Crime Stoppers
11/29/2008

Crime Stoppers MN has changed it's phone number for the public to call in tips on crime in Minnesota. The new Phone number is 1-800-222-TIPS and is answered 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.  There is also an option to submit tips via the internet.  As before, every tip Crime Stoppers receives gets forwarded to the appropriate Law Enforcement agency.  People providing tips can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000.00 paid by Crime Stoppers for any tip that results in an arrest.

www.crimestoppersmn.org

Isanti, Lakes Area and Wyoming Police Departments cite 85 motorists during July Speed Enforcement Campaign 

Chisago Lakes Area], Minn. — Throughout July  Chisago Lakes Area  law enforcement agencies/Lindstrom, Wyoming and Isanti officers conducted enhanced speed patrols and cited 85 motorists traveling at illegal speeds during a statewide Safe & Sober effort. 

“Every time you get behind the wheel put safety first — travel at the posted speed limit and reduce your risk for a crash,” says Chief Stenson of the Lakes Area Police Department

Speeding is the most commonly reported factor in fatal crashes. Each year in Minnesota, speed contributes to about 150 traffic deaths and 7,000 injuries. In the three-year period 2006–2008 in Minnesota, speed contributed to nearly 400 fatalities statewide — resulting in an economic impact of more than $454 million.

In Chisago County, a typical 10 mph over the limit speeding ticket can cost $ 120.

In July Isanti, Wyoming and Lakes Area police Departments teamed up and worked together on the enforcement wave.

The Safe & Sober effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death initiative (TZD). TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma care and response.

Safety Tips

Internet Safety: Excerpts from an article by Dave Ambers, Chisago County Press

When asked what parents can do to protect their children, all agreed that the most important thing is to educate kids about the dangers. Parents should be open with their kids about the dangers and make the youngsters feel it's okay to tell them when they come across questionable material when accessing the internet.  

According to the officers, when youth are asked why they didn't tell their parents about objectionable, inappropriate or illegal information on the net, they usually say something like, "I was afraid I'd get banned from the internet or get grounded."

Other steps parents can take include the following:
1) Keep the computer in a common area - NEVER let your child have access in their bedrooms.
2) Browse the internet history frequently - find out what sites they've been using.
3) Limit the times of the day that kids can be on the internet.
4) Install some kind of filtering software - filters can be set up to limit hours of use, limit access to age appropriate websites or record everything your child views or hears on the web.
5) Use internet safety websites like NetSmartz.org, SafeKids.com, SafetyEd.org and GetNetWise.org
6) Keep your eyes and ears open to find out when the next internet safety forum will be scheduled - look for a meeting in the fall. You'll be glad you went! 

Home owner safety tip: During summer vacations set light on a light timer, but set the lights in different rooms to come on and go off at different times not all at the same time. Have a trusted neighbor collect the mail.

Trick-or-Treater Pedestrian Safety Tips for Halloween:

• Attach retro-reflective tape, fabric, or decorative patches to costumes and
  trick-or-treat bags.

• Review basic pedestrian safety rules, including where and how to cross streets.
• Teach kids never to dart into the street — one of the most common causes of pedestrian deaths among children.
• Drivers should be particularly alert on Halloween and watch for children crossing streets, alleys and driveways.
• Use face paint or cosmetics instead of a mask.
• Make costumes short enough to prevent tripping.
• Provide flashlights.
• Advise children not to cut across yards where tripping hazards may be obscured by darkness.

Preventing Bicycle Theft: Every year dozens of bikes are stolen in Chisago City and Lindstrom.  Most of them are recovered, yet because of a lack of proper identification, only a small percentage are ever returned to their owners.  Here are some things that you can do to help prevent bike theft and recover your bike if it is stolen.

