Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Crime down nationally and in Winsted



Winsted is enjoying the same decrease in crime that the
nation is, and this explains the drop in some areas in the Winsted Police
Department’s 1998 annual report.

This is according to Police Chief Mike Henrich, who said
that the McLeod County is showing the same decrease.

However, Henrich added the experts are predicting a change
in this trend.

Specific age groups have larger populations. Within those
age groups, there is an assumed percentage that will commit crime. A larger
population in certain age groups will mean a larger possible percentage
of crimes committed.

Overall, Winsted is benefiting from the national downturn.
However, some of the decrease in crime isn’t just because of trend, but
because of work done by the police department.

For instance, bad checks are down considerably from 1997.
The went from a little over 100 in 1997 to less than 60 in 1998.

Henrich said that this is an issue his department has been
concentrating on this past year. He said that the department is aggressive
on bad checks, and even $5-$6 checks have been taken to court.

Some individuals who pass bad checks do this habitually
and Henrich wants to send a message that the city won’t tolerate it.

Pursuing these individuals has also taken cooperation from
the business community in Winsted. Henrich said that it helps when businesses
take information from driver’s licenses with the check so that officers
can collect on the check if needed. Without that information, tracking down
a bounced check might not be possible.

One area where police activity has increased is assists.

The term, explains Henrich, is a little misleading, because
it not only includes assists to other agencies, but also help to the public.

In this area, Henrich said his department is working on
the preventive side of law enforcement.

This includes going to small businesses, schools, or organization
to give talks.

He called it community policing, and said, “For the
most part, a police department is as effective as its citizens allows it
to be. Without people coming and telling us who did what and what’s going
on, we’re inept.”

By reaching out to the citizens, the officers are more
effective because they learn who to talk to in a situation. Also, community
members, such as teens, feel more comfortable talking to the police.

DUIs (driving under the influence) were down in 1998.

Henrich said that the downturn is probably due to more
bars taking responsibility for their patrons. “Plus, people themselves
are taking the time to get a designated driver. Those are good things,”
said Henrich.

Another area that showed a decrease was accidents. Henrich
said this downturn may not be due so much to his department’s policing efforts,
but rather just weather.

Weather may also influence numbers as speeding, where the
report indicated 79 incidents. Henrich said that Linden Avenue has become
notorious for speeding and this simply may be due to the fact that the road
is in such good condition.

The one problem that is up from 1997 is dog complaints.
Henrich smiles with a hint of frustration saying that its part of the city’s
growth.

The complaints range from noise to loose dogs, and Henrich
adds that the city will always have to deal with county dogs – dogs from
outside the city limits that enter town.

Like anything else, Henrich said that there are certain
dogs who cause a majority of the problems. The real fault, however, lies
with the owners who don’t tend to their pets properly.

The report also provides a picture of how the officers
split up their time. A great deal of time is spent on paper work. Henrich
said the department is making more of an effort to document its activities.

In the future, the department will attempt to coordinate
some record keeping with the county, tying into its computer system. This
should hopefully free the officers up for more policing.

Many of the calls that officers go out on are medical.
Henrich notes that maybe three years ago, the area’s departments weren’t
trained in this area, but now each full-time officer has emergency medical
technician (EMT) training. He believes this is great service for the community.

As for the city as a whole, Henrich said, Winsted is still
very much a small town. He does warn that he has seen Winsted grow over
the years and that citizens should be aware of the changes that come with
growth.

He notes that people can’t take such a carefree attitude
with their cars and should lock them, at least at night. He said such measures
are just part of the growing pains of a city.

Henrich also warns consumers to be careful using the Internet
and receiving telemarketing.

Particularly, he sites the Internet as a growing source
of crime and warns people to take the information they receive there carefully.
As for telemarketers, the best way to avoid a scam is to get it in writing.

Henrich said that his favorite part of his work is dealing
with people and helping them.

He also is grateful to officer Gary Schott who put the
annual report together. The report, which has been available since February,
is available upon request.

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