Winter 2020-21 Hometown Messenger

Shakopee students sweep state fire safety poster contest Congratulations to three Shakopee students who took first, second and third place in 2019 Minnesota State Fire Chief’s Association poster contest. • Lauren Butterfass, first-place winner (grades 2-3) • Emma Bronken, second-place winner (grades 2-3) • Penny Rients, third-place winner (grades 2-3) The students each won a cash prize of $75, $50 and $25, respectively. Each October, the Shakopee Fire Department sponsors a local contest among Shakopee third-graders. A winning poster is chosen from each Shakopee elementary. The poster is then forwarded to the state contest and the students win treats for their class.

CHIEF’S NOTES

As we approach the holiday season, I am happy to report we will continue two very important traditions in Shakopee. Our annual coat drive is currently under way. You can drop off a new or gently used winter coat at our police department lobby through Dec. 4. We are also accepting winter hats, gloves and boots. We need all sizes, so please help make this another successful coat drive. The winter clothes

go directly to families in Shakopee through Shakopee Community Assistance. I am also excited to announce we will be doing our annual “Shop with a Cop” event Dec. 9. Due to COVID restrictions, the event will be on a much smaller in scale, but we will still be able

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

to take 10 Shakopee children shopping for Christmas presents and hopefully make their Christmas a little brighter this year. This is always a fun event for the kids, their families and police officers. We are grateful to be able to do this event safely.

Lauren Butterfass

Emma Bronken

Penny Rients

NEWS & NOTES

Longtime officer Greg Tucci retires Congratulations to Greg Tucci, who retired Oct. 29 after 33 years with the Shakopee Police Department. New officer sworn into office The Shakopee Police Department welcomed its newest patrol officer, Alex Johnson, in November. Johnson is a graduate of Shakopee High School and Minnesota State University, Mankato. Winter Coat collection through Dec. 4

I also want to take a moment and thank everyone who has been participating in our Virtual Citizens Academy. I have been blown away by the number of views these segments received. I always like meeting people during the in-person academy and having them get to know our officers and what we do. Unfortunately, that can’t happen this year, but this alternative has allowed us to reach so many more people in the community. Thanks again for taking time out of your evenings to watch the videos live or at a later time. We really do appreciate it.

Greg Tucci

Drop off new or gently used coats, gloves and hats for both children and adults to the Shakopee Police Department's Winter Coat Drive. You can drop off items during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They will be given to families at its annual Shop with a Cop event Dec. 9. For more information, contact the Police Department at 952-233-9400. Officers honors as DWI All-Stars Shakopee Police Officers Cortnie Miranowski and Vadim Romanets were honored as a “DWI All-Star” by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Each officer made 36 DWI arrests in 2019.

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