Summer 2022 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives

CHIEF’S NOTES

and needs to be replaced When replacing smoke alarms, you must replace hardwired smoke alarms with a new hardwired alarm Do not replace existing hardwired alarms with new wireless or internet connected devices Those types of alarms should be installed sep arately from the ones already in your home The Shakopee Fire Department offer the fol lowing tips to help prevent fires: ■ Install and maintain smoke alarms ■ Maintain gas and electrical appliances ■ Keep matches and lighters away from children ■ Develop and practice a home fire escape plan For more information about smoke detec tors, CO alarms and home fire escape plans contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570

Are the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home in working order? If you’renot sure, this is your sign todouble check! Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to make sure they are operating and should have their batteries changed annually According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 90% of U S households have smoke alarms installed However, a CPSC survey estimated that 20%of thosehouseholds, about 16million, did not have any working alarms Fire is the second leading cause of uninten tional death in the home Each year there are more than 340,000 residential fires reported in the U S Those fires result in the deaths of over 2,600 people Those individuals are mothers, fathers, children, and other family members and loved ones Smoke alarms that meet the requirements of a professional testing laboratory, such as Under writers Laboratories' (UL), should be placed on each level of multi-story homes outside sleep ing areas, and alarms need to be located inside each bedroom A carbon monoxide alarm that meets UL requirements also needs to be installed within 10-feet of sleeping rooms The City of Shakopee requires by ordinance that all structures containing sleeping areas be pro vided with working smoke alarms Smokealarmsmustbereplacedevery10years Check the back of your smoke alarm to deter mine how old it is If you do not find a man ufacturer date, the alarm is over 10-years-old

Warm weather breeds opportunity The weather is finally nicer and the number of walks I’ve been going on with

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

my wife are becoming more in number As we walked around our neighborhood today, I was struck by how many people put their outgoing mail in the mailbox and raise the mailbox flag Mail theft is a frequent problem, and when criminals see the flag up, it’s easy for them to drive up and take what’s in your box They are hoping to find a check or other financial information It’s not hard to wash a check so please, don’t put your outgoing mail in your mailbox Take the time to drop it off at a post office mailbox and make sure not to leave mail sitting in your mailbox longer than necessary The other thing that surprised me were the number of garages left open with nobody around It’s not hard to see what’s in your garage when you drive by Most of our thefts from vehicles and garages are from ones that are unlocked We could drastically cut our thefts in this city if we took the time to secure our valuables It’s important to stay vigilant and to watch out for your neighbors If you did not participate in Night to Unite last year, please consider starting a neighborhood block party for 2022 Registration will open soon, and hopefully we’ll see you in August Please also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShakopeePD and check out our website for crime prevention activities this summer Our 2021 annual report is now up on our

Long-time Shakopee firefighters retire

Three firefighters who each served the city of Shakopee for more than 20 years have traded their time fighting flames for more time enjoying the summer sun Dave Judd, Eric Bender and Bob Gieseke retired with a cumula tive 81 years of service to the Shakopee Fire Department “These 3 have over 80 years of wisdom and experience that will truly be missed,” said Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Yttreness “I have had the pleasure to work with all three of them and they were

website Please take some time and check it out Shakopee remains a very safe community and if we all do our part, we can make it even safer

Dave Judd

Shakopee Police Department 2021 Annual Report

always willing to go the extra mile If you asked anyone of them for help, they would never hesitate to offer a hand” Judd, Bender and Gieseke will be greatly missed at the fire station Thank you for your service to the community!

INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONALISM. COMMUNITY POLICING. The Shakopee Police Department strives to serve and protect our citizens by partnering with residents, businesses and local organizations to build a stronger, safer community for all.

Eric Bender

Bob Gieseke

Summer 2021 17 2