Morrison County sheriff reports January jail, patrol statistics and highlights jail "rec" program; presenter plans to leave in June

Sheriff Sean Larsen and jail volunteer coordinator Tim Brummer updated the Morrison County Board of Commissioners on January jail and patrol activity and described the county’s long‑running rec (residents‑encountering‑Christ) program.

Larsen told the board the department handled 42 criminal complaints in January 2025, with 34 of those cleared, and that several categories of incidents dominated the month’s work: eight OWI/DWI incidents (seven alcohol, one drug), eight thefts and five disturbing‑the‑peace calls. He reported traffic enforcement totals of 271 citations in January and 220 citations in February.

Larsen said the county averaged about 20 local inmates in the jail and roughly 41 total inmates when out‑of‑county and Beltrami County inmates housed in Morrison County were included. He reported 43 out‑of‑county inmates for the month and said the county collected $35,420 for housing those inmates. On collections and booking fees, he said the jail collected $812 in booking fees for 60 bookings and that the per‑day out‑of‑county inmate rate had recently been increased to $25 per day.

Larsen summarized training and task‑force work: deputies completed coroner investigation training with the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office and the department participated in Central Minnesota violent‑offender and drug‑interdiction work with neighboring jurisdictions. He also said some declines in local drug‑investigation numbers were attributable to partner jurisdictions handling local drug cases directly, freeing Morrison deputies to focus on county work.

Tim Brummer described the county’s faith‑based rec program, which the presentation labeled a “rec” weekend. He said rec 53 enrolled 24 offenders who completed the program and that the program draws more than 40 volunteers for a weekend of classes, testimony and fellowship. Brummer described the program’s materials: prayer cards, scripture packets, a “we team” of roughly 10 volunteers who support the event, handmade crosses participants keep and certificates of completion. “It is so good,” he said, describing the program’s sustained volunteer participation and the number of returning volunteers who stay in contact with participants after release.

During the discussion, Sheriff Larsen told the board that Brummer has submitted a resignation effective in June and praised the volunteer coordinators; he said he hopes to find a similarly motivated successor to continue the program.

Commissioners asked about trends and the county’s contract with Beltrami County for inmate housing, which Larsen said ends April 1 and will be the subject of forthcoming contract negotiations. Commissioner Grama raised broader concerns about capacity in state and county jails and the long‑term prospects for housing and sentencing trends. Larsen said the department’s priority remains public safety and collaborative work with federal and regional partners when appropriate.