Owatonna Police Catch Kids WEARING Their Helmets

This is the kind of ticket you want to get from a police officer. The Owatonna Police Department's Just the Facts newsletter reports, "Patrol officer Melissa Michael spotted a pair of kiddos out riding their bikes, WEARING, their helmets! As part of an effort to promote wearing safety helmets, officer Michael presented the riders with a coupon for a free Dairy Queen treat."

OPD will continue to be on the lookout for kids with their helmets on this summer. Sponsoring organizations include Safe Kids Minnesota, the Minnesota Chief of Police Association, and the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths Coalition among others.

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise locally. Authorities suggest, "To detract a would be thief, consider parking in well-lit areas and close to building entrances, consider marking your converter with high temperature fluorescent paint, or consider adding a security device or have it welded into place."

The Owatonna Police Department reports several personnel notes.

• Detective Brady Vaith will transition from Owatonna High School where he has been a school resource officer for the last five years back to a patrol schedule. Vaith has been in the Detective Bureau with OPD since 2016.
• Officer Derek Quinlan will take over the OHS assignment. Quinlan has been a patrol officer since 2015 in Owatonna.
• Recent hire Anthony Malepsy has completed his field training and begins solo patrol this weekend.

Owatonna police provided an update on a recent vehicle theft in town that led to a chase and crash in the Twin Cities. Local officials announce the Safety Camp for students who have completed third grade is back this summer. The format is different than before the pandemic and registration is limited. Go to the Owatonna Parks and Recreation website for details.

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