• Always lock a bike that's left unattended, even for just a minute, even if it's in a fenced yard and especially on a car bike carrier rack.
• Be sure to lock the bike to something stationary, preferably where it can be seen by you and others (in Minneapolis it is illegal to lock bikes to any city sign or parking meter).
• A quality U-lock is the best locking device you can buy.  Avoid locks, chains or cables that can easily be cut, broken or picked.
• Make sure both wheels are locked, either by removing on and U-locking it with the other and the frame or by using an auxiliary lock on one.  You can also purchase devices that replace the cam and the lever on quick-release wheels and seats with a keyed system.
• Remove any components and accessories, including tire pump, seat or bags that can easily be taken.
• If you keep your bike in a garage, make sure that the garage is properly secured.  You can call the Lakes Area Police Department to get more information on garage security.  Lock your bike inside the garage by the same techniques as listed above.
• If someone attempts to rob you of your bike, don't resist.  Your life is more valuable than your bike.
• Register/license your bike.  It costs only $10.00 for three years and can be done at any Minnesota motor vehicle deputy registrar's office.
• Filling out an application will require the following information: bicycle brand name, serial number, wheel size (it's in your manual or on the side of the wheel), frame type (men's, women's, tandem), number of speeds, purchase date, owner's full name, address and date of birth.  Sales receipt or proof purchase is not required, however, it will be noted on the record that no proof of ownership was available at the time of the registration.  If you have any questions about registering/licensing your bike, call Bicycle Registration at 651-296-7051 (Downtown St. Paul) or the Chisago City License Bureau at 651-257-6578.

Additional ways of identifying you bike include:

• Operation Identification (OPID), a 13 digit number assigned to you to mark you valuables and make it easier for police to trace stolen merchandise.  You can obtain an OPID number free from the Lakes Area Police or by calling 652-257-0622.  Put the number on an inconspicuous part of the frame and on accessories with an engraving device.
• Keep a copy of your bicycle's receipt of purchase.
• Record it's make, mode, serial number and any distinguishing features.
• Take a color photo of the bike.
• List the bike on your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy.
• Write your OPID number or name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and put the paper inside the seat post, seat tube or handlebar stem in case all other ID is removed from the bike by a thief.

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NEED A DATE FOR PROM? TAKE A SEAT BELT
Officials Stress Teen Driving Safety During Potentially Deadly Period 

Public safety officials are encouraging parents of teen drivers to stress seat belt use, focus on the task of driving and discuss the consequences of drinking and driving in advance of Graduation and end-of-school-year period. According Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), more than half (56 percent) of teens (ages 16–19) killed during spring in recent years were not belted. DPS also reports teen drinking and driving-related crashes peak April through June.

DPS notes there is a heightened potential for teen crashes during April–June based on the celebratory nature of the season with prom, graduation and end-of-school-year events which can put teens at risk — and risk-taking teens — behind the wheel.

“Safe driving issues, such as lack of belt use, underage drinking and distractions can take a back seat when teen minds are on prom, graduation and summer break,” says Cheri Marti, director of the DPS Office of Traffic Safety. “While it’s an exciting time of year, teens need to take driving seriously.”

During 2005–2007, 149 teen motorists were killed in crashes and nearly 60 percent were unbelted. During this same period in April–June: 25 teens were killed (11 unbelted); 388 teens were involved in alcohol-related crashes (1,366 total); and 2,787 were arrested for DWI (11,000 total). Another 1,901 teens were convicted of “Not-a-Drop” violations in April–June — a penalty for any amount of alcohol detected while driving that results in loss of license for up to 180 days and a $700 fine.

DPS says teen driving safety messages become especially relevant as the state approaches the deadly summer driving months. During 2005–2007 in July–September, 43 teens were killed — 60 percent unbelted. Fatal teen drinking and driving crashes and teen DWI arrests also spike in summer.

DPS encourages parents to take an active role in keeping teens safe behind the wheel:

·        Continue to monitor and train teens in a variety of road conditions and environments.

·        Discuss and reinforce teen driving rules and develop a teen-parent driving contract detailing passenger and nighttime limits, requirements for seat belt use and prohibiting cell phones/texting.

·        Be a positive role model — buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention, drive sober.

·        Educate teens about drinking and driving offenses, and be aware providers of alcohol to minors can face felony charges if the teen is involved in an alcohol-related crash that causes injury or death.