MASON CITY – At tonight’s City Council meeting, Police Chief Michael Lashbrook addressed the community and council on how his police department deals with crime and particularly the recent perceived crime outbreak in the city.
Lashbrook said the department is four officers down at this time and is working hard through a number of programs to battle crime in the city.
He said that the number one way to fight crime is through citizen participation and interaction with the department.
Mayor Eric Bookmeyer echoed this sentiment, when he told the public “Don’t be afraid of snitchin’.”
More on the Chief’s presentation, including the full video, coming soon.
Where is the report of a MC police Chiefs daughter being arrested for her second OWI, then miraculously the charges disappear and she’s released? hmmmm all i need to know about this town.
Weed smell in car? Tell ’em you left the windows open down by the frisbee course.
the problem with north iowa crime lies directly with the MCPD and the whole judicial system. think about it. we constantly read where a criminal has been set free, deferred judgement, plea bargain, ect. is everyone a criminal in north iowa? NO…. maybe 1/2 of 1% (hell I dont know)are commiting 90% of the crimes? if the court system would do their job and convict these people then the word would get around and these people would think twice. someone wrote here that young people listen and learn bad habits from rap music. if they can learn from rap crap, then they can also learn what they did wrong while sitting their ass in jail. and god only hopes they get a sore ass in the process. get tough on these criminals. your not out fishing damnit. this isnt a catch and release program. there is no limit on crappies. stick their ass in jail, even if its for a much shorter period of time than normal. maybe then they will learn that there are consequences to their actions.
If you are from Mason City, can you think of… lets say 10 people that should be put away. and would the city be better off with these people gone from society? I heard some of you say mayor and city council, thats not what im talking about. maybe that number should be higher, but either way the court system is far to lenient on todays criminals.
I also agree with Peter L in that marijuana should be leagalized. I do not smoke, anything, but like peter said… spend your time looking for rapist, burglers, hard core crime rather than all the courts time, officers time, state money wasted when it comes to marijuana laws. Beer and alcahol cause way more fights, murders, drunk driving deaths than someone that just wants to mellow out.
That is the District Attorney’s Office and Judges letting them go not the PD. We got 173 beds at our county jail and never had more then 75 people in there, why you ask, because the judges and DA work for the criminals, not the victims.
Thats the way it really does look. Revolving door, molesters, rapists, assault. These are the people that do little or no time. WHY?
I reported a couple of weeks ago about my daughter getting beat up and her stuff being stolen at a park and the cop did nothing, and we knew who her attacker was. So what good is this program going to do?
Don’t be afraid of “snitchin”? Is he forgetting the skeletons he and kuhn have in their pasts? He should be encouraging people to pipe down!
the mayor wants people to “snitch” if they see anything wrong. well to me that sounds like the mayor is in favor of north iowa today. this site is here for people to “snitch” on situations they feel are wrong. either one of Peters op-eds, in the whiners den or such. has the mayor thanked you yet Matt?
50: No thanks as of yet, but you are right NIT is here for people to tell it like it is. I do know that the right people are seeing what is written/posted here, and I hope it serves the good of the people in some way.
Maybe one of these days we will see the sheriff come out of his office and try to help. Probably wont happen though because it doesnt fit into his 8 to 430the schedule. What a joke, time has come to replace that guy.
I live in the crime ridden North End and can tell you I personally have not seen the type of crime up here that everyone talks about and I am home and outside every day. I have seen more Highway Patrol and Sherrif’s cars patroling up here then I have seen before. It is unfortunate that our Mayor used those words when asking people to report crimes. I see children running around with shirts saying I am no snitch so I believe it has become part of the cultser not to talk to police. I do not feel that way and if I see someone breaking the law I WILL call the police and if it happens on my property I will take what ever steps needed to stop the criminals. These people are coming in from other area’s of the country and are destroying our town and getting away with it.
Just because you dont see it doesnt mean it isnt happening. If you see so many law enforcement cars patrolling around your area, dont you think it for a reason? And all those times you see the patrol cars how often do you see them get out and interact with the community, like ask questions, has anybody seen anything, do you have any concerns? No that sort of thing never happens, the only time they interact with the community is after somthing bad happens. Maybe they should try a little preventable actions.
