A discussion about police assisting other agencies took place during the report on the Staples Police Department annual report to the city council.

Police Chief Kyle Huber's report showed that Staples officers responded 110 times in 2008 to assist other agencies. The department had 101 such calls in 2007 and 97 in 2006. The local officers responded 52 times in 2008 to assist Todd County deputies, 14 times to Wadena County calls, 16 times to Morrison County or Motley and 15 times for assists to the State Patrol. They went on Cass County calls nine times and had four other assists.

Huber noted this number of calls is often due to the geography, with the department often being called to

just outside the city limits

on a Todd County matter. "We're at the end of all the

counties. Motley could tell you the same thing.... Motley and ours have been a good back-up over the years. That could change, I've heard some talk about that over there."

"I don't want to say it would benefit Motley more than us because we utilize each other quite a bit. It is really nice because we are both up at the end of the county. So I hope they stay on track with that."

Huber, while noting all law enforcement officers can make arrests anywhere in the state, said that when Staples officers go outside the city, they are out of their jurisdiction. However, sheriff's deputies coming into Staples on a call are still in their jurisdiction, he said.

Stan Carlson, a council member, said he had no trouble with the department giving assistance to other departments. But he wondered if Todd County especially, benefitted from

have Staples officers to

respond to county calls. "They're depending on us

to provide an inordinate amount of backup to them but they don't provide that for us. Perhaps it behooves them to make some sort of contribution for that."

Huber responded rather than a financial arrangement, he would rather see a deputy living in this area. He has lobbied for sheriff's deputies to be stationed in the Staples area, rather than monetary support from the county. Both Todd and Wadena have had deputies in this area, but currently that is not the case, he intimated.

Mayor Chris Etzler triggered a good-natured back and forth ribbing about age levels among the council with comments brought on by Huber's figures on driving while intoxicated charges. They showed a significant decrease in 2008, with only 36 DUI arrests compared to 57 in 2008 and 60 in 2007.

Etzler voiced a feeling the younger generation is not as apt to drive after drinking. "I think my generation and younger has grown up with a pretty strict DWI enforcement...

"Here it comes," a gray haired Stan Carlson said, cutting him off.

"No, I just think," Etzler tried to respond, but a chorus of laughter showed the mayor had temporarily lost control of the meeting.

"Try to get out of this one," Joel Quance told the mayor. The mayor said he knows several people who are not willing to get in a car and drive home after a stop at one of the local bars. They would rather get a $10 ticket for their car being parked downtown, than face the hassle and expense of a DUI. Try as he might, the mayor could not get much sympathy from his older council members

Huber noted that roughly half of the people charged with DUI are reoffenders.

Huber credited his staff of five full time officers, five part timers and one full time secretary as being experienced and efficient. He said the SPD does all of its own investigations and each officer has developed their own specialty area. I'm very fortunate to have a very good staff," Huber said.

The past year saw increases in burglary and theft related items, which Huber feels is a "sign of the times."

Speeding tickets took a marked jump, (272 to 393) partially due to the new Highway 10 and the police making a special effort to keep the speed down on the four lane roadway, as directed by the council.

A full copy of the police annual report is available at the city hall or at the Staples Police station.