p1

Speak Out!



 By Joelyn Hansen


 I don't know Miss Teen Idaho Falls Ashley Traughber personally. But, I must say that in my limited interaction with her, I was impressed with her motivation and determination to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect.

Yesterday, in front of a small crowd gathered outside the Bonneville County Courthouse steps, 13-year-old Ashley urged everyone to help stop child abuse and neglect. Speaking from her own experience, Ashley spoke passionately about how people can make a positive difference in the life of a child if they just act.

Ashley's grandparents made a huge difference in her life when they took responsibility of raising her when her mother, a meth addict, couldn't properly care for her.

Ashley should be proud of what's she is doing!

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness month. I hope that we will also heed Ashley's message and stand up for children everywhere. For more information about child abuse and neglect click on this link.




Read more
p1

Worst Case Scenerio










By Joelyn Hansen

Thursday afternoon I walked away from the 3-day exercise tired, dusty and elated that it was over. And I didn't have to do any manual labor! So, imagine what the others involved felt like.

The scenerio for the exericise was definitely worst-case scenerio. It started out as a routine warrant service at a house with police that escalated into finding a a meth lab and explosives to a partially collapsed house with three victims inside needing rescue. It was a great chance for interagency collaboration as the IFPD, Region 6 Hazmat, the Idaho Falls Regional Bomb Squad, Bonneville County Emergency Management, Idaho State Police, Region 3 Idaho Technical Rescue and Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security.

I was the acting public information officer. Or PIO as it's commonly referred.

When it was all said and done, there were a lot of comments about what went well and what needs to be fixed. The good news is that the majority consensus is that most everything went well.

One of the officers involved said he learned a lot. And I must say I learned a lot too. We have a lot of resources available to us in the event a real emergency occurs (let's pray that it we never have to utilize those resouces!). The second piece of good news is that agencies really do work well together when push comes to shove. And the last lesson learned is that we have some men and women with some great expertise.

Read more
p1

Vehicle Burglaries PSA

 
 
 

By Joelyn Hansen

Here's a video (please be kind I'm attempting to learn some video editing software, so it's rough) featuring Chief Mark McBride. His message is geared toward vehicle burglaries.

This video is hopefully the start of many PSA (Public Service Announcements) that will come out of the chief's office.

Please watch and pass along the word!

Read more
p1

Open House








By Joelyn Hansen

Thanks to CW22 (a.k.a. Sherri Barnes) we got some great pictures of our open house on Wednesday. Here are a few of those photos snapped during the evening.

For those able to make it, we appreciate you coming and taking part in the event. It was a lot of fun to show off our department. It was a good turn out and it really showed us that we have good community support.

For the those that missed it, we'll plan one for next year!

Read more
p1

Congratulations!

Officer Brandon Prince at his swearing in on Nov. 1

 
By Joelyn Hansen

Last week, one of our rookies graduated from POST Academy. That's a major accomplishment for police officers because it means their one step closer to being finished with their training.

Not only did he graduate, but he was also recognized with a couple of special awards -- "Sharpshooter" and "Double Fitness Possible".

Congratulations Brandon!

Read more
p1

Officers Honored

Sgt. Dave Frei
Officer Aaron Murdock
Officers Gabe Klepich
Officer Kyle Christopherson
Officer Bart Whiting



Officer Shawn Williams


Officer Lincoln McDonald

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
By Joelyn Hansen
 
 
This post is late. So, I didn't want to let too much more time go by before I failed to acknowledge nine officers that were recognized last week.
 
Officers work hard every day, but on a couple of occasions these nine officers really stepped up their game! Officers Bart Whiting, Lincoln McDonald, Aaron Murdock, Gabe Klepich, Shawn Williams, Jose Hernandez, Sgt. Dave Frei and Lt. Kay Edwards were honored for their efforts during the Bonneville County Fire on Christmas Eve.
 
On Dec. 24, 2012, when officers arrived at the scene of the fire, the halls and stairwells on third and second floors of the 85-year-old building had already begun to fill with smoke making it difficult for tenants to evacuate the building. One officer later described the scene as “chaos”.
Without regard for your own safety, you and your fellow officers played a pivotal role in the evacuation of residents out of the heavy, noxious, smoke-filled building. And then after assisting several people out of the building, you and your fellow officers returned again knocking on apartment doors to ensure no one was left behind.
Officer Kyle Christopherson was honored for his efforts in solving a group of car burglaries back in December. He took great initiative and determination in arresting the burglars responsible for breaking into numerous cars in the Carriage Gate Lane neighborhood back in December. Officer Christopherson used good police work in locating and arresting the burglars.
Here is a list of their awards:
v  Police Medal – Bart Whiting for carrying several people downstairs during the fire;
v  Life Saving Award – Jose Hernandez for assisting in the rescue of a 400 lb. person who was not able to walk on their own;
v  Life Saving Award – Officer Shawn Williams for assisting in the rescue of a 400 lb. person who was not able to walk on their own;
v  Commanders Commendation – Lieutenant Kay Edwards for assisting in the evacuation of residents of the Bonneville Hotel;
v  Commanders Commendation – Sergeant Dave Frei for assisting in the evacuation of residents of the Bonneville Hotel while off-duty;
v  Commanders Commendation – Officer Gabe Klepich for assisting in the evacuation of residents of the Bonneville Hotel while off-duty;
v  Commanders Commendation – Detective Lincoln McDonald for assisting in the evacuation of residents of the Bonneville Hotel while off-duty;
v  Commanders Commendation – Officer Aaron Murdock for assisting in the evacuation of residents of the Bonneville Hotel;
And, Captains Commendation – Officer Kyle Christopherson for apprehending the suspects in a string of vehicle burglaries in December 2012.


Read more
p1

IFPD Participates in Campaign Targeting Impaired Driving

 


By Joelyn Hansen

Thanks to KPVI last night we are getting the word out to people that we'll be stepping up patrols this weekend! With Sunday being St. Patrick's Day, we'll be focusing on DUIs. So please remember, if you're planning to celebrate with the Irish, get a designated driver!

IFPD Participates in Campaign Targeting Impaired Driving


For a safer St. Patrick’s Day, Bechen offers a few simple reminders:

- If alcohol will be consumed, designate a sober driver before going and give that person the car keys.

- If impaired, call a taxi, sober friend or family member to get home safely.

- Use available sober-rides programs.

- Promptly report drunk drivers to law enforcement.

- Wear your seat belt while in your car or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle. These are the best defenses against an impaired driver.

- If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take his or her keys and help make other safe-travel arrangements.

Read more