Police report: loud‑music, unsecured businesses, e‑bike enforcement gaps; cross‑jurisdiction meeting planned

A city police representative told the council the department has been handling more summertime calls and reported two recurring problems: loud‑music complaints from close neighbors and unsecured business doors that leave properties vulnerable to break‑ins.

"We get loud music complaints coming out," the police representative said, and asked residents and business owners to "keep respectful" because neighbors are close. The officer said patrols have been checking commercial doors at night and securing doors that are left unlatched.

Festival incidents and staffing: The officer said the Spirit of the Lakes festival produced some juvenile incidents and a few assaults that were manageable but required officer time. Staffing is near full strength pending the onboarding of a recent hire; a Community Service Officer (CSO) cadet application process was open with a July 28, 4:30 p.m. closing date for the next recruitment round.

E‑bike enforcement gap and regional coordination: Council members and the police representative spent substantial time on electric‑bike enforcement. Officers said many nearby jurisdictions have local ordinances that allow citation or removal of e‑bikes in downtown areas, but Mound lacks an ordinance that gives officers explicit enforcement tools. "It would be nice to see the county come out with one that adapts to all of us," the police representative said, adding that countywide alignment would reduce confusion when riders cross city borders. The department plans to meet with Marsh Beard (3 Rivers representative), County Commissioner Edelson and mayors from neighboring cities to coordinate policy and enforcement.

Officer training and programs: The department said one officer (Officer Beck) recently completed the first week of field training and will begin the second week; Officer Schultz was singled out by council members for her efforts at festivals. The department also noted it uses a cadet or CSO program to recruit and train candidates who later join the force, and that some grant programs assist with training costs.

Social‑worker coordination and EMS response: The police representative confirmed the department's social worker remains on staff with a heavy caseload and said the police and fire departments coordinate on medical and storm‑related calls; when police cannot safely respond to a medical emergency, they request fire/EMS assistance.

Public expectations and next steps: Council members asked about whether a county ordinance could be pursued and how the city can coordinate with Three Rivers and the sheriff's office. The officer said the city will schedule a meeting with regional partners to seek a coordinated response and reminded residents that specific complaints are best handled by calling the police or sheriff so officers can log and respond.

Ending: The department's update closed with routine operational items — recruitment, festival staffing and neighborhood patrols — and with a pledge to pursue cross‑jurisdictional meetings on e‑bike enforcement and trail coordination.