July 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 7)
July 2024 Newsletter (Volume 10, Issue 7)
Please click on the title below to view each of the different stories in the newsletter.
Note from Sheriff Torgerson
Looking back the month of June was packed with activities but to that should highlighted are the SE MN Torch Run and the Olmsted County Ambassador Program. The torch run covered 97 miles on a very windy with runners, bikers from law enforcement starting in Hastings (Dakota County) then through, Red Wing (Goodhue County), Lake City (Wabasha County), Zumbrota, Pine Island and ultimately ending in Rochester (Olmsted County). The Torch Run showcase the commitment law enforcement across SE MN has made to support Special Olympics MN and all the athletes who participate in their events and activities each year.
Recently, the Sheriff’s Office hosted Olmsted County employees from across the County’s many service disciplines to letting these employees during the Ambassador Program peek behind the proverbial curtain and discuss our operations in a classroom setting as well as tours of our government Center (LEC) facilities along with the Adult Detention Center. One attendee was heard to say they hadn’t realized the amount of behind the scenes work the Sheriff’s Office is expected to do.
STS Contributes to New County Buildings
Captain Macey Tesmer
For years our Sentence to Serve (STS) crews have been doing work to help the Parks Department as well as other county departments. Most of this work is hard manual labor that would not be considered beautiful. That changed when Oxbow was building their new nature center.
STS crew leader Jeremy Danielson wanted to do something special to contribute to the nature center so he asked if he could build a special table for the employee break room. The table was made of wood and epoxy and was quite the undertaking. This was Jeremy’s first time working with the epoxy and several you tube videos came to his aid, as well as some guidance from Versatile Wood Working. The finished product looked great and took it’s place at the nature center.
Fast forward a couple of months and someone from Public Works saw the table at Oxbow and inquired if STS could do a similar table for a conference room at the new building space at the service center. The table they were looking for needed to be 5’x12’ which was quite a bit bigger than the one for Oxbow. Jeremy again enlisted assistance from Versatile and the final project turned out beautiful.
The Oxbow table was built over a three-month period and included a total of 131 hours to complete. There was 69 staff hours and 62 detainee hours put in to complete the project. The Public Works table project started in March and was just completed. That project took 181 hours, 82 staff hours and 99 detainee hours. Staff and the detainees are very proud of the beautiful tables they created.
ADC Partners with DART Team
Captain Macey Tesmer
The Adult Detention Center has partnered with the DART (Drug and Alcohol Response) team to provide a new program for detainees in the ADC. Monica Ziebell, an LADC and social worker from the DART team, worked on developing a program to provide substance use recovery skills for the detainees.
This group utilizes the evidence-based practice of psychoeducation which aims to reduce stigma; allow participants to be informed about proper care; to provide coping mechanisms; and to increase support.
Some of the topics included in this 8 week program are: Stages of Change, Identifying and Managing Triggers, Growth Rings - Leaning into Discomfort, and more. Monica has adjusted the class based on the needs of the detainees and to provide them with skills that they will need during their recovery period.
Impaired Driving Enforcement
Michelle Ness, Towards Zero Death Coordinator
On August 1st, 2023 marijuana/cannabis recreational use and possession became legal in Minnesota. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office (and many other law enforcement agencies) shared their concerns about how this decision would affect traffic safety. We watched the serious injury crash and fatality rates increase in states that did legalize cannabis. It’s too early to see a bigger trend in Minnesota just yet, but we’re not waiting around to respond.
Our office takes traffic safety, including impaired driving enforcement, very seriously. Deputies make traffic stops while on regular duty or on overtime shifts as part of the MN Towards Zero Death grant to curb dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, using cell phones, not wearing seatbelts and of course driving impaired.
We have seen an increase in impaired driving arrests since the law change. This year (Jan 1st – June 15th) our deputies have already arrested 81 impaired drivers compared to 54 last year in the same time frame. Drug impaired driver arrests accounted for only 4 of the arrests in 2023, however it accounted for 32 in 2024 (this includes 6 arrests that were both alcohol and drug combinations).
It’s been said before and it can’t be said enough – Impairment is impairment. If you feel different, you drive different. Attitudes towards cannabis use has changed and comments have been made that people driving high are not a danger. The worst they will do is “drive slow and wait for a stop sign to turn green.” If someone can’t tell the difference between a traffic light and a sign, is this really someone who is safe to drive on the roadways with your family and friends?
So please consume alcohol and cannabis products responsibly and never drive after drinking or using cannabis or drugs. Plan ahead and find a sober ride or be that sober ride to a friend or family member. If you see an impaired driver on the roads, call 911. Let’s work together to make our county a safe place to drive.
| Year: Jan 1 - June 15 | Arrests | Alcohol Only | Drug Only | Combination Drug and Alcohol | Crash Related |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |
44 |
32 | 11 | 1 | 6 |
|
2022 |
46 | 38 | 2 | 6 | 17 |
|
2023 |
54 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 15 |
|
2024 |
81 | 49 | 26 | 6 | 12 |
Night to Unite 2024
Night to Unite will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024. If you would like the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office or Rochester Police Department to stop by your neighborhood gathering, register your party today. We will do our best to visit all registered gatherings!
Monthly Snapshot: STS Detainee Hours Worked 1st Quarter
Captain Macey Tesmer
STS detainee hours worked 1st quarter
|
2022 |
704 |
|
2023 |
2008 |
|
2024 |
2656 |
Average crew size 1st quarter
| 2022 |
2.32 |
| 2023 |
5.09 |
| 2024 |
6.89 |
Dates of Interest
July 1
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 2
Elmira Township Meeting
High Forest Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
July 3
Salem Township Meeting
Stewartville Summerfest July 3-7
July 4
Dover City Council Meeting
July 8
Cascade Township Meeting
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
July 9
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
July 11
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
July 15
Eyota Days July 15-21
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
July 16
Byron Good Neighbor Days July 17-21
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
July 17
Haverhill Township Meeting
July 22
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fair July 22—28
Viola Township Meeting
July 23
Byron City Council Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
Storm Spotter Training
July 25
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted County Township Association Meeting
July 29
Dover Township Meeting
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Director - ADC
Samantha Reps
Captains
David Adams
Andy Danielson
Macey Tesmer
Chief Deputy - LEC
James Schueller
Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins