In the News
Detective Benn Receives Commendation
On May 11, 2013, Detective Rick Benn received an Certificate of Commendation for outstanding public service, benefiting our community, state and nation. It was awarded to him Box Elder Legion Post 315, Department of The American Legion. Congratulations, Detective Benn!
Freshman Impact - Caught in the Moment - 2013
Box Elder Officers, Pennington County Sheriff Deputies and South Dakota Highway Patrolman were at Douglas High School on April 24th to help man the different learning stations. “During this time of year when the weather gets warmer and functions such as prom and graduation bring celebrations, it also brings out risk-taking behaviors found in teens. This event gives parents a great opportunity to sit down and discuss the dangers involved with driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and the lack of seatbelt use”.
“The program is designed to educate Freshman students and their parents on how alcohol and /or drugs affect families and communities. The program highlights what to expect physically, mentally, legally, and criminally when the choice is made to use alcohol and/or drugs”. (Courtesy of the Pennington County Sheriff’s website)
“The idea for the Freshman Impact program came after a conversation Deputy Rick McPherson had with Pat Carlson, a family friend and federal defense attorney. Deputy McPherson was talking about the troubling trend of underage drinking issues when Pat encouraged him to be proactive and do something about it. After this conversation, Deputy McPherson decided to create a program to show teenagers the real consequences of distracted driving, alcohol and drug use.”
"The program consists of a multiple learning stations for students ranging from a course simulating drunk driving to a presentation showing what happens in a rollover if you are not wearing your seatbelt. These learning stations are taught by local law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and people that have been impacted by the effects of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The cornerstone of the program is the mock crash scene and sentencing hearing that gives students a very realistic picture of what happens at an alcohol or drug-related crash and how bad choices will impact lives for years afterward.” (From the FRESHMAN IMPACT website)
The following pictures are used with permission from Roy Ulrich at Henry Roy Photography. Thank you for the use of the photos.
“The program is designed to educate Freshman students and their parents on how alcohol and /or drugs affect families and communities. The program highlights what to expect physically, mentally, legally, and criminally when the choice is made to use alcohol and/or drugs”. (Courtesy of the Pennington County Sheriff’s website)
“The idea for the Freshman Impact program came after a conversation Deputy Rick McPherson had with Pat Carlson, a family friend and federal defense attorney. Deputy McPherson was talking about the troubling trend of underage drinking issues when Pat encouraged him to be proactive and do something about it. After this conversation, Deputy McPherson decided to create a program to show teenagers the real consequences of distracted driving, alcohol and drug use.”
"The program consists of a multiple learning stations for students ranging from a course simulating drunk driving to a presentation showing what happens in a rollover if you are not wearing your seatbelt. These learning stations are taught by local law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and people that have been impacted by the effects of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The cornerstone of the program is the mock crash scene and sentencing hearing that gives students a very realistic picture of what happens at an alcohol or drug-related crash and how bad choices will impact lives for years afterward.” (From the FRESHMAN IMPACT website)
The following pictures are used with permission from Roy Ulrich at Henry Roy Photography. Thank you for the use of the photos.
N. Ellsworth Road Traffic Study Conducted by BEPD
Recently the Box Elder Police Department conducted a traffic study on N. Ellsworth Rd. from March 24th through March 29th. N. Ellsworth Rd. is a 35 MPH speed zone.
The study cataloged the amount of vehicles and each respective speed. The total number of vehicles that traveled north bound on N. Ellsworth Rd. was 9838. That’s approximately 1.3 vehicle(s) a minute.
The highest speed recorded was 59 MPH.
The average speed collected was 37 MPH.
The 50th percentile was at 37 MPH.
The 85th percentile was at 41 MPH.
Of the 9838 recorded vehicles, 6010 were traveling at 36 MPH or faster.
On Sunday March 24, 985 vehicles used the road. 539 were speeding.
Monday March 25, 1838 vehicles used the road. 1021were speeding.
Tuesday March 26, 1894 vehicles used the road. 1153 were speeding.
Wednesday March 27, 1927 vehicles used the road. 1215 were speeding.
