SLCPD K9 Team Named Top Agency at 2009 K9 Trials

With seven individual trophies and high scores in multiple events, the Salt Lake City Police Department’s K9 team earned Top Agency honors at the 19th Annual Las Vegas Metro K-9 Trials October 24–25, 2009.

K9 Officers Cale Lennberg/K9 Troll and Tony Brereton/K9 Jinx competed against 40 other teams from five western states and an international team from Mexico. Events building searches, open area searches, tactical obedience, agility/obstacles, apprehension/bite work, and narcotics searches.

Officer Lennberg and Troll won 2nd place overall for Top Dog, two 4th place trophies for narcotics, a 2nd place trophy in Top Narcotic Dog, and a 4th place trophy in tactical obedience. Officer Brereton and Jinx won 2nd place in the building search event and 2nd place in tactical obedience. With a combined seven individual trophies and high scores in five of nine events, the SLCPD team took home the 1st place Top Agency trophy this year.

Over the last six years, Salt Lake City Police K9 teams have competed in four Las Vegas Metro K9 Trials. Of those four trials, the Salt Lake K9 team has won 1st place Top Agency three times and 3rd place Top Agency once.

In Memoriam: Officer Harold A. Peterson Jr.

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer Harold A. Peterson Jr., killed in the line of duty October 27, 1954.

Officer Peterson was killed in a traffic accident. At approximately 10 a.m., the 54-year-old victim was patrolling on his three-wheel motorcycle. As he entered the intersection of 1300 South and 1300 East, a vehicle driven by an elderly man turned in front of him.

The collision knocked Officer Peterson from his motorcycle, dragged him more than 30 feet, and pinned him beneath the vehicle. He died of severe head trauma.

Officer Peterson was married and the father of a son, who later became a Salt Lake City police officer. He is buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

If you have memories or photos of Officer Peterson to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

SLCPD Public Safety Tip:

Despite Cold Weather, Leaving Car Unattended To Warm Up Invites Crime

With the advent of winter weather, the Salt Lake City Police Department would like to remind citizens that leaving a car unattended while it warms up makes them a target. Be alert to this fact; don’t become a victim of car theft. The convenience of the practice also makes it easy for thieves to steal vehicles and the valuables inside them. More safety tips can be found on the official SLCPD Web site: http://www.slcpd.com/getinformed/infobrochures.html.

In Memoriam: Officer William Cooke, Killed in the Line of Duty 151 Years Ago

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer William Cooke, killed in the line of duty October 18, 1858.

Officer Cooke was the first Utah police officer to be murdered in the line of duty.

On the afternoon of October 13, the 55-year-old victim was on duty and alone at the city jail. Two men came to the jail and demanded the release of an inmate. When Officer Cooke refused, one of the men shot him in the thigh. Officer Cooke died five days later.

The killer fled Salt Lake City. He was shot and killed October 21, 1858, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming, by a Salt Lake mail carrier familiar with the murder.

Officer Cooke was married and the father of six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have family history or photos of Officer Cooke to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

Police Department Completes ‘Neighborhood Operation’ in Glendale

Multiple units deployed on broad spectrum of public safety issues

The Salt Lake City Police Department today announced the successful completion of a “Neighborhood Operation,” a special project designed to deploy law enforcement resources on a broad spectrum of public safety issues in a specific area.

“We chose Glendale for a Neighborhood Operation, which is designed to respond to crime trends noted by the community and police officers,” said Chris Burbank, Chief of Police. “We learned a lot from this operation that will serve us well as we continue to work with other neighborhoods to address crime and public order issues in the future.”

The Police Department conducted its latest Neighborhood Operation October 8-10, 2009, in the area bordered by North Temple to 2100 South/State Road 201 and Interstate 15 to Redwood Road. Based on information gathered from Community Council meetings, constituent liaisons in the Mayor’s Office, tips from the Department’s Drug Hotline, and intelligence vetted by the Salt Lake Information Center, officers were able to make 23 felony and 28 misdemeanor arrests.

