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. Farniok 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. Farniok 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,58 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 ineth,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 Deparhnent 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. Famiok 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 Departrnent.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 />