Summer 2026 Shakopee Snapshot

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

As Shakopee grows, keeping you safe remains at the heart of everything we do. I’m proud to share a major

Shakopee Fire Chief Joe Simon

milestone: for the first time in our City’s history, Fire Station 2 is now staffed 24/7 with full-time firefighters. This became possible thanks to a $2.6 million SAFER grant from FEMA, which funded 12 new full-time positions. With continued support from our City Administration and City Council, who approved three additional roles, we’ve added a total of 15 firefighters, captains, and battalion chiefs. This is the largest single staffing increase our department has ever seen. You might be wondering what this does for Shakopee, or for you as a resident. In an emergency, seconds count. Truly, seconds can save lives. Full-time staffing at Station 2 dramatically improves our response times, especially for residents in West Shakopee, making everyone in our city safer. And importantly, every one of our team members is also an EMT, ensuring that high-level lifesaving care reaches your door even faster. Our growth is a direct response to a growing community; our call volume has more than doubled since 2018. The SAFER grant allows us to meet today’s needs while planning responsibly for tomorrow, ensuring this growth doesn’t place an immediate burden on local taxpayers. Since 1883, the Shakopee Fire Department has remained committed to Pride, Honor, Integrity, and Service. With two staffed fire stations, we are better prepared than ever to protect our community. As we move into this new chapter, we are faster, stronger, and safer every day.

Officers Dusty Filan, left, and Alex Godfrey, right, are pictured with Chief Jamie Pearson after receiving Officer of the Year awards. Officers Filan, Godfrey named 2025 Officers of the Year Officer Dusty Filan and Officer Alex Godfrey were presented with 2025 Officer of the Year Awards in April for demonstrating their commitment to the mission and values of the police department and the City of Shakopee. Throughout 2025, Officers Filan and Godfrey demonstrated an unwavering commitment to identifying and disrupting criminal activity that posed immediate threats to public safety. Assigned to the Proactive Policing Unit (PPU), they focused on complex offenses, including violent crime, narcotics trafficking, retail theft, and burglaries. Their efforts were instrumental in locating and apprehending actively wanted individuals, identifying criminal suspects, and addressing emerging crime trends within the community. Beyond their local responsibilities, Officers Filan and Godfrey served as critical regional resources, assisting neighboring law enforcement agencies by reviewing crime alerts and providing inves tigative support when suspects could not be identified. The officers were nominated for the awards by their peers. Their exceptional dedication, pro fessionalism, and proactive approach to public safety exemplifies the highest standards of law enforcement service. Cool down in the spray of a fire truck Two pop-up splash pad events planned for summer

Who hasn’t wanted to play in the water as it rains down from a fire truck? This summer, you’ll have a chance at the City’s two pop-up splash pad events. Join Shakopee Fire and Shakopee Parks and Recreation from 5-7 p.m. July 24 in the south parking lot at the Community Center (1255 Fuller St.) or from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Green Meadows Park (3100 Thrush St.). We’ll have portable splash features con nected to the fire trucks, and kids will also have an opportunity to meet Shakopee fire fighters and check out the fire engines. Bring a towel and lawn chair, and be ready for a splashin’ good time!

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