Thursday March 28, 1957 vehicles used the road. 1227 were speeding.
Friday March 29, 1238 vehicles used the road. 856 were speeding.
The peak traveling time on N. Ellsworth Rd. is from noon to 5 pm. With the data collected from the speed trailer, Officer presence will be increasingly noticeable. Please obey the posted speed limit. For questions or ideas please contact Box Elder Senior Officer Nick Rosser at either of the following (605) 923-1401 or by email nrosser@boxelder.us
The study cataloged the amount of vehicles and each respective speed. The total number of vehicles that traveled north bound on N. Ellsworth Rd. was 9838. That’s approximately 1.3 vehicle(s) a minute.
The highest speed recorded was 59 MPH.
The average speed collected was 37 MPH.
The 50th percentile was at 37 MPH.
The 85th percentile was at 41 MPH.
Of the 9838 recorded vehicles, 6010 were traveling at 36 MPH or faster.
On Sunday March 24, 985 vehicles used the road. 539 were speeding.
Monday March 25, 1838 vehicles used the road. 1021were speeding.
Tuesday March 26, 1894 vehicles used the road. 1153 were speeding.
Wednesday March 27, 1927 vehicles used the road. 1215 were speeding.
Thursday March 28, 1957 vehicles used the road. 1227 were speeding.
Friday March 29, 1238 vehicles used the road. 856 were speeding.
The peak traveling time on N. Ellsworth Rd. is from noon to 5 pm. With the data collected from the speed trailer, Officer presence will be increasingly noticeable. Please obey the posted speed limit. For questions or ideas please contact Box Elder Senior Officer Nick Rosser at either of the following (605) 923-1401 or by email nrosser@boxelder.us
Crime Prevention: A Team Effort
Officer Edwards and Detective Benn Complete Another Successful Year of Teaching DARE at Vandenberg Elementary School
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience gave them the background needed to answer the sophisticated questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. 40 hours of additional training are provided to D.A.R.E. instructors to prepare them to teach the high school curriculum.
D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.
D.A.R.E. "humanizes" the police: that is, young people can begin to relate to officers as people
D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role.
D.A.R.E. opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth
D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics
D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with other issues (information provided by DARE website)
Below is the letter of appreciation from Mona Terwilliger, Principal of Vandenberg Elementary, to Officer Edwards and Detective Benn.
The D.A.R.E. curriculum is designed to be taught by police officers whose training and experience gave them the background needed to answer the sophisticated questions often posed by young students about drugs and crime. Prior to entering the D.A.R.E. program, officers undergo 80 hours of special training in areas such as child development, classroom management, teaching techniques, and communication skills. 40 hours of additional training are provided to D.A.R.E. instructors to prepare them to teach the high school curriculum.
D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities.
D.A.R.E. "humanizes" the police: that is, young people can begin to relate to officers as people
D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role.
D.A.R.E. opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth
D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics
D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with other issues (information provided by DARE website)
Below is the letter of appreciation from Mona Terwilliger, Principal of Vandenberg Elementary, to Officer Edwards and Detective Benn.
Information Regarding Background Records Check
The Box Elder Police Department periodically receives requests from citizens seeking a background check on themselves, employees, or third parties for various purposes. Background checks of various scopes and depths are subject to restrictions of law and policy and are generally not conducted.
However, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) offers criminal history record checks, using their forms and requirements, outlined here:
http://dci.sd.gov/Operations/Identification/BackgroundCheckRequirements.aspx.
The Box Elder Police Department does offer a Letter of Clearance service. This process is designed to meet the needs of residents who may want or need to provide written verification of their driver’s license status, lack of wants or warrants, lack of present investigative activity, and sex offender status.
Citizens requesting a Letter of Clearance on themselves must send their request in writing with full legal name(s) including alias(es) and/or maiden name(s), date of birth, driver’s license number, and all addresses resided in within the City of Box Elder. The scope of the inquiry will be limited to records held by the Box Elder Police Department, and which are not subject to restricted dissemination. Letters of Clearance will be provided only to those applicants with inquiries free from negative findings.
