Fall 2023 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

CHIEF’S NOTES

Safety tips for devices with lithium-ion batteries What are lithium-ion batteries, and why should you care about them? Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, unlike alkaline batteries, and also have a higher energy density They are commonly used in portable electronic devices or products like electric cars and e-bikes Chances are you are using lithium-ion batteries in some of your existing items at home Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective and can overheat, catch fire or explode BE SMART IF USING ANY DEVICES POWERED BY LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: ■ When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories Mark or equivalent testing facility mark These marks show that the product has been safety tested ■ Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage ■ Only charge batteries long enough to give them a full charge Never leave them charging for extended periods of time ■ Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed or on a couch ■ Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device After-market cords and power adapters can damage batteries, causing them to fail ■ Keep batteries/devices at room temperature Do not place in direct sunlight ■ Store batteries away from anything flammable ■ If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises from a device, discontinue use immediately If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 9-1-1 BATTERY DISPOSAL: ■ Putting lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling at home is illegal

Hopefully you’ve seen or heard the incredible safety numbers from 2022, which showed Shakopee at an

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate

all-time low crime rate If you watch the news or read headlines, you know that violent crime grabs the headlines and can impact one’s perception overall That said, it’s important to focus locally and remember how safe Shakopee is and has been over the years We just reviewed our crime numbers for the first six months of 2023 We always compare them with where we were the previous six months, and I am pleased to report that we are still trending in a downward direction when it comes to reported crimes— specifically, our most serious crimes I firmly believe this city’s commitment to community policing is at the core of these numbers Please keep this information in mind when hearing about serious crime issues Yes, there are very serious issues out there, particularly involving crimes of violence, but Shakopee is fortunate to be a city where big news crime is rare I frequently get asked questions about why there is so much crime, and I welcome this opportunity to correct the record People are often surprised to learn our crime rate and how it compares historically Another question I frequently get is whether we are short staffed The shortage of officers is another topic that’s certainly been in the news recently If you follow us on social media, you’ve probably noticed a lot of retirements and announcements of new hires We have been busy the last 18 months knowing we were going to face a retirement bubble on top of normal attrition We’ve been able to keep up with departures with excellent candidates for all our positions Officers and officer candidates have a lot of options right now Some of the factors that have attracted people to Shakopee are the tremendous community and political support we enjoy here There are so many things to talk about with Shakopee being a vibrant, growing community but please know how important your support is for our department It is essential to a successful future and something we hold sacred

■ Recycle batteries by taking them to a battery recycling location ■ Individually bag batteries or tape ends before disposing of them

Some local businesses will accept used batteries You can also check out the Scott County Waste Navigator: https://gis.co.scott.mn.us/wastenav/ This resource can help you recycle or dispose of many different items For additional information, contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570

Night to Unite brings community together Shakopee’s Annual Night to Unite celebration was a success yet again this year Shakopee police officers and firefighters visited more

than 75 parties Thanks to our residents, we collected 834 pounds of food to be donated to the CAP Agency!

Thank you to all who participated. We can’t wait for next year!

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