Posted: 1/31/06
Chief gives summary of police year
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
After a year on the job, Caledonia Police Chief Randy Shefelbine has not run out of things to do.
In a report to the Caledonia City Council on January 23, Shefelbine commented that in 2005, his office received 3,695 initial complaints (ICRs). The complaints ranges from simple nuisances to serious felonies, Shefelbine explained.
By contrast, the Houston County Sheriffís Office handled 2,935 ICRs, which included complaints from the cities of Houston, Hokah, and Spring Grove; and the La Crescent Police Department handled 3,036 complaints in 2005. The time each complaint takes varies from a few minutes to weeks.
According to Shefelbine, the La Crescent Police Department has seven full-time and one part-time officer and one secretary. The Houston County Sheriffís Office has 11 full-time officers, 10 civilians who perform a variety of duties and two secretaries. The Caledonia Police Department has five full-time and two part-time officers and one secretary.
Shefelbine noted that the department wasnít fully staffed for the entire year.
The crimes investigated by the CPD included two armed robberies, seven drug-related cases; 29 assaults, 14 burglaries; one sex crime involving a minor; 24 thefts and one computer crime.
The clearance rate for the Caledonia Police Department for 2005 was 80 percent, said Shefelbine. There are only three felonies that are still unsolved, he noted. The state clearance rate average is 29 percent. He added that the clearance rate for sex crimes in 2005 was 100 percent.
At past meetings, Councilman Gary Klug has questioned the scheduling of officers as well as the use of call time and overtime. Shefelbine addressed those concerns, explaining that he schedules officers when the most calls are expected, typically from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Shefelbine said that he covers most of the daytime hours himself, which doesnít give him the opportunity to do special projects in the schools as he would like. Otherwise, the schedule is working, he said.
ìOur clearance rate wouldnít be up where it is if it wasnít working,î he told the council. ìWe are the best prepared of any department in the county.î
In response to question regarding officers being outside the city limits, Shefelbine said that there are instances where that happens but in general they patrol within the city limits. Officers have assisted the state patrol in saturation projects which takes them out of the city, and they transport prisoners when necessary.
Jail project concerns council
The council reviewed a diagram provided by Mike Gerardy, street supervisor / zoning administrator, which shows the placement of the utilities in the area of the Houston County Courthouse. The county is planning a new law enforcement center and in the the process of purchasing property near the courthouse. The cityís concern is whether the existing utilities would be sufficient to serve the new building should it be built there. Mayor Mike Morey said he has heard from property owners who have concerns about the project.
ìWeíre back out of the loop,î he said. ìIím disappointed but not surprised. I would like us to get together.î Morey added that he would like to see the county look at an off-site location ìjust to have options.î
Other business
In other business, the council noted that the rate for crossing guards at the intersection near the school has increased from $7.50 per hour in 2003 to the current rate of $12.50 per hour. The city pays for half the cost of the crossing guards.
Councilman Paul Fisch inquired whether the city is consulted about pay raises. City clerk/administrator Robert Nelson replied that the city has not been consulted. Fisch suggested that the pay increases be discussed when the cityís agreement with the school comes up for renewal.
For September through December of 2005, crossing guards worked a total of 131 hours at $12.50 per hour. The school district and the city each paid $881.38.
During the same period in 2004, crossing guards worked a total of 313 hours at $8 per hour which cost the city and school district $1,347.78 each.
Contacted later by phone, Superintendent Michael Moriarty explained that the district has experienced problems in recruiting crossing guards. The higher rate is paid when only one guard is on duty because of the increased responsibility. When two guards are on duty, the pay is $8 per hour.
The council also approved a request from the Caledonia Boxing Club to hold its annual St. Patrickís Day fight on March 11. Matt Schellsmidt of the boxing club told the council that there will be an Elvis impersonator and a 50s theme for the event. There will be beer and wine coolers sold, he said.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com