The fee for this service is $15.00, payable by cash or check.
Please send your request to:
Box Elder Police Department
420 Villa Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
Should you have any questions, please call 605-923-1401 during normal business hours.
However, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) offers criminal history record checks, using their forms and requirements, outlined here:
http://dci.sd.gov/Operations/Identification/BackgroundCheckRequirements.aspx.
The Box Elder Police Department does offer a Letter of Clearance service. This process is designed to meet the needs of residents who may want or need to provide written verification of their driver’s license status, lack of wants or warrants, lack of present investigative activity, and sex offender status.
Citizens requesting a Letter of Clearance on themselves must send their request in writing with full legal name(s) including alias(es) and/or maiden name(s), date of birth, driver’s license number, and all addresses resided in within the City of Box Elder. The scope of the inquiry will be limited to records held by the Box Elder Police Department, and which are not subject to restricted dissemination. Letters of Clearance will be provided only to those applicants with inquiries free from negative findings.
The fee for this service is $15.00, payable by cash or check.
Please send your request to:
Box Elder Police Department
420 Villa Drive
Box Elder, SD 57719
Should you have any questions, please call 605-923-1401 during normal business hours.
National Night Out Helps Bring Community, Police Together
On August 7th, 2012 the Box Elder Police Department hosted their 3rd Annual “National Night Out – America’s Night Out Against Crime.” National Night Out is program of the National Association of Town Watch and is held with four goals in mind:
(1) Heighten crime prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Box Elder Police continued their own commitment to these four ideals with the third local outing of this program. Citizens attending this year’s event saw a variety of static and interactive displays from area police, fire, and EMS partners. Many of the planned activities this year included vehicle and equipment displays; taser and military working dog demonstrations; crime prevention, gun safety, emergency and disaster preparation, traffic safety, and fire prevention activities; and a crashed vehicle extrication exercise. National Night Out 2012 culminated at dusk with an aerial fireworks display, donated by Space International Fireworks of Box Elder. Hot dogs, beverages, and root beer floats were served by area rescuers, donors, and supporters.
The Box Elder Police Department wishes to take this chance to thank our amazing partners and sponsors. We have been fortunate to have some great support and are humbled as we watch “National Night Out” grow each year. We sincerely appreciate everyone, without whom this event would not be possible.
Partners:
(1) Heighten crime prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Box Elder Police continued their own commitment to these four ideals with the third local outing of this program. Citizens attending this year’s event saw a variety of static and interactive displays from area police, fire, and EMS partners. Many of the planned activities this year included vehicle and equipment displays; taser and military working dog demonstrations; crime prevention, gun safety, emergency and disaster preparation, traffic safety, and fire prevention activities; and a crashed vehicle extrication exercise. National Night Out 2012 culminated at dusk with an aerial fireworks display, donated by Space International Fireworks of Box Elder. Hot dogs, beverages, and root beer floats were served by area rescuers, donors, and supporters.
The Box Elder Police Department wishes to take this chance to thank our amazing partners and sponsors. We have been fortunate to have some great support and are humbled as we watch “National Night Out” grow each year. We sincerely appreciate everyone, without whom this event would not be possible.
Partners:
- 28th Security Forces Squadron
- Box Elder Volunteer Fire Department
- Ellsworth AFB Ambulance
- Ellsworth AFB Fire Department
- Farmer’s Insurance – Alexander Agency
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- Neighborworks
- Pennington County Emergency Management
- Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
- Rapid City Fire and Emergency Services
- South Dakota Highway Patrol
- United States Air Force Recruiters
- Working Against Violence, Inc.
- Target Corporation
- 28th Security Forces – Defender’s Association
- Antelope Ridge – A Hunt Community
- Bandit Ball Little League
- Coca Cola of the Black Hills
- Ellsworth AFB Enlisted Spouses Club
- Flying J Travel Plaza – MG Oil Company
- Keiffer Sanitation
- Loaf ‘n Jug
- Mountain View Village Apartments
- Sam’s Club
- Space International Fireworks
