by April Scheinoha
Editor
The Thief River Falls City Council has given its stamp of approval for another governmental agency to join a regional law enforcement team. At its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 18, the council approved allowing Red Lake County to join the NorthStar Special Response Team.
The team currently includes law enforcement officers from the Thief River Falls Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Police Chief Mike Roff said the team trains monthly for high-stress, dangerous situations. Each agency provides officers and a $5,000 contribution to the team. The Red Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently asked to join the team. Roff said it is hoped that sheriff’s office will officially be working with the team by Jan. 1.
The council approved the adoption of an unmanned aerial systems policy for the police department. The policy was previously reviewed by Interim County Attorney Nathan Haase.
In June, the department received two drones granted to the department. One will be used for search and rescue incidents while the other will be used indoors during situations that would be too dangerous for officers.
Mayor Mike Lorenson raised privacy concerns about a section listing exceptions where UAS could be used without a search warrant.
Roff replied that the list was taken verbatim from state statute. He further indicated that, per state statute, the police department isn’t allowed to retain any data collected for longer than seven days unless it is part of a criminal investigation for which a search warrant was issued.
Council member Jason Aarestad noted that the Federal Aviation Administration will hold the police department to a higher degree for its usage of drones than others. He added that the police department can’t just fly the drones based on its own desire to do so.
City Council approved increasing the rates for the animal pound and all-terrain vehicle permits. Both rates hadn’t been changed since 2015.
Animal pound rates will now be $40 for the first day and $20 per day afterward for a maximum of a 10-day stay. If the owner hasn’t been found, the animal is often transferred to the Pennington County Humane Society.
Previously, those rates were $20 for the first day with $7.50 each day afterward with a maximum of a 10-day stay.
With regard to the ATV permits, the rate was changed from $10 for a three-year permit to $50 for a three-year permit.
The council approved spending about $3,700 for firefighter turnout gear. A Public Safety Aid grant will cover the purchase. Fire Chief Rick Beier indicated that the department replaces turnout gear every 10 years to comply with current National Fire Protection Association standards and replaces three sets each year.