By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

Notes from the Chief…Continued from last week…As I was saying there is more to the bear story. When the news first broke in the local paper, officer’s names were mentioned online but were soon taken out of the article due to backlash from across the country.  

The police department received numerous emails and phone calls saying that the officer should have a jug put on our head and be shot. I also remember complaints from England and Australia. One threat was sent to the city attorney for possible charges, but I don’t believe that it went anywhere.  

The whole bear incident happened so quickly, and efforts to trap or sedate the bear were unsuccessful, euthanizing the bear was the only option.  

As for this year’s Turkey Days, one highlight of mine was up at the fireworks where I was visiting with a local family and a bunch of the kids and grandkids. I was talking with the patriarch of the family and his daughter while entertaining the kids with some banter and cop humor. Grandma was still in the car waiting for the fireworks. I told the grandkids to see how many of them they could fit into the car with her. They all thought that was a grand idea and there must have been 10 or more trying to pile into a Subaru. Visiting with the kids and some joyful banter is what community policing is all about in my book. Have a nice week!

Friday, Aug. 8

10:02 a.m. Assist Human Services with a home visit.

10:29 a.m. Talked with a property owner about large thistles on his property.

1:37 p.m. Party close to town reporting his dog ran off this morning.

4:44 p.m. Assist with a traffic complaint on US Hwy 10.

5:20 p.m. Talk with kids who were jumping off the fishing pier.

9:29 p.m. Report of a disturbance while parties were picking up personal items. Officer was canceled while enroute.

Saturday, Aug. 9

1:13 a.m. Assist with a reported theft in the county.  Officer gave a young adult male a ride to his grandparents house.

1:19 p.m. Assist with a traffic stop on Co Hwy 29 where a male ran from a traffic stop.

2:29 p.m. Party has questions about property and divorce.

4:10 p.m. Report of a dog in a yard that was not theirs. Officer was able to locate owner with the rabies tag on the dog and return it home.

6:28 p.m. Possible sighting of male who ran from the previous traffic stop. Officer helped search the area of the Otter Tail River near State Hwy 34.

Sunday, Aug. 10

4:27 p.m. Officer talked with a landlord about refuse left from a prior tenant. Landlord cleaned up the mess in a very timely manner.

6:24 p.m. Report of a disturbance at the Lions Park. Three males playing frisbee golf had a confrontation with a drunk male. Drunk male was gone by the time officer and deputy arrived. The males denied anything happening and the drunk male never called in to make a report. Called in by a third party.

Monday, Aug. 11

12:43 p.m. Report of possible fraud by an elderly female.  

2:05 p.m. Assist with a medical.

4:24 p.m. Two loose dogs at on Main Ave E. Officer returned them to their home with a warning for dog at large.

9:48 p.m. Traffic stop for no taillights. Driver cited for Driving After Revocation and No Proof of Insurance.

Tuesday, Aug. 12

9:40 a.m. Report of two different dogs loose on Main Ave E. Owner was contacted and was out looking for them. 

3:18 p.m. Complaint about the piano on the sidewalk. Property owner contacted to remove the piano.

5:29 p.m. Assist with suspicious activity on Park Rd.

Wednesday, Aug. 13

11:28 a.m. Question about non-custodial parent picking up a child.

4:29 p.m. Plastic baggie with possible drugs turned into police. Item will be destroyed.

4:49 p.m. Assist couple from Bloomington, Minn. with getting to Wannigan Park and the troll.

7:01 p.m. Assist with a trespass on Park Rd.

Thursday, Aug. 14

1:26 a.m. Assist with an alarm on Park Rd.