Spring-Summer 2019 Hometown Messenger

Anderson named 2018 Officer of the Year NEWS & NOTES

CHIEF’S NOTES

Shakopee Area Catholic School for eight years. "She puts her heart into this program and truly gives the children her all," said Pearson. "Her passion for DARE is evident in the classroom." Exhibit invites parents into the mystery of a teen's life The Shakopee Police Department is bringing the Top Secret Project to Shakopee Thursday, April 5. This interactive exhibit uses a simulated teenager's bedroom to help parents recognize unfamiliar hazards, many of which are often in plain sight. The exhibit uses hundreds of items, which when seen through an education lens, could be a sign there's a problem. The exhibit is accompanied by a presentation and discussion. The free event starts at 6:30 p.m. at Shakopee West Middle School, 200 10th Ave. E.

Firefighters are often asked, “What percentage of your fire calls are fire alarms?” Some people think those calls are not as serious, just routine. The Shakopee Fire Department doesn’t consider fire alarm calls to be routine or less serious than any other call. The fact is, a good percentage of the fire alarm calls we are dispatched to turn out to be emergencies. For example, we were

Officer Cortnie Anderson was selected as the 2018 Shakopee Police Officer of the Year. Anderson is a 11-year veteran of the police department, serving as a role model for the younger officers

Officer Cortnie Anderson

recently dispatched to a fire alarm in an apartment building, a frequent call for us. Upon arrival, the Deputy Fire Chief found smoke coming from one of the units. Firefighters made entry and found a fire on the

on her shift. In 2018, she was a top performer, leading the department with 30 DWI arrests. "Officer Anderson is respected among her partners and looked as a leader," said Sgt. Jamie Pearson. "Her partners have delegated her as a go-to person for DWI questions." In addition, Anderson has taught the department's DARE program at

Shakopee Fire Chief Rick Coleman

stove with no occupants to be found; the tenant had left for work. That “routine” call was very serious and could’ve been deadly in a matter of minutes. On official fire reports, fire alarm calls are referred to as "smoke detector activation – no fire" or "smoke detector activation due to malfunction." They aren’t false alarms. There’s a reason the alarm sounded, and we take it very seriously. In relation to this, I am sometimes asked whether we need to have lights and sirens on for every call. The answer is usually yes but with a couple exceptions. We don’t go red lights and siren to carbon monoxide alarms where the occupants are out of the building and no one is feeling ill. Also, if we have verification from a fire or police officer on scene that there is no emergency, the other responding units can be downgraded to routine, reducing the risk to firefighters, the public and disruption to normal traffic flow. Have a question about fire safety? Contact us at 952-233-9570 or email firesafety@ShakopeeMN.gov. Find additional tips and information on our website at www.ShakopeeMN.com/fire and “like” our Shakopee Fire Department Facebook page.

TAKING THE PLUNGE FOR A VERY SPECIAL CAUSE Thank you to the Shakopee police officers and friends of the department who took the Polar Plunge into a frozen Prior Lake Feb. 16. The group raised $5,473 in support of Special Olympics of Minnesota. The Prior Lake Polar Plunge raised a total of $170,707. Top photo courtesy Scott County Sheriff's Office. Right photo courtesy Erik Wood.

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