04-14-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 14, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 30 (5. ORONO POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT, Continued) The police department also responded to 875 medicals, 223 welfare check fraud investigations, and 123 lockouts. Farniok stated the police department also awarded two life-saving awards to two police officers who rendered first-aid to two different individuals. Farniok stated as it relates to the West Metro Drug Task Force, 83 search warrants were served, which resulted in 19 arrests and 19 handguns being seized. The Drug Task Force seized 20,738 grams of marijuana and dismantled five grow operations. The amount of methamphetamines seized was 183 grams. Farniok noted so far this year the Drug Task Force has already seized 10 pounds, which is a significant increase. Farniok stated they are also seeing an increase in the use of prescription drugs by teenagers. Overall, the Drug Task Force seized 1.7 million grams of drugs last year. Farniok stated the Drug Task Force has already seized that amount so far in 2014. The total amount of drugs seized off the street last year amounted to $1.7 million. Farniok stated the area is seeing an increase in the use of methamphetamines, heroin, and large batches of marijuana. Farniok noted the police department is looking to expand its education component in 2014, by exploring the possibility of opening up a Facebook page and a Twitter account to help provide crime alerts to more residents in a timely manner. Levang asked as it relates to the traffic crashes, whether the police department feels there are different sections of roadways that are more dangerous than others. Farniok stated overall the crashes relate to driver activity or weather and not to the layout or design of the roads. Farniok stated if the police department does notice something on a roadway that may contribute to a crash, such as the wrong placement of a sign; they work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to resolve that issue. McMillan asked if the police department is seeing an increase in the number of distracted drivers in the area. Farniok indicated they are, but that it is difficult to issue a ticket for texting or navigation because the officer has to actually observe the person doing that. Farniok stated currently the police department is attempting to address that through education but that it is likely in a few years the laws may change and become stricter involving the use of cell phones in a car. Bremer stated she would like to thank Police Chief Farniok for his excellent work. Bremer noted the Police Commission met last week with the contract cities and that they received a slightly more detailed report on the police activities. Bremer stated in her view the efforts of Police Chief Farniok have helped make the Police Commission a more cohesive and efficient group. McMillan stated in her view the contract cities are happy with the response times and that the police department is doing an excellent job. Levang stated she has heard a number of positive comments from the residents and that Mound residents are happy with the number of police cars patrolling and the increased visibility of the police in their area.