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Police report shows significant increase in drug cases, traffic and ordinance violationsBy MaryHelen Swanson Corporal Scott Berg, the Chisago County deputy assigned to Rush City, turned in an annual report for the year 2001 showing an increase in law enforcement activity, especially significant in the areas of drug cases, traffic and ordinance violations. In 2000 there were 14 ordinance violations, in 2001, 70. In 2000 there were 72 traffic violations - speeding, no licenses, etc.- in 2001 that number jumped to 142. And in 2000, there were three reported drug cases in Rush City, last year that number went to 20. Other areas of significant change is found in alarm calls, 68 in 2000, 123 in 2001, and juvenile offense went from 45 to 59 in 2001. Some areas went down, animal complaints, for one, from 58 to 37. Thefts dropped from 81 in 2000 to 40 in 2001, and assaults dropped from 44 in 2000 to 20 in 2001. Medical responses are one category that remains high, 185 in 2000, 163 in 2001. Disturbances, loud noise, music, shooting, etc., keeps the officers on duty busy also. In 2000, there were 94 cases, in 2001, 104. The largest category of the 33 categories charted, is assists and miscellaneous. The numbers for 2000, 302, for 2001, 348. While an officer is busy keeping the peace in Rush City, it is good to know itís a clean town. Cases of littering went from 1 to 0. The Rush City Council received the report Monday night, although Corporal Berg was not on hand for comments. The document, a packet over one-inch thick, is expected to be reviewed at a later date when Berg can be present. Rush City contracts with Chisago County for police coverage rather than having a department of its own. In other business, the council held a public hearing on a street improvement project, a reconstruction of Colfax Street and Bremer Ave. Three residents along that road were on hand to hear about the project and receive initial estimated assessment costs. City Engineer Bob Moberg expects costs to run individual property owners $54.29 per running frontage foot. He also noted that about 445 feet of the road is cityís responsibility, or about 22.5 percent of the project. He suggested a sloped concrete curb, with a height of about four inches, but Mayor Mike Skalsky encouraged Moberg to go with a regular curb for better water drainage, greater ease in plowing and as a better barrier to keep traffic from going on to personal property. The consensus of the council was this would be the best type for the project. Total cost of the project is set at $107,200. The road will be 28 feet wide and the project will be done between May and July this summer. The council also approved the purchase of the park property and parking lot by the railroad tracks. Up to now, the city has been renting each of these properties for $1,800/year. The city is paying $14,400 for for the park and $14,400 for the parking lot. The council also approved the hiring of Karen Becker, who is already an employee at the municipal liquor store and bar, to be full-time head bartender. A second open position at the store will be unfilled now. Bills were approved in the amount of $107,462.82. ©ECM Post Review |