CALLS, NARCOTICS RISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

A strengthened police force in 2007 led to better customer service in
Fergus Falls. In Otter Tail County, progress was made last year
curbing narcotics violations.

Three officers hired last year brought the Fergus Falls Police force
up to 23 full-time officers, allowing for three officers on duty at a
time, rather than two.

"We have more presence on patrol now and we're able to catch things
as they happen," Police Chief Tim Brennan said.

Backing up that statement, in 2006, officers responded to 9,016 calls
for service - that includes everything from traffic stops and
citations to domestic assaults. That number jumped to 10,671 in 2007.

"That's 1,655 more calls or contact that we have had with the
public," Brennan said. "The addition of more officers on the street
makes them more accessible or available to the public."

When that happens, residents are more likely to make a report. For
example, 59 domestic assaults and 70 verbal domestic incidents were
reported in 2006. In 2007, 64 domestic assaults and 96 verbals were
reported.

Technically, the department is still understaffed; state average
calls for 1.9 officers per thousand residents, which would mean 25 or
26 officers for Fergus Falls. Brennan is satisfied with the way
things are, though, and no officers will be hired in 2008.

"More attention is being paid to traffic issues and there's been more
thorough follow-up," Brennan said. "We're more able to respond to
calls now."

The average age of the officers ranges from the upper 20s to the
lower 30s.

"We have a young department now," Brennan said. "About six or seven
of them have three or four years or less of experience. We're going
to provide opportunities for more advanced training."

The battle against narcotics in the county will continue in 2008,
Sheriff Brian Schlueter said.

"We're going to continue to put in a lot of effort into that," he
said.

Comparing 2006 and 2007, "The investigations are becoming more
complex," Schlueter said. "Some cases involve several county
agencies. Some cases are more complex. Local meth labs have
diminished - which is a good thing - so drugs are coming from out of
state and Mexico."

In 2007:

47 drug dealers were arrested; four cases were waiting to be charged
out and there were active warrants for two individuals.

There were 494 grams of methamphetamine seized, with a $88,400
street value; 102 grams of cocaine, street $15,000 value; 8 grams of
crack cocaine, $800 value; 170 ounces of marijuana, $14,080 value.

15 guns; $39,000 in cash; and $15,000 in property were
seized.

In 2006:

There were 33 active drug cases -- 30 arrests and 13 waiting
trial.

There were 696 grams of methamphetamine seized, with a $125,280
street value; 15 pounds of marijuana, $28,800; 163 grams of crack
cocaine, $16,300; and 64.6 grams of cocaine, $9,690.

There were 17 guns; two vehicles; and $60,000 in cash
seized.

In overall calls for service, 17,689 calls for service were answered
in 2007, compared to 16,274 in 2006.

"We had a nicer summer and more people were out and around," Schlueter
said.

An a positive note, for the first time in a decade, no drowning deaths
were recorded in Otter Tail County.

"I think 1997 was the last time we had no drowning deaths," Schlueter
said. "With the number of lake properties in the county and the number
of lakes we have, that's a great statistic."