Police Reports for March 2021

Traffic Contacts: 293
Parking Contacts: 22
Vehicle Inspections: 18
Vehicle Unlocks: 22
Crash Investigations: 10
Public Assists: 229
Assist other Agency: 120
Crimes Against Persons Report: 11
Crimes Against Property Report: 13
Other Reports: 36
Arrests: 23
Warrants: 6
Alcohol/Narcotics Charges: 14
Crimes Against Persons Charges: 2
Crimes Against Property Charges: 1
Other Charges: 14
Animal Calls: 49
Total Calls for Service: 1778
* Total Calls for Service for the year: 4,799

Training:

• Members attended monthly training for canine, SERT, bomb squad, tactical team, and dive team. (56 hours)
• Two officers attended the week-long Field Training officer program so they can help train new officers (80 hours).
• Seven officers participated in an online weather spotting training (14 hours)
• All officers attended the online course for Recognizing and Managing Abnormal Breathing to prevent in custody deaths (23 hours).
• Officer Monroe completed her Field Training Program and was assigned to solo patrol.
• The Chief attended two days of leadership training for Magnus Leaders in Davenport (16 hours)

Public Relations:

• Assisted Cedar County Sheriff’s office with an operation quick find for a missing juvenile believed to be our area. The juvenile was located.
• Sent out a publication to alert the public of a new scam. This one is from an “attorney” looking for a family member with the same last name to file claims made on a subject death to split any inheritance money.
• Two officers were reqested for Honor Guard Duties with the Metro Honor Guard team for the Funeral Correctional Officer Robert McFarland in Cedar Rapids.

Equipment:

• We are purchasing a radar and in-car camera through the GTSB grant for traffic enforcement. We purchase the equipment up front and then we are reimbursed.
• We applied again for the GTSB grant opportunity for next fiscal year.
• We replaced the kevlar leather gloves with Kevlar Animal Bite gloves in the patrol cars to prevent officers being bitten from cats during the transport and transfer to the larger cages.

Enforcement/Crime:

• We have seen an increase in scam calls which is not uncommon during this time of the year. The most common ones we have been seeing involve the IRS or the Social Security office saying there is a warrant out for your arrest. Remember, never give out your information to anyone. If the caller asks you to obtain gift cards in order to avoid prosecution, it is a scam. Also, if you have been notified that you have won a prize and/or money that you did not sign up for, it is also a scam. If you have questions about a call, letter, or email you have received, do not hesitate to contact us.
• The department has taken a few calls concerning individuals finding out someone has used their information to file unemployment benefits, or have taken a loan out in their name. If this happens to you, call (319) 356-6800 to speak with an officer.
• We want to remind the public to be proactive when it comes to items being taken from vehicles. While we have not seen an increase in this activity, prior years have shown a correlation between warmer weather and increased thefts from unlocked vehicles. Make sure your car doors are locked and bring in or keep all valuables out of sight.
• The court house has opened back up and officers are now attending simple msdeameanor trails.

Department Admin:

• Working with JCSO and CVPD on a partnership to seek a grant for funding for a Law Enforcement Mental Health provider that we can share between the three agencies.
• Our intern completed her required hours for her program through Mount Mercy.
• The year-end power point was reviewed and completed for 2020. We added race, age, sex, complaint, and use of force data to the document.
• A new intern from the US Air Force has cleared the interview and background stage and will start in April.
• The Chief at the request of Iowa C.O.P.S to the Iowa Police Chief’s Association (and the Line of Duty Response team unified command) requested the assistance for funeral planning for the Department of Corrections Employees line of duty death from Anamosa State Correctional Penitentiary.
• The Chief attended the Iowa Academy Council Meeting, weekly legislative initiatives meetings, our supervisor meeting, and the monthly Chief’s meeting.
• Work is still being completed on the new PD. They are installing the outside awnings around the doors., metal frames in the sally port, and will start back on landscaping needs around the building.