Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 17 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Police seek end to vandalism
Published Thursday, May 22, 2008
Fergus Falls Police are looking for the person or persons responsible for 20 reported car prowls over roughly three weeks.
Among the 20 incidents, only one of the vehicles involved was locked, said Sgt. Bruce Kolle. In some cases, owners reported their vehicles had been disturbed overnight but no possessions were missing. Other prowls have resulted in missing checkbooks, CDs, a rifle, a cordless drill and other items.
“They’re looking for whatever they can get their hands on,” Kolle said.
Incidents have been reported in different corners of town, he said, with offenders sticking to specific neighborhoods each night.
“Essentially we look at the places that they are occurring, take the evidence we find and identify possible suspects,” Lt. Kile Bergren said of police work on the prowls.
Those investigations can benefit from help by citizens, police say.
“We need the citizens to step up when they see something happening, help out their neighbors and call law enforcement,” Kolle said.
Noticing people wandering the streets past midnight, for example, could be a reason to contact police.
“There really isn’t a logical reason for people to be walking around (at that hour),” Bergren said, “especially in a residential area.”
Residents can also take the simple steps of not only locking their vehicles, but removing valuables from inside.
“By locking cars you keep honest people a little more honest,” Kolle said.
Bergren said the car prowls are believed to be unrelated to vandalism along College Way, where 13 business mailboxes were damaged earlier this week. Graffiti along the river walk in early May and damage to city hall this week are also believed to be unrelated to the car incidents, Kolle said.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"There really isn’t a logical reason for people to be walking around (at that hour),” Bergren said"
when was a curfew enacted?
I don't get it!
lets see?
hmmm? wee town outpost robbed again?
who has it been most of those times?
carhopping all over town?
isn't there a certain someone just let off probation that fits that M.O. perfectly?
one who the police always seem to let slide through, except when they caught her with Crack, and even then never really did anything to her!
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“There really isn’t a logical reason for people to be walking around (at that hour),” Bergren said, “especially in a residential area.”
This is the dumbest comment I've heard in a long time. If I want to take a walk a 2:00 AM I'll damned sure do it and there is nothing Lt. Bergren can do about it. This is not a police state yet!!!
Posted by nobal (anonymous) on May 22, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I walk the dog that late some time.I see the police driving around and sure they look me over as they drive by,but I haven't walked the streets in Fergus in at least 18 yrs as I live in Mo. now.
Posted by achartier (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bergren just wants to catch the people/person responsible and if he wants to have people tie up the police phone lines at 2 AM with neighbors calls because someone is out at that hour walking their dog, or whatever reason, then so be it. who the hell cares. its better to be cautious then have ur stuff stolen isnt it?!
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just don't like how he puts the responsibility to catch these vandals and thieves on us!
why do need to pay police if they think we should just police ourselves anyway?
and that we have no business walking around past midnight.
is this so him and his cronies can just sit at holiday all night?, maybe perkins?
how about the police patrol areas where these crimes take place?
maybe ask around, investigate?
you know, police work!
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
our police have time and funding to coerce two minors to go around trying to buy beer at 19 local business', resulting in someone losing their employment.
but the solution to vandalism and theft is that we should polie ourselves?
ever wonder why some law abiding people feel the police are against them in this community?
Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank-you Fergus Falls police officers for all that you do. Your job is not easy and at times your life may be at stake as you do your job. You are appreciated.
I really don't think that he was saying it to be our responsibility to catch these criminals. I am sure he is just asking for people to report suspicious activity, which I feel is our responsibilities as citizens of this country. A country that we are able to enjoy freedom so much that we can even anonymously bash and talk bad about the people that protect us and our freedom.
I have a feeling that some of the above posters have been on the wrong side of the law, which I have too. I wonder if you would have the guts to say what you are saying to the face of these officers after they give first aid to you or a loved one following a tragic car accident, or when you call them because you were a victim of theft, or when you your under age child is found dead from drinking and driving because she found a place that serves alchol to minors.
