Crime Prevention

SAFE AND SOBER

The Chaska Police Department (CPD) and the Carver County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) began working the Safe & Sober specialized traffic enforcement campaign recently. Safe & Sober combines public education with increased or additional traffic enforcement in an effort to reduce deaths and injuries on Minnesota roadways. Last year in Minnesota, traffic crashes cost 1.5 billion dollars, killed 600 and injured 46,064 people. Last year in Carver County, there were 15 killed and 552 people injured. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children; teenagers and adults under the age of 30.

CPD and CCSO are two of over 200 Minnesota law enforcement agencies participating in the campaign which consists of four enforcement waves during major travel times and holidays of the year.

A driver is impaired if they drink or use drugs. CPD and CCSO strongly urge all motor vehicle drivers to abstain from using any mind-altering substance when there is a chance they may be driving. Before beginning your celebrations, designate a sober driver. Call a taxicab if your designated driver uses any alcohol or drugs. Hosts of holiday parties must remember to serve non-alcoholic beverages, make plenty of food available to guests and be responsible for their travel home following the gathering. "The ideal situation is when hosts take responsibility for the safety of their guests and party goers take responsibility for their safety as well, "stated Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight. "We just want everyone to be conscious of the risks of drinking and driving, and are prepared for any situation. Remember: Friends do not let friends drink and drive." In addition to being a completely sober driver, the Chaska Police Department and Carver County Sheriff Department reminds drivers and passengers to wear their safety belts at all times. Safety belts are your best defense against an impaired driver.

Both the Chaska Police Department and the Carver County Sheriff Department are receiving grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to fund the overtime traffic shifts. They applied for and were awarded a grant from the department’s Office of Traffic Safety.  Safe & Sober is a national and state-wide traffic enforcement and education campaign supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as the DPS.

Neighborhood Crime Watch

If you have a neighborhood group who would like to start a crime watch program, please contact our offices or send an e-mail to chaskapolice@chaska.net.

Crime Watch is a group of neighbors looking out for neighbors. It’s getting to know each other and becoming familiar with the normal comings and goings of the neighborhood. Knowing this helps neighbors to identify things which are not ordinary. Things like strange vehicles and suspicious persons stand out. We encourage everyone to look out for each other. Too often people feel like they don’t want to bother the police. Believe me, it is not a bother. We want the call.