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MINUTES OF THE
<br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING
<br /> Monday,January 25,2021
<br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m.
<br /> 12. HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF UPDATE—Continued
<br /> noted they patrol 104 lakes and 3 rivers in Hennepin County,with Lake Minnetonka being the most
<br /> active, busy, and most political, as well. Their water patrol is one of the largest inland in the United
<br /> States with a large contingent of water craft. He pointed out that any water-related deaths in Hennepin
<br /> County, even if one were to perish in a hot tub,the Hennepin County Sheriffs office is actually
<br /> responsible. He noted people forget that water patrol does not just drive around in boats and give tickets,
<br /> they are investigating as well and is again one of the best in the nation. Sheriff Hutchinson said they are
<br /> in the process of trying to sell some boats to a friend of his who is a Sheriff in Massachusetts; he said
<br /> even they know that Hennepin County's older stuff is better than most agencies. They spent about 470
<br /> hours this year,most of them were through the water patrol on January 1, 2020 through January 1,2021
<br /> they had 41 requests fulfilled by Orono Police Department; 4 different work ups, 16 subject work ups for
<br /> the Orono officer assigned to the West Metro Drug Task Force,and the Northwest Crime Collaborative.
<br /> He noted they have a good relationship with all the cities around the lake and Sheriff Hutchinson thinks
<br /> Orono has always been there for the Sheriffs department when they need them and vice versa. He
<br /> introduced the Lieutenant-now-Captain and noted they have two other sergeants out there;they have 8
<br /> licensed deputies,about 62 volunteer special deputies,and 13 explorers. Sheriff Hutchinson stated they
<br /> have a lot of people and are staffed about 20 hours a day, but of course can respond 24/7 if needed. They
<br /> have 9 boats,4 on Lake Minnetonka,a rescue boat,3 air boats, 8 snowmobiles and the side ski which
<br /> helps recover bodies; he noted they go throughout the whole state using their technology and the skills of
<br /> the Lieutenant and his crew. Since Sheriff Hutchinson has been in office,through the community
<br /> outreach division they are getting more deputy involvement in the community. The Councilmembers
<br /> may have seen them giving ice cream to kids throughout the County,many bike giveaways,and—
<br /> especially now with some of the negative connotations of law enforcement—they are trying to get people
<br /> to realize that they are the good guys, 99%of them do the right thing 99%of the time. Unfortunately,the
<br /> mistakes are what make the media. Mental health is important to the Sheriff and he started the Tri
<br /> Wellness program which is focused on mind,body, and spirit. They are trying to get better gym facilities,
<br /> they have a full-time mental health professional for the agency which is the first in Minnesota,and they
<br /> have chaplains. He shared they are also getting young deputies some financial advice because it all
<br /> causes stress and if they have financial trauma,they have to work more overtime and then get burned out,
<br /> which affects their mental health;working overtime or many hours at a job, people feel the strain, and
<br /> they are human beings. With the Minneapolis unrest that happened in summer of 2020 and the concerns
<br /> coming up with the trial on March 8,2020,he stated the Sheriffs Department supports protests but they
<br /> do not support people breaking their stuff,hurting people, and damaging livelihood in Minneapolis or any
<br /> city within Hennepin County. They will not tolerate it this time, and he knows the last time there was
<br /> some communication with some politicians regarding when to act. He noted they have a metro-wide task
<br /> force now and Minneapolis,Hennepin County, State Patrol, and several others are on this Board so they
<br /> make decisions as a unified command;therefore,there are no politics that play a role if something were to
<br /> happen after the trial. He wants people to know from Orono to Rogers to North side that they are
<br /> organized and this time they will be successful and are not going to let their City burn. He noted he has
<br /> said that multiple times: if you come to Hennepin County,Minneapolis,or Orono and cause problems,
<br /> they have a spot for you in jail. They will do that repeatedly until they maintain some order. Protesters
<br /> are allowed to be peaceful and let their feelings be known,but his office is not going to tolerate what they
<br /> had last summer. He noted they are still recovering from that and they have a good system in place and
<br /> he was just briefed today. With the unified command-they have enough staff and could use a few more
<br /> officers on staff-the City is going to be secure,they will win this time and the people of Orono and all
<br /> communities in Hennepin County should know that they will not play games anymore. He noted he can
<br /> answer questions,concerns,or comments.
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