Summer 2021 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

Operation: Etch & Catch

Shakopee Police get creative in combatting

IF YOU GO... WHAT: Operation: Etch & Catch etching event WHEN: 10 a.m.- Noon Saturday, June 12 WHERE: Shakopee Police Department APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED: www. ShakopeeMN.gov/ operationetch

rise in catalytic converter thefts

Throughout the metro, catalytic converter thefts are on the rise and law enforcement is looking for unique ways to stop them. This spring, the Shakopee Police Department launched Operation: Etch and Catch to help deter would-be thieves. At the drive-up event, officers crawl under vehicles to mark catalytic converters with spray paint and etch the vehicle’s license plate number. Officers also attach a heat-resistant sticker, informing criminals that the catalytic converter has been etched.

An officer etches a vehicle's license plate number on its catalytic converter to deter would-be thieves from stealing it.

Thieves target catalytic converters for their copper wiring, said Police Chief Jeff Tate. In recent months, police agencies across the metro have seen a surge in these thefts. In Shakopee, there have been 70 reported catalytic converter thefts since April 2020. Thieves often work quickly, cutting off a vehicle’s muffler to access the converter, which helps reduce airborne pollutants and increase efficiency. Drivers often don’t know the theft has happened until they start their engine. “When a driver has the catalytic converter stolen from their vehicle not only are they out between $2,000 and $4,000 to replace it, they’re impacted by lost wages, time and energy,”Tate said. Officers are hoping the etched plate number and paint will help them determine the origin of stolen catalytic converters on traffic stops. They are also notifying scrap dealers to be on the lookout for painted and etched converters. Read more at www.ShakopeeMN.gov/cityblog .

NEWS & NOTES Be safe with your backyard fires

Trutnau receives Meritorious Service Award Sgt. Angela Trutnau recently received the Shakopee Police Department's Meritorious Service Award.

Gathering around the campfire is a rite of Minnesota summer. But it's important to take safety precautions. Recreational campfires must: • Contain only natural, clean-burning wood • Not be conducted within 25 feet of any building (15 feet when fully enclosed in a portable fire pit) • Not be conducted if winds are more than 15 miles per hour or are in the direction of nearby structures • Have a source of extinguishment nearby (hose, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, etc.) • Be supervised at all times until the fire has been extinguished A burning permit is not needed for recreational fires less than 3-feet- by-3-feet in size. In addition, City Code prohibits propane, charcoal and electric grills and open flames on patios or balconies of multi-family properties where there are three or more dwelling units within the building.

For the past five years, Sgt. Trutnau worked as the administrative sergeant. During her tenure, she assisted with many important roles, including

the implementation of body-worn cameras. Her input was significant as the department put together a group to vet potential vendors, develop policy, test products, train officers and finally roll out cameras to the entire department. She also oversaw the update to our department policy and procedure manual, migrating it to a new online platform that enhances its ease of use. Sgt. Angela Trutnau

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