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fergus187, you are exactly right! Bergren is asking YOU to be the police in town, the "responsibility to catch these vandals and thieves" has been thrust upon YOU. After all, by reading your first post it appears you already know who the suspect is, it should be a slamdunk. I don't think asking you to call the police to report something suspicious is putting the responsibility on you.
Secondly, "coerce two minors to go around trying to buy beer"
coerce - Definition co·erce (kō ʉrs′)
transitive verb -·erced′, -·erc′·ing
to restrain or constrain by force, curb
to force or compel, as by threats, to do something
to bring about by using force; enforce
What are they threatening these poor kids with?
Thirdly -
robbery Definition rob·bery (rä′bər ē)
noun pl. -·ber·ies
act or practice of robbing
the felonious taking of personal property in the possession or immediate presence of another by the use of violence or intimidation
I don't recall the weetown outpost ever being robbed.
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 6:23 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on May 23, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you need help packing your bags?
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on May 24, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now your accusing the cops of driving drunk on the job? And getting busted while doing it? If that was the case I certainly would think that that would have made the news, I don't remember seeing anything about that. That must be another cover-up from our corrupt police department. As for "compelling" minors to buy beer, you are right again, if it wasn't for those backwards cops no minor would ever dream of trying to buy liquor underage. It doesn't make any difference if it is a pizza place or gas station or a liquor store, the law is the same. I did check the record for the last week like you said, again I didn't see anything about any robberies, a theft or burglary is not a robbery. And as for someone smashing out your childs bedroom window in broad daylight with witnesses, and the cops drop off the suspect with their local drug dealer? Geez, it sounds like you are real victim here. I bet the story changes if we hear the other side.
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 24, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you ever read the newspaper?
if so look up when officer Miller got his DWI.
you consider 3.2 beer liquor?, but you get worked up over me using the term robbery instead of burglary?
ever heard of a thesaurus?
wrongfully and forcefully taking property is what we are talking about here.
poor grammar isn't causing it, and grammar isn't going to stop it!
neither will you betting or guessing.
I've stated facts and you can deny all you like, it still doesn't change the facts!
as for "tsy86h" and your question as to if I need help packing?
thanks for your concern but packing isn't a problem, it's getting the equity out of my home, which I have paid a mortgage on for about 20 years here while trying to make a living with the business I had to close, and jobs I worked in Fergus falls.
perhaps if Fergus falls was a community with something to offer other than corrupt police, joblessness, low wages, drug addicts, burglary, theft, vandalism, and in general contempt for its own people, even more so for outsiders, I could find someone actually interested in buying a home here!
but until then, I guess you'll just have to endure this taxpayer expecting something other than laziness and poor ethics from those whose wages I pay!
as for minors buying beer, It is a gross misdemeanor for any person to in any way encourage, cause or contribute to the delinquency of a minor in Minnesota.
such as influencing them to buy beer!
why do you condone the police thinking they are above our laws?
sure whoever sold them the beer failed too, lost their job and has a fine to pay, and will need to explain to another employer why they failed to card someone at their last job.
But,
what about the ones who willfully and intentionally sought to commit an act they knew was unlawful,
the ones who set the events into the motion.
is it a crime to be confused, suckered, or overworked?
well I guess so.
I can see how burglary could be a feasable alternative to low wage employment under these conditions.
especially when the burglar is provided police taxi service, and complete legal immunity.
while the person actually trying to earn wages is set up and punished.
and all the police offer is that we mistrust our neighbors and call in if we see anyone out walking after midnight?
if failing to perform your job is a crime, I can't think of a better example of job failure than our local police.
why are you praising them for creating crime where it didn't exist?
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 24, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so now soliciting crime is crime prevention?
was anyone other than the pizza employee harmed as a result of this crime?
did the minors consume the beer?
no?
so the big victory here is for what?
so parents don't have to teach morals to their kids?
oops, caught you, you forgot to card my buddy, you are soo busted!, heres a fine, have fun finding another jobs sucker!
whew, it sure is dangerous out here fighting crime.
