The original item was published from December 30, 2024 7:49 AM to December 31, 2024 7:33 AM
PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS
ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE AND FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCILS COMMIT TO NEW POLICE PARTNERSHIP
The St. Anthony Village and Falcon Heights City Councils voted to move forward with a contract to renew a police services partnership between the two cities.
Contract Details
Beginning March 1, 2025, the St. Anthony Police Department will provide 24/7 emergency response within Falcon Heights. The department plans a phased increase in daily patrols within city limits as additional officers become available. Patrol hours will ramp up as staffing permits, with 24-hour patrols expected by January 2027. SAPD will hire nine additional staff members. The cost of these new positions will be covered through contract fees paid by Falcon Heights and will not result in a levy increase to St. Anthony Village property owners, though the increased SAPD capacity will benefit both the St. Anthony Village and Lauderdale communities.
Prioritizing Communication & Alignment
The new partnership includes a commitment to prioritize communication between the three City Councils to ensure stability and ongoing alignment on contract management, service expectations and shared risk. A Joint Operations Committee consisting of City leaders and SAPD command staff will meet quarterly.
RECRUITING STRATEGIES BUILD RESILIENCY IN ST. ANTHONY POLICE DEPARTMENT
The St. Anthony Police Department has deployed several significant strategies in recruiting new officers to keep the department a healthy, positive work culture, and provide a resilient, sustainable police force. The City has implemented signing, referral and retention bonuses that have already shown success in helping to build a strong, diverse department for the future. Recently, the department identified and hired two additional, experienced police officers.
The SAPD Cadet Program allows us to identify and hire potential new officers while they complete their college degree. SAPD helps pay for their education and employ them part-time with the benefit of mentorship and training with our officers. Once their education is complete, we are then able to hire them as full-time, licensed police officers. This year, our Cadet program will expand from two to six cadets to provide the department with a long-term reserve of aspiring and potential St. Anthony police officers.
ICPOET, Minnesota’s Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training Program, provides funding grants to police departments to identify and train potential police officers who are transitioning from another career field. Candidates in this program will receive their law enforcement education paid by state money including salary, tuition and other expenses. SAPD has awarding funding for one candidate, who begins school in February.
Our nationally recognized police department is committed to building public trust, with a high quality of police service, and to providing opportunities for our officers to grow their skills and develop professionally.
WINTER WEATHER SAFE DRIVING TIPS
Contributed by Sgt. Jim South
Well, the weather outside may soon be frightful, and the roads won’t be delightful, so if you have some place to go, take it slow, take it slow, take it slow!! It is that time of year again, and we all need to remember that not only do we need to drive more carefully, but we also need to take precautions to help keep us safe on the roads and be ready in case of emergencies.
1. Clear Your Windows
Prior to getting out on the road we need to remember that it is State Law to clean all of the windows of your vehicle clear of ice, snow and frost. This is for everyone’s safety. When warming up your vehicle it is advised to be in your vehicle while warming it up unless your vehicle has a remote starter option. Warming up our vehicles in our driveway or letting them run while running a quick errand at the store is a perfect opportunity for thieves to take advantage of us.
2. Slow Down When It’s Snowy or Icy
As we have all heard on local media stations and in our driving classes we need to remember to Slow Down when the roads are snowy or icy. Even if your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive, it does not help your vehicle stop in slippery conditions. Leave extra space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. If you are involved in an accident on the freeway try to remain in your vehicle especially if roads are slippery. Getting out of your vehicle could be more dangerous than remaining inside. Wait for a law enforcement officer or a highway helper to arrive and assist you.
3. Winter Survival Kit
Be sure to stock your vehicle with a winter survival kit. Families take many road trips over the Holiday season and we want to make sure we are prepared in case severe weather causes our vehicle to be stranded. Make sure to have blankets, water, snacks, flares, cell phone chargers and hats and mittens.
- Put a small shovel and bags of sand or salt in your trunk to assist in case your vehicle may get stuck.
- Also make sure to keep your gas tanks with at least a quarter tank. This is not because the gas will freeze but to keep your vehicle running to stay warm while waiting for help in case the vehicle becomes stranded.
4. Reduce Stress.
For some, this is their most favorite time of the year and for others it is the most stressful. Let’s all work together to make it manageable for everyone. Please remember to leave distance behind snowplows and remove our cars from the streets after 2 inches of snowfall so we can all benefit from the wonderful job Public Works does in clearing our roads. Have a wonderful winter season and please drive safe!
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A FIREFIGHTER IN ST. ANTHONY?
Contributed by Deputy Fire Chief Mattie Jaros
The St. Anthony Fire Department is staffed with a combination model, meaning we have both full-time
and part-time firefighters. Our full-time staff includes a Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and 6 firefighters that work 24-hour shifts. These firefighters are paired into 3 shifts (2 per shift). We also have 20-25 part-time firefighters. If a firefighter takes time off, the shift is filled with a part-time firefighter. There is an old saying that “fire doesn’t know the difference between full-time and part-time” which is why we train all of our part-time firefighters to the standard of a full-time firefighter.
HIRING REQUIREMENTS
Before a firefighter can be hired on to start training, they must meet minimum requirements – be 18 years of age, possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license, have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, and be within a 12-minute drive time from our fire station. If they meet these requirements, they are eligible to apply for employment. 1
OUR HIRING PROCESS
For the hiring process, applicants are sent through a panel interview with current members as well as a written test. They must meet a minimum score with both these combined to move forward. The next requirement is a physical assessment, background check, and psychological written test and interview. If an applicant passes all requirements, they are given an offer to begin training and are labeled as a “rookie” on the fire department roster. Although there are many dynamics surrounding each step, Our Hiring Info page has an overview of the path a “rookie” takes before becoming sworn-in as a St. Anthony Firefighter. The Training Schedule typically takes around a year to complete.
Fun Fact:
During training, Rookies are given red shirts and yellow helmets for safety. This allows up to make sure that we space them out with experienced firefighters both in training and on the fireground. Once sworn in – they trade their yellow helmets for a black one.
GETTING STARTED
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a St. Anthony firefighter, please reach out to us.
Call the Fire Station: 612-782-3400; or email: mattie.jaros@savmn.com
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
ADOPT A FIRE HYDRANT
Help keep your neighborhood fire hydrant clear of snow and help our firefighters in an emergency. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our community safe.
STAFF UPDATES
Welcome Eli Schiro to the St. Anthony Police Department
Eli started at the end of July and is just finishing his Field Training. Eli graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from North Hennepin Community College. He was a Reserve Officer with the Minnesota State Fair Police Department and was a Security Officer with Fairline Security prior to becoming a licensed police officer.
CONNECT WITH US!
Facebook: @St. Anthony Police
Instagram: @stanthonypolice
Facebook: @St. Anthony Village Fire Department
Instagram: @stanthonyfire