Concerned-you are correct that we never see the police interacting with the neighborhood unless they are called in for a specific problem and that is a shame. I do think they could pick up a lot of information if they were to take the time to talk to us. For my part, I see a lot of things going on here with people walking and driving down the ally’s. Mostly these are people without a driver’s license or are hiding from someone. Maybe they are just to busy to stop because they are short handed or in a hurry to get to the next crime. I am sure we have some things going on that we don’t always see. I personally know of a couple of houses that have some strange things going on with some smells I can identify.
Peter, you really need to get out in the real world and see how things truly work. It would take me forever to refute everything you mention, and I just don’t have that kind of time now.
People do not behave properly because they are altruistic, or perfect. People behave properly because there are consequences. That is how our society, and form of government is set up!
We as a people, have chosen certain people in our communities, and given them authority enforce the rules (laws) we live by, as well as protect us from those who ignore our laws. Because of the system of government we have, the courts decide if we are, or are not guilty of what we have been charged with. Those courts have judges who are the ultimate authority in law. We have several layers of courts as a further protection to a citizens rights.
With that authority we have placed upon those who enforce laws, and those who adjudicate them, there is trust. There must be. I trust for example, that a judge behaves within the parameters of the law governing society, and how our courts are to be run. Most judges are true to their duties as reflected in their records.
“….but the child like immature general public still sees them as the parental authoritarian figure to be avoided at all cost.”
That is not the case at all. First and foremost, no citizen should fear those we hire to protect us. A majority of people I know on a personal level, have absolutely no fear of a police officer. They neither cower, nor avoid them. That is because they have no reason to.
“It’s not easy at first to come out of your shell and place an officer on the level with yourself. There’s decades and centuries of conditioning to the contrary. But the breakdown needs to occur.”
That is pure paranoia, ask any Phd. If you cannot interact with a police officer as a human being, the same as you, then there is a deep seated problem on your behalf, because as I said above, most people do not hold that fear.
“Eventually they become like Van De Weerd…lazy and ineffective.
Libel? Defamation of character? I hope you have a good lawyer, you might need one with comments like that.
“I’ve even suggested before that citizens create a rotating police force where members of the community actually become cops for six months at a time to keep it fresh. I see longterm police careers as being the problem.”
That is a silly notion. It takes a long time to study and train to become a police officer, not to mention the cost involved. Most people could not do the job. And after all you have said in these and other venues, there is no question in my mind you do not have the ability to perform the job.
Peter, you hold disdain for any figure of authority. Your paradigm does not allow you to look objectively at how society functions, and the checks and balances it has put in place. You seem to even detest any thing that places limitations upon you. Limitations mind you, most other people in the U.S. willingly accept.
And lastly Peter, I don’t make you look like anything, you do it all on your own.
I am sorry Peter, this is not your world, this is the United States. Utopia it’s not.
ELECT THE POLICE LIKE WE DO IN WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF CRIMINALS.THE POLICE IN MASON CITY ARE GOOD FOR MOST PART .HAVE YOU EVER LIVED IN A BIG CITY? WHERE YOU SEE A COP AND JUST A SIMPLE TRAFFIC STOP CAN RESULT IN YOUR BEATING DEATH? VEGAS OR NYNY.MY COMPLAINT ABOUT SMALLTOWN POLICE DEPT IS OFTEN THEY GO OUTSIDE COMMUNITY TO BRING IN A CHIEF ,SLAP IN THE FACE TO OUR OFFICERS WHO BUSTED ASS TO GET WHERE THEY ARE .AS FOR ARE SHERRIF HE IS DONE GREAT ,AND WE KNOW HIM UNLIKE ONE IN D.C.AND THATS WHY PROMOTING FROM WITHIN ELECTING FROM OUR POPULATION WHERE WE CAN TRACE THERE PAST UNLIKE OUR SO CALLED PRESIDENT WHO IS A COMMUNIST AND HIS PARTY IS THE SAME PARTY AS THE REPULICANS THE PARTY OF ROCKAFELLAS WARLORDS WHO WOULD SUBVERT OUR HOME TOWN JUSTICE SYSTEM BY BRINGING IN OUTSIDERS AND YOU WOULD SEE 300 INMATES INJAIL,ALL HALF ON WORK RELEASE WORKING AT A FACTORY HALF A MILE FROM JAIL.WE GOT IT GOOD HERE .YOU DONT KNOW HOW GOOD .I SEE CRIME HERE MOSTLY ALL DUE TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND LACK OF JOBS.THANK GOD YOU CAN WALK ANY STREET IN MASON CLEAR LAKE BE SAFE .THAT AINT THE CASE IN ,DC OR CHICAGO MURDER CAPITOLS .YOU SHOULD THANK GOD FOR THIS PLACE AND IF YOU SEE SOMETHING 911
You have no idea what your talking about. Your saying the Sheriff works 9-5?? Buy yourself a scanner and listen when 17-01 goes 10-41 and 10-42. If Sheriff Pals isn’t the hardest working law enforcement officer in this county I don’t know who is.
