By Jolene Farley
Beaver Creek, Hills and Steen public officials met with concerned citizens Thursday for a community watch planning meeting.
Council member Carolyn DeBoer explained to more than 20 in attendance that the Beaver Creek City Council began to explore the idea of a community watch program after citizens raised concerns about suspected drug use and manufacturing in their community.
DeBoer introduced Rock County Sheriff-elect Mike Winkels, who started off with a brief explanation of community policing, which will involve more public involvement in law enforcement.
Community policing is more preventative than enforcement orientated and encourages communication between officers and the public.
"Rural Minnesota, for the most part, does community policing," he said.
What is currently missing from law enforcement in Rock County, he said, is informing those who call in suspicious activity to the sheriff’s department what action is taken after their call.
He added a call about suspicious activity at a house isn’t enough to take action, because it’s not illegal to have people coming and going from residences.
Winkels passed around the room confiscated drug paraphernalia and a list of ingredients used to manufacture meth.
He said that drug labs are not always in houses anymore. Dealers are manufacturing meth, about a six-hour process, in fields around Rock County.
Winkels advised residents to get to know their neighbors, particularly the elderly who are more likely to be home during the day.
"Walk the streets, be aware, get to know people in the community, get to know what everyone is doing," he said.
Winkels, D.A.R.E. officer for the Hills-Beaver Creek School district, also warned that alcohol and marijuana are gateway drugs for teenagers.
"I found that alcohol increased, especially among the gals, between the junior and senior years," he said.
Alcohol use tends to increase for boys in their freshman year, according to Winkels.
"Be a responsible parent, and ask where they (your children) are going to be …" he said.
"Don’t be afraid to search your kids’ cars, their rooms," he said.
Winkels discouraged parents from allowing teenagers to carry cell phones, because they’re used to pass the word about parties and other activities.
Meth dealers, he said, are a very close-knit group and very paranoid. Outsiders cannot walk up to them and buy.
"You have to know them, and they have to know you," he said.
Winkels explained the concept of a McGruff House, a community house designated as a safe house for children.
"If a child needs help, it’s a house they can go to when they feel in danger," he said. Adults can also utilize the house if they need help.
The Sheriff’s Department will fingerprint children or perform safety checks on houses if requested, according to Winkels.
A citizen at the meeting asked what the sheriff’s department does when someone calls in about suspicious activity.
"When we hear of activities, we are driving in the area," he said. Calls are listed in internal law enforcement files on individuals, but the identity of the caller is always kept confidential, according to Winkels.
Winkels reiterated that calls from citizens about activity are not enough to obtain a search warrant, according to Winkels.
A survey was distributed to those in attendance asking about interest in the McGruff Program, a senior watch, a community watch program or if the person filling out the survey thought the area had drug problems.
Winkels said he will encourage officers to stop at local elevators and coffee shops to talk with citizens.
"I don’t mind the guys stopping and talking," he said. "You meet people."
Another meeting will be planned for after Christmas.