I got another idea, how bout we try to get some kids to egg a house and then fine them if they are willing to do it.
just think of all the crime we could prevent by creating it!
and all those fines we could put into?
more candid camera style crime prevention.
I suppose it is easier to catch the criminals when you're creating the crime.
man that makes the numbers look better!
now maybe we can get more tax money for a new police dept.
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on May 24, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do read the paper on occasion, and I did see when Officer Miller got his DWI, HE WAS NOT ON DUTY! You think the cops should send people into axel nelson apts to buy drugs, but if they send someone in to buy beer it is a crime. Make up your mind. With your poor attitude toward law enforcement, Fergus Falls and its citizens its not hard to imagine why you had to close your business. I wish you luck in selling your house, I hope it is a speedy process so you can get on your way. I don't think many people will be sad to see you go. Also, I don't why you think the police should be punished because they make a better wage and have better benefits than you. You should use that as incentive to go out and better yourself and get a better paying job. They make more money than you because their job is way more dangerous than yours.
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 25, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
punished for wages?
when did I say anything like that?
you're paraphrasing like our police enjoy doing!, or as I say, warping the truth, being dishonest!
skewing the facts, but why?
I don't think anyone should ever be punished for "EARNING" an honest wage.
the operative word here is "EARNING"!
if you don't perform your job, you didn't "EARN" your wage.
how long would you pay someone to not mow your lawn?
wouldn't you eventually just do it yourself?
isn't that what Lt. Kile Bergren said?
he can't perform his duties so now we should just do it ourselves, like vigilantes?
I used to believe statements our police made like this until, I did track down criminals for our police and was punished for it!
the statement he made is just smoke and mirrors!
the underlying message is "it's not his fault he can't catch criminals", it's ours because we don't call in, but then if you do, you must be a criminal!
how else could you know who is doing the crimes?
you must at least be an accomplice.
at least thats how I was treated.
"It is a gross misdemeanor for any person to in any way encourage, cause or contribute to the delinquency of a minor in Minnesota."
aren't police considered persons?
you really can't see a difference between using minors to set up a low wage pizza employee with a 3.2 beer purchase and having adult police agents set up crack dealers?
if this is how most Fergus citizens think, then, you're right! I am sure there won't be many in Fergus that miss me, I don't partake of drug abuse, or these warped justifications for allowing our taxpayer funded police to contribute to the delinquency of minors, all for the sake of moving someone who was at least trying to earn an honest wage, into unemployment!
when I first opened my business in Fergus I had nothing but respect for our local police,
Until children told me about adults who were handing out drugs to kids, and being sexual predators against our cities youth.
as a concerned parent, I felt I needed to do something.
I brought rape victims to the womens crisis center, I handed out information on drug rehabilitation, I called police until they told me to stop calling, and to just handle some of these things myself!
they claimed they needed more evidence.
so I went into the homes of supposed drug dealers to get evidence of what the kids had told me, sometimes being forced to physically defend myself, and I informed the police with names, dates, locations, & substances being sold.
after sharing this information with our local police dept.
I soon found myself the target of their contempt.
while the drug dealers and sexual predators are allowed to continue unabated.
I did all these things because our police would not!
sure, in the end, I was vindicated, but not until I was financially ruined.
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 25, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the pizza employee lost their job for selling beer to 20 year old "children"?
these "children" can buy tobacco, gamble, serve in our military, get married, even be police, but not drink a 3.2 beer with their pizza?
Posted by fergus187 (anonymous) on May 25, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my question is this?
what motive would Local police have to stop someone providing them with information about local drug dealers and sexual predators?
and why would would it be so difficult for male officers to catch a sexually liberated, drugged out, car hopping thief in a town the size of Fergus?
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)