Thats why every single day on my way home from work i pass him on his way home exactly same time every day, 4:45. I will start keeping track for you.
KJD I have to agree with you. In addition to being called out at all hours of the day and night, there have been many instances of him reporting criminal activity on his “off time”. MCPD chief has done much the same thing.
All it amounts to is there is a little favoritism going on down at the pd, wait….I mean a shit ton of favoritism. There is no way they cant fill 4 officer jobs there are people out there looking for jobs, all it amounts to is the chief and the mayor are running out of friends, plain and simple.
Sorry old sock, but first you have to qualify as a candidate for police officer. Then comes training and more of it. I rather doubt that 50% of the population would make it past the screening, and just as many would rather not have that job, no matter what it paid.
Just remember:
You can’t be bitchin if you are a snitchin.
I wonder how many pictures of the Mayor, Council and City Hall they are going to get with the new picture program where if you see a problem you take a picture of it and send it in? Seems like City Hall would be a good place to start.
I could flood them with pictures. 15 to 20 drug deals a day and at least 1 and some time 2 large drug deals go down in plain sight a month. I thought kids didn’t like back packs, now that schools out watch and see how many kids are running around with them especially in the North end. A kid with a back pack at 10 pm is not coming from the library. Standing around yelling n**** this n**** that. Put a bullet in a mother f***** n****s head and kill that n**** out right. All of this going on 1 block from the police chefs house and he asks like there is nothing going on, please.
Nobody talks, everybody walks.
I watched a 12 year old kid in front of my house move a gun from his back to his side. I called the police, I seen the same kid and hour later. I find it hard to believe they even stopped him or else I would not have seen the kid an hour later. This happens all too much in this town. We had the police come around taking a servey of our area and the officer said herself they are short handed and at any given time they have only 4 cops on duty and one supervisor when needed. So cut the town in 4 parts that is a lot of area to cover for one cop. Lived here all my life and now thinking of selling our house and moving away. Not because we are scared but because we do not like the way the city is going and with the leadership we have and have had it will never get better. Some my say well change it, you can’t it’s the good old boy club and if your not part of it your not getting in.
I like you. You are right.
They say that this is a “perceived crime outbreak”. There is nothing ‘perceived’ about it. We have a serious crime problem that is about to explode. I am leaving soon, but I am fearful for people that continue to live here because the establishment is in denial. Make sure your home is well protected. I will make sure mine is. Honestly we cannot expect the police to be there at our beck and call. There is simply not a large enough police force in MC.(and there won’t be) I am not suggesting we become freaks in the way we live our lives. But you know when your neighbors are violent… Please report them. The police blotter is filled with underage parties and what-not, I couldn’t care less about that, honestly busting those sends them further into nowhere, and then we wonder why so many of our young women are sexually abused. Instead I suggest we as a people help get these, villains under control.
Terribly placed comma. My apologies.
You know snitching doesn’t do anything, I caught someone in my garage , I tied him up and pistol whipped in for 30 ,mins and just was good enough i think that guy will think twice about going into another garage… Cops dont do anything take it into ur own hands…
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!! You are either full of crap or a moron
I’ve heard they can’t retain good officers!! They leave because of the hypocrisy and favortism of the leaders. A Sgt and 2 good cops just resigned!! Something amiss there!