Neighborhood Operation Stats:

• 27 gang field cards
• 16 warrants served
• 1 firearm seized
• 266 traffic citations
• 37 vehicle impounds
• 9 DUI arrests
• 6 schools/2,050 kids visited by SLCPD

Other Highlights:

• Narcotics Unit reported that at least one drug dealer noticed the high level of police activity and chose to stay away from the area.
  
• SLCPD in conjunction with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, West Valley City Police Department and West Jordan Police Department served 7 search warrants and arrested 7 individuals regarding a long internal theft of high-value metals.
  
• In addition to traffic citations and impounds: 4,000+ License Plate reads, 1 stolen recovered vehicle, and 1 stolen license plate on a moving vehicle.
• Joint Criminal Apprehension Team detectives arrested 5 violent felons from the warrant sheet.
• Narcotics and Fusion Bike Units closed 27 narcotics intelligence reports. One report led to 4 felony arrests, 1 misdemeanor, and the seizure of 3 grams of methamphetamine and 1 ounce of cocaine.
  
• Special Victims Unit had 2 felony arrests. They were assisted by 4 agents and a supervisor from Adult Probation & Parole.
  
• Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division netted 21 citations, 1 felony drug arrest (heroin), 1 failure to yield arrest, 1 impound, 1 stolen car recovered, and 4,268 License Plate Reader reads.
  
• The Vice Unit made 14 misdemeanor and 4 felony arrests (10 males sex solicitation, 4 females sex solicitation), plus 4 felony drug arrests. The squad seized 11 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of cocaine.

The Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this Neighborhood Operation: Utah Highway Patrol, Adult Probation & Parole, US Marshals Joint Criminal Apprehension Team, West Valley City Police Department, West Jordan Police Department, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement, and Mobile Neighborhood Watch.

In Memoriam: Officer David H. Crowther

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer David H. Crowther, killed in the line of duty October 12, 1923.

Officer Crowther was shot to death by a transient. A search was launched when he failed to return home from patrol the previous night. At 10:00 a.m., the body of the 45-year-old victim was found on a bank of the Jordan River, three blocks from his home. He had been shot once in the head with a .32-caliber pistol. The officer’s vehicle, handgun and watch were missing.

On October 16, 1923, three men driving Officer Crowther’s bloodstained vehicle were arrested in Ludlow, California. The men were extradited to Utah, charged, tried, and found guilty of robbery and murder. Two of the men were eventually paroled. The suspect who shot Officer Crowther was executed at Utah State Prison in 1926.

At the time of his death, Officer Crowther was married and the father of three children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery. His nephew, Leonard C. Crowther, would rise through the ranks to become Police Chief.

If you have memories or photos of Officer Crowther to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

Latest Crime Stats Now Available

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Police Department posts updated crime stats once a month.

The September 2009 report separates crimes by type and community council. Click here to view the report.

Police Department, Merchants Join Forces to Address Illegal Drug Activity on 200 South

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department today unveiled a new public/private partnership to address illegal drug activity occurring along 200 South between West Temple and 600 West.

“It is unique solutions that will help us counteract illegal drug activity in this area,” said Chris Burbank, Chief of Police. “We are exploring offers from businesses in the area to utilize surveillance technologies,” he said.

Once surveillance cameras went into Pioneer Park in February 2009, merchants began reporting an increase in illegal drug activity. Since that time, the Police Department has conducted an average of two street operations a month, resulting in 425 felony arrests for drug solicitation or distribution in the area west of Pioneer Park and along 200 South. Merchants in the area tell police their customers have taken notice.

“The drug dealers and buyers leave behind their needles and other drug items, which my customers see and tell me about. I worry customers will be intimidated and stop coming here, and that’s unacceptable,” said Enes Huskic, who owns Toasters at 151 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City, and supports law enforcement efforts on 200 South.

Jay Bollwinkel, whose urban design firm MGB+A The Grassli Group is located at 145 W. 200 S., has offered to host a surveillance camera on his building to support enforcement efforts. “I just want our customers and employees to feel safe coming here, and right now I can’t say that’s always the case,” he said

Chief Burbank said the Police Department continues to seek creative public safety solutions, especially those in which the community may play an active role. He asked merchants and downtown residents to report drug-related activity by using the Department’s confidential drug hotline, (801) 799-DRUG (3784).

