  Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek led a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Sheriff's Office 911 Emergency Communications Facility in Plymouth. The Sheriff's Office operates the largest consolidated 911 facility in the upper Midwest. It provides dispatch services for police, fire, and EMS in 37 communities and handles more than 600,000 calls each year.
 The Sheriff's Office honored volunteer Al Dietz on his retirement after 58 years of service. Al volunteered at the Sheriff's Office by working in a unit that provides emergency communications services. Eleven other volunteers were also honored for completing significant milestones during their years of service to the Sheriff's Office. At the agency, there are more than 100 citizens who are highly-trained in public safety and these volunteers have earned the title of "Special Deputy."
The Sheriff's Office is warning residents about telephone scams. Individuals are calling residents and telling them there is a warrant out for their arrest because of unpaid court fees or unpaid fines.
There are a variety of phone scams nationwide. Do not rely on caller ID to verify the origin of a phone call. In some cases, calls will appear as if they are originating from an official agency, when in reality the call is a hoax and a result of technology that manipulates caller ID. If you are uncertain about the identify of a caller; hang up the phone, locate the official phone number of the agency that called you, and call the agency directly.
The Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department announced the addition of the new Integrated Access Team (IAT) at the Hennepin County Jail. The IAT will help eligible inmates suffering from mental illness, chemical dependency and those who have a high risk of returning to jail after their release, gain access to additional services and resources.
The IAT includes a combination of social workers, a chemical health counselor, a housing specialist, and a case management assistant who will work in collaboration with the Hennepin County Medical Clinic Jail Medical Team.
 On October 15, the Sheriff's Office partnered with the Hopkins Police Department and the Minnetonka Police Department to host a Heroin Town Hall Meeting at the Hopkins Art Center (shown in photo). On October 27, the Sheriff's Office partnered with Maple Grove Police to host a Heroin Town Hall Meeting at Maple Grove Senior High School. Both events were an opportunity for the law enforcement community to urge education & treatment to help reduce the risk of drug addiction and overdose in Hennepin County. Law enforcement described their efforts to investigate and dismantle criminal drug operations. Speakers also included representatives from health care, education, and drug prevention/treatment.
To learn more about this important issue, click below to watch the informative video, "Medicine: It cures, It kills." |
