Spring 2022 Hometown Messenger

PUBLIC SAFETY

Droves of diapers The Shakopee Police Department is proud to announce their annual dia per drive brought in 32,599 diapers and 21,704 wipes that were donated to Shakopee Community Assistance to support local families in need The annual diaper drive is held in honor of the department’s crime prevention specialist, Janna Wood, who died five years ago at age 28 while 13 weeks pregnant “She was our first civilian crime prevention specialist, full of life, and did moreservingour community ina fewshort years thansomedo indecades,” Police Chief JeffTate said “Janna had tremendous courage andwas never afraid to challenge our way of thinking in the police department” Tate remembers a time that Wood was upset during the Shop with a Cop event, because so many children were more concerned with buying winter gear to keep warm than with shopping for toys or

games That’s how the Shakopee Police Department’s annual winter coat drive was born “That coat drive continues to be an enormous success,” said Tate “That’s just the person she was, and this past year we had more coats than we knew what to do with!” The department thanks the commu nity for their generosity and for mak ing a positive difference for so many babies and toddlers “Janna would be so proud,”Tate said

"[Janna] was our first civilian crime prevention specialist, full of life, and did more serving our community in a few short years than some do in decades."

Jeff Tate Police Chief

Victim and Community Services Coordinator Barb Hedstrom stands inside the trailer filled with more than 53,000 donated diapers and wipes combined

Long-time firefighter hangs up the hose

After fighting fires in Shakopee for 24 years, Firefighter Bob Gieseke retired from the department this winter City Administrator Bill Reynolds presented Gieseke with a Spot Award to recognize his dedication to the community Gieseke will continue to work as a maintenance operator for the Public Works Department During his tenure on the fire department, Gieseke served as Captain, Head Engineer, and Firefighter According to Fire Chief Rick Coleman, Gieseke has been a leader in everything he does, always participating in extra duties such as public education and additional trainings that were offered "You can’t ask for a better firefighter," Cole man said "Bob’s always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done He’s always been and continues to be a role model of integrity and personal accountability Bob is very well-deserving of this Spot Award"

City Administrator Bill Reynolds, middle right, presents retiring firefighter Bob Gieseke, middle left, with a Spot Award to recognize his dedication to Shakopee

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