As always, in case of emergency, call 911, while non-emergency calls for service should be directed to (801) 799-3000.

Note: Click here to see video of today's press conference.

Theft Ring Dismantled by County-Wide Operation

SALT LAKE CITY – Oct. 8, 2009 – This morning the Salt Lake City Police Department, West Jordan Police Department, West Valley City Police Department and investigators from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office served six search warrants throughout the Salt Lake Valley and arrested several individuals involved in the theft of high-value metals. Western Metals Recycling and Kennecott Utah Copper Security also assisted with this operation and the underlying investigation.

Arrested were:

• Guillermo Lopez
• Jose Antonion Arteaga
• Jose de Jesus-Ponce
• Richard Montano
• Guadalupe Lopez-Espinoza

Some of the arrested persons were employees of Western Metals Recycling. Their job was to retrieve scrap metal from Kennecott Utah Copper and take it to Western Metals Recycling. The suspects stole metals owned by Western Metals, and also diverted metals intended for Western Metals. Information reviewed by investigators indicates that this scheme has been ongoing for at least the last four years. Early estimates place the value of the loss at more than $700,000.

Possible charges include theft, money laundering, pattern of unlawful activity, and theft by deception – all felonies with the potential for significant prison sentences.

“This investigation started several months ago when Western Metals notified the metals theft task force of a possible ongoing criminal enterprise,” said Fred Burmester, Deputy District Attorney. “At that point several law enforcement agencies, Western Metals, Utah Metals, Kennecott and the DA’s Office began working together to investigate and bring about the dismantling of a major scrap metal theft ring.”

The District Attorney’s Office wishes to thank all those involved for the many hours and resources they dedicated to this cooperative effort.

Note: This press release was issued today by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and reposted here as a courtesy.

Police Department Joins Disney, Smith’s in Food Drive for Utah Food Bank

One-day effort nets 12,000 lbs. of food donations




Photo: Smith's bagger Taylor (left) faces off with Sgt. Fred Ross. Fox 13's Big Budah counts it down.


SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department, Smith’s Food & Drug, The Utah Food Bank and Disney On IceSM presents Princess Classics today joined together for a food drive to benefit families served by Utah Food Bank Services.

The public was asked to donate 10 canned food items in return for one free pass to the opening night performance of Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics, playing at the Energy Solutions Arena, Wednesday, November 11–Sunday, November 15, 2009. Donations were collected all morning at the Energy Solutions Arena. The overwhelming response resulted in the record-setting collection of approximately 12,000 pounds of food for the Utah Food Bank.

Officers also participated in the “Badges VS Baggers” competition, a showdown between the best food baggers from Smith’s Food & Drug and volunteer police officers. What the baggers didn’t know was that Sgt. Fred Ross of the Salt Lake City Police Department was the 1984 statewide food bagger champion. He walked away with the winning bag-time of nine seconds and dozens of tickets for kids at The Road Home family shelter. Escorted by officers, they will now have the opportunity to attend the Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics opening night performance and attend a special meet-and-greet with Disney’s Princess Belle and Princess Cinderella November 11.

The Salt Lake City Police Department has been taking part in this annual food drive for 10 years.

In Memoriam: Officer Charles C. Riley

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one its own: Officer Charles C. Riley, killed in the line of duty October 5, 1909.

Officer Riley was shot and killed while escorting a suspect to jail in Salt Lake City. A reserve officer, the 34-year-old victim had located two suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred just minutes before.

Officer Riley and his prisoners were walking northbound on State Street at approximately 180 South when one of the men produced a pistol and shot the officer twice. The crime occurred in full view of a large crowd of patrons at the Orpheum Theater.

The men fled but the shooter was later captured and convicted of first-degree murder. He was paroled in 1920.

Officer Riley was married and the father of a young daughter. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have memories or photos of Officer Riley to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.