Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott made a presentation to the Northfield City Council on Tuesday night during the Council’s regular meeting regarding the mandated audit of the body worn camera program, which includes the cameras in the police vehicles, that the NPD has had in place since the summer of 2021.
Minnesota Statute requires that every law enforcement body worn camera program in the state be reviewed by an independent agency. The audits are to review each program as to how a department retains data, who has access to that data, and how the data is shared, both among other law-enforcement agencies and with the subjects of the data. They also look at the inventory of the recording system, and how those cameras are issued.
Elliott said using body camera technology makes the work of law enforcement more transparent. The cameras are turned on any time an officer has an investigative call, during traffic stops, during self-initiated stops, and any time a contact becomes adversarial. If there is a difference of opinion between an officer and a person who interacted with the police, then the body cam footage will “provide an independent witness” to explain what happened. He also pointed out that the data collected by body worn cameras, with very few exceptions, is kept private by state and federal law,
The members of the department and the public, as well as the County Attorney’s office have all responded positively to the cameras, he said.
“They’ve been very well received by our officers and by the public. Our County Attorney certainly appreciates them because we provide direct evidence a lot of the time of crimes we’re investigating and they’re able to use that in their prosecution decisions as well as to present to a jury should a case go to trial.”
When the cameras were first put in place the department immediately looked to create a Data Coordinator position, which has paid dividends in other areas as well. Elliott said, because Northfield was one of the last police departments of its size in the state to begin using the devices, they were able to use models from other law enforcement agencies to implement a program like this.
“We came into the program having been, I would say, a little late to the game compared to a lot of municipalities around us. So, we were able to look at some of those other departments to see what. The changes had made as they implemented a program.”
Elliott said the results of the audit, performed by Lynn Lembcke Consulting, found the Northfield Police Department in perfect compliance with all state statutes, and there were no issues raised in the auditor’s report.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
Salvation Army asking has immediate need for bell ringers
The Rice County Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is underway, and the coordinators of the program are seeking volunteers to help raise money for those in need.
As is generally the case at the beginning of the campaign each year, there are plenty of spots available for people to stand with the kettles and ring the bell. However, Thanksgiving week is usually one of the better fundraising times during the campaign each year, and Jim Dale, the Red Kettle Campaign coordinator in Rice County, said the organization is very short on bell ringers in the Northfield area and there is a strong need right now.
According to Salvation Army statistics, the organization has helped 327 Rice County families in 2023, which translates to more than 900 kids, who tend to be a focus of what they do. Dale said the demand for help has increased in 2023, as Covid-19 Pandemic era government programs that offered help with such things as rent and heat have come to an end or have been curtailed. Because of that, he said, just as it was in 2022, their goal for the fundraiser this year is to raise $100,000.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the sole fundraiser the Salvation Army runs each year. The kettles are stationed in their traditional Northfield spots, the Family Fare and Cub Foods grocery stores. Each volunteer shift lasts just for two hours, and he suggested that groups from businesses and houses of worship could take responsibility for staffing a full day at the kettles.
Shifts are available today and on Friday, as well as for the rest of the campaign. Anyone wishing to sign up and volunteer should call Jim Dale at 715-733-0575, or visit registertoring.com.
Limit distractions in the kitchen on Thanksgiving
Tomorrow of course is Thanksgiving, and fire officials, both state and local, are encouraging one and all to think about safety during one of the biggest kitchen-centric days of the year.
Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson said 80% of all home fires start in the kitchen. Nelson said during a Thanksgiving celebration it is especially important to pay attention to what is happening in the kitchen, even as guests arrive.
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson echoed Nelson’s thoughts. She said fire prevention is not always top-of-mind on days like tomorrow, but it should be. She said limiting distractions is important and one should never leave a hot stove unattended.
“Cooking is the leading cause of fires in Minnesota, so stay in the kitchen anytime you’re cooking. When baking, make sure to set that timer. In fact, if you have a smart phone, it’s very esy to take the timer with you.”
Nelson said the danger of fire isn’t necessarily confined to the kitchen. While things have improved over the years, there are still calls from time to time from people who have tried to deep fry their turkey and had a mishap. He said he is actually surprised the situations have not been worse.
“I’m surprised we haven’t had more serious burns, but there are plenty of times where we’ve gone out on calls. You know, mix propane and an open flame, and we’re adding hot grease and maybe some alcohol and it’s kind of a classic ‘Hold my beer, watch this’ situation.”
Nelson also suggested designating someone to hold and be ready to use a fire extinguisher when frying a turkey.
Both Chief Nelson and Fire Marshall Swenson stressed limiting distractions while cooking. Keep children away from the kitchen. Limit the use of alcohol while cooking is underway. Above all, Nelson said, “Just be safe, make good choices, and be nice to one another.”
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
