Good Life

When Mayor Fuhriman asked me to be Police Chief five years ago, I told him I’d commit for three to five years. Rebecca and I knew that when we became empty nesters, we’d be moving onto the next phase of life. That time has arrived.

In late January, we’re heading for Brazil to teach English for five months. Then we hope to serve an LDS Mission (I’m betting that her good behavior will make up for my deficiencies).

It’s been a pleasure to serve this tremendous city. We have a remarkable team of men and women willing to strap on a gun and put their lives on the line and we have a superb group of support personnel who make it all possible.

I’ve been blessed with a great career and wonderful children. I’m looking forward to climbing the next mountain with my best friend.

Life is good.

Good Photo, Bad Photo

If you’re in the security business or buy security cameras, make the cameras useful. Check out these photos from two different business thefts reported to us yesterday and tell me which one will likely yield results.

The woman above is suspected of taking sterling silver jewelry from Shopko and will almost certainly be identified. Identifying the male suspects below from the other business theft will be much more difficult.

FBI Releases Crime Rate Stats

The FBI finally released the crime data for 2011. The charts show the 5-year trend for the FBI defined definitions of Violent Crime and Property Crime. Violent Crime includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property Crime includes burglary, theft, and auto theft.

I’m especially pleased that violent crime is trending downward even faster than other cities our size. Preliminary numbers for this year show an uptick in simple assaults. Most other crimes seem to be maintaining the same downward trend.

Who Is That Guy?

Okay, so take a close look at the person on the left in the last blog post all spiffed up wearing a jacket and tie. That would be Mike O'Bleness, CEO of Development Workshop. Now take a look at the guy holding the rope in this post. Yes, that's an earlier version of Mike with Rebecca and I on the right.

I think I've aged more than him. What do you think?

CWP Honored

By Joelyn Hansen

Congratulations CWP!!!

Yesterday, the Development Workshop, Inc., honored the Idaho Falls Citizen’s Watch Patrol with the “Mae Tomblison Distinguished Service” award.
The award is presented to organizations that have provided outstanding service, contributions and enhancements to the lives of persons with disabilities. The Citizen’s Watch Patrol has annually assisted with traffic control during the DWI’s Scenic River Classic in June.

It's good to have such a great organization recognize our volunteers!!

Tough Enough

Pictured after completing the Tough Mudder on Oct. 13th in Utah are IFPD Officer Paul Murray and his wife, Heidi; IFPD Officer Bart Whiting (tallest one in the center) andIFPD IT Oliver Lewis (the guy on the right).

By Joelyn Hansen

Anyone interested in swimming through ice-cold water, belly crawling through 10,000 volts of electricity and then traversing through mud up to your chest?

Honestly, the idea of running, crawling or even dragging my body through mud while being shocked isn't exactly my idea of a good time. I probably would never have survived a Tough Mudder which is probably why I really thought these four (Heidi and Paul Murray, Bart Whiting and Oliver Lewis) were nuts.

When they started talking about it months ago, I imagined them coming home in body bags and asked them if they had good life insurance polices. I realize that this was obviously worse-case scenerio thinking on my part. But, seriously, who does this kind of stuff?!

These four did and I must admit I'm proud of them. I'm also proud that they were "tough" enough to share embarassing video footage and pictures of them completing the various obstacle courses. I wouldn't even do that especially when it could end up on this blog!

It's also good to mention that this event raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

I do have to ask: Is it cruel that I laughed each time they went face-first into the mud after being zapped? Nah, that's got to be expected!

Great job Heidi, Paul, Bart and Oliver!

He's Still Here....

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By Joelyn Hansen

I took this photo of the chief this morning just to reassure blog readers he's still alive! I'm sure with all my posts that some of you have been wondering about his whereabouts. He's here at work, he's just been extremely busy lately.

Inspirational Art

Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman and Compass Academy art student and teacher Kendra Handy take a picture in front of their mural they painted to help beautify the city.

By Joelyn Hansen

When Compass Academy Art Teacher Kendra Handy approached me with an idea back in September I'm not fully sure she knew the magnitude of what she was hoping to accomplish.

Students follow the design plan as they begin the mural

Teacher Kendra Handy answers a question from a student

She wanted her art students to take their skills outside the classroom and beautify an area in the city that is prone to graffiti. At the approval of the chief and the parks and recreation superintendent I gave her a space to beautify -- a wall measuring 50-feet wide and 10-feet high.

This tunnel wall along the Greenbelt (near Sportsman's Park and the new Marriott Hotel) has been a magnet for graffiti over the years as evidenced by the multiple layers of paint colors on the walls. Surprisingly, one of the methods of preventing graffiti is to paint a mural where graffiti often occurs. We're attempting the experiment.

I'm crossing my fingers pretty tight that it works because these 52 kids put a lot of time and talent into this project and I must say that I'm impressed with their work. I think you will be too.

Team work was definitely required for this project

As a team, these students designed a mural that contains elements reflective of Idaho Falls and it's sister-city, Tokai-Mura, Japan. Days were spent designing and on Thursday the students spent less than 4 hours executing the final piece of the project -- the actual painting.

These kids really took ownership in this project and didn't waste much time getting it done.

A news reporter from Channel 8 stopped by for a quick story on the project and she probably summed it up best when she said, "It's really inspirational!"

Students draw the Japanese person

A finished portion of the mural reflecting the Japanese culture

A finished portion of the mural reflecting Idaho Falls

Walking to School

By Joelyn Hansen

I thought you might like to see some pictures taken this morning. Sgt. Dave Frei and Officer Mike Cosens had a special assignment today as they headed over to Ethel Boyes Elementary School for International Walk to School Day.

Dave and Mike were on hand to ensure that kids properly and safely crossed the street. I can tell you they handled it pretty well, despite the mass number of children crossing streets at one time.

Despite the sudden drop in temperatures and the brisk wind the kids seemed to enjoy this special event. I, on the otherhand, was ready to get back in my car. It's cold out there! I'm not sure I'm ready for the cold temperatures!!

Helping Another Officer

By Joelyn Hansen

First, I apologize for the picture being so small. Unfortunately there's not a lot I can do about the size.

Anyway, since I've got my disclaimer out of the way, I can get to the point of this post.

The Idaho Chapter of Wives Behind the Badge -- a non-profit group that provides support to law enforcement families -- recently posted on the IFPD Facebook page about an upcoming benefit for an injured Blaine County Deputy.

Sgt. Corey Weatherly suffered a broken neck, along with tissue and nerve damage, when a 20-year-old man fell off a roof and landed on Weatherly in July. Weatherly was working as an off-duty security officer at a festival in Hailey, Idaho.

For the complete story, here's the link.

On Oct. 20th the Wives Behind the Badge is hosting a benefit dinner/auction -- along with other activities -- to help raise money for Weatherly's medical and everyday expenses. For more information on the benefit, visit this link.

Weatherly is working hard for a full recovery and hope that he'll be able to return to work. Until then we're doing what we can to support him and his family.

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