Ripping the cops is so easy for some of you. How many of you would have the balls to even put on the uniform. Go ride with some cops and watch what they have to do daily, than come back and say how dumb they are and how easy the job is. Get a clue people. Ppl usually are not committing crimes right in front of police. Usually witnesses are needed for convictions. This is not CSI.
How about a voice mail that was left on a cell phone of the death threat that a cop heard? Isn’t that enough?
I spent a year policing a warzone… does that count? We pay these guy’s salaries, we definitely have a right to complain when we think their performance is sub-par.
The police in this town are a pathetic joke. They rely far too much on snitches to do their job. Two felonies will get rid of one of yours they say. Do your jobs mcpd. Quit putting others in danger because of your incompetence.
Agreed the cops are a joke. In my opinion they don’t protect the innocent how I feel they should. Some ones being stalked. They don’t seem to care. Someone threatens to kill you. Oh well. All they tell the person making the threats don’t contact them again. Guess the cops need a body bag before some thing is done about the violence in this town. Calling a innocent person something they are not. They dont do anything. It’s called slander and it’s against the law last I checked. Maybe SOME of these new cops need to learn from cops like officer Hewitt and sherriff Kevin Pals.
Our so called Mayor is such a smuck, why not tout our cities neighborhood watch program instead of saying people who inform law enforcement of a crime are snitchin. It is the bar mentality I tell ya.
It’s “Schmuck”… not “Smuck.”
You know the city shouldnt have to count on the citizens to be so called “snitches”. If the city is short officers….why dont you let some people apply for the jobs, pretty simple. Cant remember the last time i heard they were looking for officers. I know there are a few people out there who would love the opportunity to join the pd and make a difference around here. Tell me where to sign up. If your short and bitching about it then heres your chance, let us know. Otherwise dont say you cant find any good candidates, just because they dont hang out with the police cheif or mayor or memebers of the council doesn’t mean there not good.
They just did a test in May. I think it takes some time to do the background checks and all that. Otherwise you just missed it.
for Mason city to be a safer place to live we do need people to step forward and talk with law enforcement when they see or hear something that is criminal. Even with 4 more officers you can’t expect them to be everywhere at once. I don’t think it is very fair to them to think that they can stop crime. I do think it is fair to think that with our help that they can solve a crime.
I HAVE CALLED THE PD TO REPORT GOINGS ON THAT SHOULD’T BE AND THEY DID NOT MAKE A MOVE TO RESPOND TO ANYTHING. I DON’T HAVE MUCH FAITH OR RESPECT FOR MANY OF THEM. I THINK THE WHOLE PD NEEDS AN OVERHAUL.
Oh, and the “snitching” comment by the Mayor.
Juvenile!
How is it that the Police Department is 4 men short?
Are the people not on staff at the PD those that were hired as temp workers with Federal Dollars and now that the Federal Dollars have run out have been let go?
If that is the case then I would not say they are 4 short. On the other hand if the City Council has downsized the Police Department with budget cuts then I would like to know that.
Again, if the Police Chief would explain the 4 shout comment we all would appreciate it, including what department they work in.
Watchdog, I am told that the MCPD is having trouble finding good candidates. I am not sure if it is a funding issue on top of that.
I would say the use of the term “snitchin'” was completely unprofessional and a very poor choice of words.
Youth who idolize rap artists and other celebrities who thrive and profit off of demeaning and demonizing law enforcement have worked hard to ingrain young people with the idea that it is wrong to inform a police officer when a crime has been committed. For the mayor to play along with this is odd and shows a lack of forethought.
A better choice of words from the mayor would have been: “If you see a crime or have information about a crime, please call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.”
I agree a VERY poor choice of a word.
Reggie, be careful, we are agreeing more and more these days!
yes there may have been a better choice of words, but Id bet the mayors words came out in a split second thought. while others have had some time to think it out. either way,or wording, everyone knows what was meant. and thats what really matters