April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Throughout the month of April we will have extra patrols on the road enforcing distracted driving. We have placed some slogans on our message board in front of city hall for some special reminders. Please don’t text and drive. In 2021, distracted driving killed over 3,500 people.
Follow these safety tips:
- Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
- Designate your passenger as your designated texter to respond to calls or message
- Do not scroll through apps while driving.
- Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
New Medical Response in St. Anthony Village
Historically in St. Anthony, when you call 911 for a medical emergency, you will get a Fire Department response. Firefighters provide medical care with our extensive training and equipment until an ambulance arrives on the scene to take over patient care and transport to the hospital. In February last year, the St. Anthony Fire Department partnered with Hennepin County Medical Center to develop an Advanced Life Support (ALS) program. This program provides St. Anthony Fire Department Paramedics with the ability to fill a response time gap caused by staffing and a heavy increase in call volume.
NEW PROGRAM SAVES CRITICAL TIME
We have already seen great success with this program as there have been many critical calls where the fire department has been able to evaluate the issue, start an IV, give medications, and prepare the patient to be transported to the hospital; tasks that typically were done by the incoming ambulance. This saves valuable time and increases a positive outcome for our patients. This past year the St. Anthony Fire Department ran over 1,839 calls (our busiest year on record!). Of those calls, approximately 629 were deemed to need the Advanced Life Support level of care. This continues our goal to provide the best care we can to our community.
Grant Provides Life-Saving Heart Monitor
We also received a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation to purchase a heart monitor. This extremely valuable tool allows us the ability to take a 12-lead ECG of the heart. Additionally, we were given variances to start IVs, administer various medications, and provide critical life-saving procedures. For example, if someone calls 911 because they are having chest pain, this monitor helps provide a picture of the heart, and can help rule out or confirm a cardiac event. The paramedic on shift can then start an IV and give medication and fluids per the new program.
Partnership in Action - City of Robbinsdale Donation
A Big thank you to the City of Robbinsdale Police Department for donating two of their old tablets to us! This past year the Fire Department transitioned to all electronic charting and these tablets will help immensely as we document our calls. RPD had purchased new laptops and were happy that their used equipment could help our department.
St. Anthony Village Announces New Police Chief - Jeff Spiess
The City of St. Anthony Village has announced the appointment of Jeff Spiess as the new St. Anthony Police Chief. Chief Spiess, a 25-year member of the department, replaces Jon Mangseth who retired in January after 29 years of service.
The new St. Anthony Police Chief is a familiar face to community members as an officer with the department since 1998. During his time as an officer and Sergeant, he served as a DARE Officer, a Community Engagement Officer, and as a Drug Recognition Expert. Following his promotion to Captain in 2016, he was responsible for day-to-day-operations and supervised the Investigative Team.
“We are confident that Chief Spiess will provide a seamless transition for the department and for the City,” says Charlie Yunker, St. Anthony City Manager. “The Chief has strengthened the department with numerous innovations and achievements throughout his tenure.” Among his many accomplishments, Spiess led the initiative for grant funding from the U.S. Dept. of Justice to assist in the purchase of Body Worn Cameras and the implementation of that program. He also introduced mentorship programs that pair veteran officers with new officers to assist with the adjustment to life as a St. Anthony police officer. Most recently, Chief Spiess and his staff launched a Cadet program and formed a Recruitment Team as part of a forward-looking effort to staff the department for the future.
Spiess is a graduate of the Police Staff and Command program through Northwestern University Center for Public Safety (2023), and holds a M.A. in Organization Leadership, Bethel University (2014), and a B.S. in Law Enforcement, Metropolitan State University (2011).
St. Anthony Police Department Promotions
Mike Huddle Promoted to Police Captain
Captain Huddle joined the department in 1999 and has served in a variety of capacities. He was a Community Engagement Officer, and a 15-year member of the SWAT team among several other roles. He has received numerous honors including the St. Anthony PD Medal of Honor Award, the MN Chiefs of Police Medal of Honor Award, the MPPOA Police Officer of the Year Honorable Mention, and the Tactical Officer of the Year Award. Most recently he has led the department’s Community Engagement Team. Congratulations Captain Huddle!
Brandon Hess promoted to Patrol Sergeant
Sergeant Hess began his career with the department in 2016 and served as a volunteer reserve officer prior to that. During his tenure, he has served as a patrol officer, as a liaison to the Reserve program, is a member of our Recruitment team, and is a Field Training Officer. Officer Hess distinguished himself early in his career using mature, sound judgment, and demonstrating experience beyond his years of service. In addition, he has shown his commitment to the department while building strong relationships. He has garnered respect and support from his peers, and has shown a dedication to continuous learning. Congratulations Sergeant Hess!
St. Anthony Village Exploring Police Partnership with City of Falcon Heights
The City of St. Anthony Village is exploring the potential of providing police services to the City of Falcon Heights starting in January 2025.
St. Anthony Village currently provides contract policing services to the City of Lauderdale and previously provided contract law enforcement services to Falcon Heights from 1994 through 2017. That contract was terminated following the shooting death of Philando Castile by a SAPD officer in July 2016. Falcon Heights has contracted with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office since January 2018 with that contract set to expire at the end of 2024. Falcon Heights is seeking a long-term partnership for its policing services beginning in 2025 and believes the St. Anthony Police Department is a good fit for several reasons: level of service, physical proximity, logistics, financial considerations, and – most importantly – the clear commitment the SAPD has to practices that align with the values of Falcon Heights residents.
The SAPD is currently authorized for 20 sworn officers, increasing to 22 on July 1, 2024. If the partnership moves forward, St. Anthony Village will add additional positions to support the expanded area while maintaining the high level of service the St. Anthony Village and Lauderdale communities currently receive.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
The Falcon Heights and St. Anthony Village City Councils met in a joint workshop Feb. 8 for an initial discussion about a potential police services partnership. No formal action was taken during the workshop. Council members from both cities expressed initial interest in beginning a multi-phase process to explore a renewed partnership.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Council members agreed that the first phase of the decision-making process will focus on community engagement throughout the month of March, expressing the importance of gathering and listening to feedback, questions and concerns from residents, City staff, SAPD officers, and other stakeholders.
JOINT TOWN HALL SCHEDULED
The City Councils for both communities have scheduled a Joint Town Hall for residents and community members to ask questions, and share their feedback and concerns.
Joint Town Hall: Wednesday, April 17, 6:30pm, Falcon Heights City Hall, 2077 Larpenteur Ave W., Falcon Heights, MN 55113
Joint Town Hall: Thursday, April 18, 6:30pm, St. Anthony Village City Council Chambers
TAKE OUR COMMUNITY SURVEY
St. Anthony Village has developed a brief survey for community members to provide thoughts on the potential partnership. If you have concerns or feedback, we ask you to complete this survey by April 12, 2024. LINK TO SURVEY