Spring 2022 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

New ordinance targets catalytic converter thefts

CHIEF’S NOTES

Catalytic converters thefts have plagued the metro area in recent years, and Shakopee has been no exception In 2021, Shakopee police took 96 reports of catalytic converter thefts, according to Police Chief Jeff Tate But there is relief in site with a newly adopted ordinance As a proactive step to protect local residents and businesses from these thefts, the Shakopee City Council adopted an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to possess a detached catalytic converted in Shakopee unless it was recently purchased or the owner can prove they own the car from which it came “The cost to victims is extremely expensive, especially since many thefts involve larger trucks and vans in our industrial park,”Tate said “More than $100,000 in damages have been claimed in 2021 alone These are extremely frustrating crimes, because when someone is caught with a detached converter, it's almost impossible to prove what vehicle it came from” Shakopee’s Police Department has held several successful events to build awareness among

Fire Department Saves Life Using Donated LUCAS Device Shakopee residents and businesses

Shakopee Fire Chief Rick Coleman

have always been huge supporters of the Fire Department and we can’t thank you enough! Recently, the Shakopee Fire Department Relief Association started fundraising efforts toward the purchase of a $20,000 LUCAS device community, and enough funds were generated within a short few months A LUCAS device is used for patients requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) It’s a battery-operated chest compression system that improves the quality of chest compressions and is able to sustain life-saving circulation during prolonged resuscitation attempts Without it, firefighters performing chest compressions must rotate at least every two minutes and are prone to fatigue, reducing the quality of compressions and overall patient care The donated LUCAS device has only been in service for a few short weeks, but it’s already been used two times by firefighters and has been attributed to helping save the life of a patient that was in cardiac arrest It’s because of you, the residents and businesses of Shakopee, that this was made possible We appreciate your continued support! If you need any assistance with fire or life safety, please reach out to us at the Fire Department by email to firesafety@ ShakopeeMN.gov or by phone at 952-233-9570 The fundraising request received overwhelming support from the

the public, during which the city etches and spray paints converters for the public as a theft deterrent While this has been well received and all events have booked up quickly, these thefts continue to occur, and victims are being left to pick up the tab Tate likened the new ordinance to traffic stops during which drivers must show license, registration and proof of insurance “I look at this a lot like when we stop somebody and ask for proof of insurance; you’re required by law to have proof of insurance when asked,”Tate said The ordinance does not prohibit someone who has a vehicle that no longer runs from taking their converter

"The cost to victims is extremely expensive, especially since many thefts involve larger trucks and vans in our industrial park."

Jeff Tate Police Chief

off and selling it The purpose of this ordinance is to address those traffic stops where an offi cer stops a suspected thief, and there are multiple converters in the vehicle People who are operating a legitimate recycling business will not be impacted

An officer etches a vehicle's license plate number on its catalytic converter to deter would-be thieves from stealing it

Summer 2021 13 Spring 2