3.6. SR 02-20-2007
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Consent Februa 20, 2007
Item Description
Consider Resolution Su
Introduction
Sheriff Bruce Anderson has written a letter (attached) requesting that the Elk River City Council pass a
resolution supporting a three-county venture in building and staffing a new Regional Forensic Crime
Laboratory to be housed in the new Anoka County Public Safety Facility.
Discussion
Sherburne County is linking up with Wright and Anoka County as well as Hamline University to create a
regional crime lab that would service the three counties and local police agencies. Construction is
proposed to begin in 2007 with completion in 2009.
The need for this regional lab has been brought on by the tremendous backlog in cases at the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension Lab in St. Paul. Critical cases, such as homicides and other crimes of violence,
often require anywhere from three to nine months for lab results to come through. Other less serious
cases require even longer waiting periods.
As the Sheriff points out, this is not a negative reflection on the BCA, but rather a continued lack of
funding and resources in a state that is seeing ever increasing levels of serious crimes. A regional lab
would expedite the handling of serious cases, would provide a nearby location for us to deliver our
evidence to, and in terms of implementing new practices-the timing could not be more right. In Elk River
alone we have had to wait for critical DNA results in cases that have been very significant, impacting not
only the immediate victim, but the community as a whole.
Financial Impact
The resolution requested would lend the City's support to the tri-county request for a bonding bill that
would dedicate the funding needed for the regional facility. The Sheriff plans to fund the county portion
himself-there is no fmancial impact on our city of our residents.
Attachments
· Letter from Sheriff Anderson
· Resolution Supporting Bonding for the Construction of a Regional Forensic Crime Laboratory
Action Requested
Mayor and City Council adoption of the resolution supporting bonding for the construction of a regional
forensic crime laboratory as requested by the Sheriff.
S:\Cauncil\Palice\Banding for Crime Lab.dac
Council Action
Follow Up
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
S:\Council\Police\Bonding for Crime Lab.doc
January 30, 2007
Sherburne County
SHERIFF
BRUCE M. ANDERSON
TO:
Chief Dennis Ballantine, S1. Cloud Police Dep1.
Chief Dave Warneke, Princeton Police Dep1.
vChief Jeff Beahen, Elk River Police Dep1.
Chief Brent Baloun, Becker Police Dept.
Chief Sean Rifenberick, Big Lake Police Dep1.
FROM:
Sheriff Bruce M. Anderson
RE:
Tri-County Regional Forensic Crime Laboratory
The Sherburne County Sheriffs office, in partnership with the Anoka and Wright County
Sheriffs' offices, is proud to announce plans to construct a Regional Forensic Crime
Laboratory at Anoka County's new Public Safety Facility. Hamline University is also
included in the project and will use the facility to train students in forensic sciences.
Construction of the facility will begin in late 2007 with completion estimated for spring
of2009.
Sherburne County has a history of cooperative law enforcement efforts, including a
partnership with Anoka and Wright Counties to operate a regional juvenile detention
facility and regional medical examiner services. With this newest Regional Forensic
Crime Lab partnership in place, we are creating a model for providing law enforcement
services to local communities based on common needs, shared facilities, and an eye to the
future.
The need for a forensic crime lab facility is readily apparent if one considers the current
state of crime lab services in the metro area. As you are aware, the BCA' s case load is
such that processing of evidence routinely can take between three to nine months to
complete. Clearly, more evidence is being collected than can be processed at this single
facility.
The work of the BCA can in no way be diminished or criticized. Rather, the current
status of forensic analysis capability suggests that now is the time for new partners and
new practices in providing forensic service. Sherburne, Anoka, and Wright Counties are
joining together to fill this particular need and supplement the work of the BCA.
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
13880 Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330-4609
Area Toll Free Numbers:
Elk River - (763) 241-2500
Fax - (763) 441-7303
Other - 1-800-433-5245
MEM.EII
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Tri-County Regional Forensic Crime Laboratory
page two
The importance of this partnership project cannot be over-emphasized, and the timeliness
of it is apparent; therefore, I am asking that you request a "Resolution" be passed by your
city councils in support of this project. It is important to be able to show the support of
municipalities when the bonding bill is presented to the legislature, and I would very
much appreciate your help.
If you have further questions regarding this project, please call me at your convenience.
Sheriff Bruce M. Anderson
Arl-
.
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BMA/do
RESOLUTION 07-_
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BONDING FOR THE CONSRUCTION OF
A REGIONAL FORENSIC CRIME LABORATORY
WHEREAS, The City of Elk River Police Department and other local law enforcement
agencies often are hampered in their investigations by the backlog of forensic
cases on a Statewide level; and
WHEREAS, There is an immediate need for new practices and partnerships to be formed
to develop new alternatives to the current Statewide services; and
WHEREAS, Sherburne County Sheriff Bruce Anderson, accompanied by Anoka County
Sheriff Bruce Andersohn and Wright County Sheriff Gary Miller, have
developed a plan to construct a Regional Forensic Crime Lab at Anoka
County's new Public Safety Facility.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Elk River supports this joint
venture as a timely response to a critical issue with a regional solution for area law
enforcement, and further supports the bonding bill being presented to the State Legislature.
Passed and adopted this 20th day of February 2007.
Stephanie Klinzing, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk