Laserfiche WebLink
MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Wednesday, March 22, 2017 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />2016 POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT- PRESENTATION - Continued <br />The Police Department also participates in the DARE Program. During Forensics Day the police hosted <br />between 400-500 high school students where the students had a chance to learn about drugs, use of force, <br />and crime scene investigation. <br />Farniok stated the Orono Police Department also has a great volunteer program with 14 reserve officers <br />currently. Those officers put in over 2,000 volunteer hours in 2016. In addition, the Explorer program <br />has seven members. Those explorers just participated in a competition in St. Paul and took first place. <br />Farniok noted Orono saw an increase in thefts in 2016. Famiok encouraged everyone to lock their doors <br />to vehicles and to take their valuables inside. Farniok stated the majority of the thefts are occurring from <br />cars that are left unlocked. <br />Orono did have one homicide last year. Famiok stated it got called in as an overdose but through the <br />investigation they were able to obtain fingerprints and find the dealer who sold the drugs. Farniok stated <br />they were able to charge that individual with third degree murder and the case is currently going through <br />court process. <br />Farniok reported in 2016 the Drug Task Force confiscated just under 13 pounds of cocaine, 5 8 pounds of <br />meth, and 48 pounds of marijuana. Farniok noted in previous years they saw a higher amount of <br />marijuana but that they are now seeing that usage is changing. As a result, in 2016 there was a spike in <br />heroin, cocaine and meth. The Drug Task Force, in the first month of 2017, conducted a bust which <br />resulted in the confiscation of two pounds of heroin, half a pound of meth, and 14 pounds of marijuana. <br />Farniok noted they are noticing heroin is on the rise in this area. <br />Seals asked if these numbers are for all the communities the Police Department covers or just for Orono. <br />Farniok indicated the Drug Task Force has no boundaries and that they go wherever the information takes <br />them. When the task force was created 12 years ago, they were seeing a lot of stuff being brought into the <br />community but that the dealers do not live here. Farniok stated the Drug Task Force is able to follow the <br />sources. <br />Seals asked how this compares to other communities in the state. <br />Farniok stated the Drug Task Force is similar to other neighboring drug task forces. At times the various <br />Drug Task Forces will work together and that there are significant amounts of work and drugs that are <br />involved. Farniok stated in 2016 the Drug Task Force for this area confiscated drugs with a street value <br />of $5 million and that they need to work together as a partnership since they cannot tackle this alone. <br />Mayor Walsh noted the Police Department also partners with the local schools and that he has heard a <br />number of positive comments about that program. <br />Farniok stated he hopes to have this update on the police department's website by Monday. <br />The City Council commended Police Chief Farniok for his fine work and that of the police department. <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />