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Goodhue County proclaims National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week and Sexual Assault Awareness/Child Abuse Prevention Month
Summary
The county board approved two proclamations recognizing Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (April 13–19, 2025) and April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month; local advocates described services and a recent expansion of forensic exam capacity.
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners on April 1 unanimously approved two proclamations: one recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (April 13–19, 2025) and another designating April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month in Goodhue County.
Chad (last name not specified), representing the sheriff's office, presented the telecommunicator proclamation and noted the role of dispatchers as "the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services." Sheriff’s office remarks identified telecommunicators' contributions to apprehensions, fire suppression and patient care and singled out a recently retired employee, Wayne Boettcher, who will be honored by the Rotary Club for 34 years of service.
Sarah Kern, executive director of Hope Coalition, and a county prosecutor who has worked in sexual‑assault and child‑abuse prosecution since 1999 (name in transcript recorded as Aaron) presented the sexual assault/child abuse proclamation. Kern said Hope Coalition now provides forensic medical exams locally, noting the community previously required travel to Rochester or the Twin Cities for exams. "We have partnered with Saint Croix Valley SART and brought in the ability to provide exams at Hope Coalition's office on Old West Main Street," she told the board.
The board moved and seconded the proclamations and approved both by voice vote. Commissioners offered brief remarks thanking telecommunicators and advocacy staff for their work and the chair noted the value of the services and the community's reassurance that calls will be answered promptly.
Both proclamations are ceremonial recognitions meant to raise awareness and honor local responders and advocacy organizations; no county funding or new policy actions were attached to the approvals.
