat Installations: Protecting Our Future In Minnesota, children under nine must ride in a car seat, but 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly. Proper installation can prevent injury in a crash, which is why we offer free car seat installation checks. Visit www. ShakopeeMN.gov/fire to sign up for one. Home Fire Safety Program: Prevent, Prepare, Protect Home fires can have devastating consequences, but the good news is that prevention and preparation can significantly reduce the risks. Our Home Fire Safety Program is designed to help you safeguard your home and family. Through home visits, firefighters will check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, assist with creating an effective fire escape plan, and provide specific safety tips for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. We also offer guidance on burn and fall prevention and help identify the best spots for detectors. For residents facing financial hardship, we can provide a limited number of smoke detectors at no cost. Station Tours & Firefighter Visits: Bringing Fire Safety to the Community We believe that education and engagement are key to building a safer community. That’s why we offer fire station tours for groups ages three and up. These one-hour sessions are fun and informative, providing children and adults alike with a chance to learn about fire safety firsthand. Additionally, our firefighters can visit schools or groups to give fire truck tours and share valuable fire safety lessons. We’re Here for You At the Shakopee Fire Department, we are committed to offering these services and many more to help you stay safe. If you need any assistance or would like to schedule one of our programs, don’t hesitate to contact us through our website or give us a call. Together, we can continue to make Shakopee a safer place for all. Shakopee Fire Chief Mike Nelson

A career built on compassion Meet Shakopee’s new Victim and Community Services Coordinator, Melissa Boone Melissa Boone brings experience working with victims of domestic violence to her role at the Shakopee Police Department.

Melissa Boone didn’t anticipate her career path would lead her to the unique position she holds today, but she’s embraced it with infectious enthusiasm. As the new Community Services Coordinator for the Shakopee Police Department, Boone steps into a dedicated role that exists in only two police departments in Minnesota—providing direct support from within the department to victims of crime. Her journey started as a volunteer working with victims of domestic violence in Faribault. “I wanted to give back to my community, so I signed up to be a volunteer at the Hope Cen ter,” Boone shared. That experience inspired her to return to college in her early 30s, where she earned a degree in sociology and corrections. Boone’s work focuses on helping victims feel sup ported in the criminal justice process. “There are so many gaps when an individual reports a crime,”she explained.“Helping bridge that gap and providing resources—like therapy or counseling, referrals, and explaining how the criminal justice process works—is crucial.” Boone ensures victims understand their rights and connects them to local advocacy groups, particularly for domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

“It’s about making sure victims are aware of their rights and helping them navigate the system with support and clarity,” she said. The ability to empathize with those she serves is a daily necessity for her work. “A big part of my job is educating victims on crimes and helping them work through their feelings. A victim may feel ashamed for being scammed, for example. But those crimes happen more often than not. Ensur ing they know they are not alone and that there are resources to help protect them from future crimes is so important.” Boone also benefits from the many years of work of Shakopee’s previous Victim and Com munity Services Coordinator, Barb Hedstrom. “Barb laid the foundation for me, and I’m hoping I can carry on her legacy. I’m very for tunate to have been able to train with her,” Boone said. Whether helping victims or connecting with the community, Boone’s dedication and empa thy make her an invaluable resource for Shako pee’s residents facing a difficult situation. “I’m very passionate about working with vic tims of crime. I do it because I have a calling.”

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