A few years ago there was a robbery that occurred in a city just down the road.
I witnessed the numerous police agencies that responded. In that one incident we had the Minnesota State Patrol, Todd County Sheriff Deputies, Clarissa Police, Long Prairie Police, Eagle Bend Police, and Bertha Police. (All cities in a 20 mile radius) I did not mind that there was a strong showing from our officers, in fact, it was appropriate and good to see different agencies working together.
I know most of the officers from each of the separate units and they are all excellent. However it made me think about the many layers of government that all of us pay for through our state and local taxes.
Soon after that incident the LGA cuts came, and it meant decisions needed to be made to keep property taxes down and budgets balanced. We do not have huge budgets here. We plow the streets, provide adequate water & sewer services, volunteer fire & rescue, small parks and street maintenance, and police.
After much debate amongst our city council we approved contracting with our Todd County Sheriff's Department for 20 - 30 hours of patrol time within the city. It includes 24 hour emergency response with a deputy in our area 24/7. It is a great partnership that helps the county and the city, but most importantly the taxpayers because it reduced overall expenses on both ends.
The only thing that really changed for Clarissa was our Chief of Police became a Sheriff's Deputy after an opening occurred at the county level. He and his family still live in Clarissa. In fact, he does most of the patrols to this day.
Clarissa will move from being one of the highest taxed cities in the area when I started as Mayor, to the lowest taxed city in the area within just 5 years. We have been able to run small surpluses in case of emergencies, but keeping property tax increases to the rate of inflation. All of this done with out LGA increases and scare tactics. Just another example of small city common sense.
Below is just a recent bust that occurred in our city as a result of great detective work and a great partnership with our Todd County Sheriff's Department.
SOURCE: inhnews.com
According to a Todd County Sheriff report, on May 18 the Sheriffs Office received a report of a robbery involving a dangerous weapon that occurred at a vacant residence in rural Clarissa. The victim reported that he had been talking with a female on a phone dating service and arranged to meet her. The female on the phone directed the victim to a residence that she said was hers.
When the victim arrived at the house, a male individual came from behind the house brandishing a baseball bat and threatened the victim. The male suspect took all of the cash that the victim had and fled the scene. The victim was not assaulted by the suspect. After an investigation, on June 6 the Sheriffs Office took into custody
Stephanie Ann Pischke and Joseph Allen Spaeth for their involvement in the
robbery.
A search warrant was executed at residences co-owned/rented by Pischke and Spaeth in the cities of Clarissa and Eagle Bend.
The case was heard before Judge Jay D. Carlson in Seventh District Court in Todd County on June 4.
Stephanie A. Pischke, 26, Clarissa, was charged with simple robbery, first degree aggravated robbery and second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Bail was set at $50,000 bond/cash or $25,000 bond/cash with conditions of no contact with the alleged victim and restrictions on possession of weapons. Her next court appearance took place on June 9.
Bail was set at $50,000 bond/cash or $25,000 bond/$2,500 cash for Joseph A. Speath, 32, Clarissa, who is charged with simple robbery, first degree aggravated robbery and second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Conditions of release include no contact with his alleged victim and restrictions on possessing weapons.
Speath was to be represented by a public defender at the June 9 hearing.
