Crystal City police detail recent arrests, introduce new officers and explain Flock license-plate cameras

The Crystal City Police Department on June 24 briefed the City Council on a string of incidents in early June, introduced four recently hired officers and described how Flock license-plate cameras have aided investigations.

Chief of Police (name not stated) told the council the department had been recognized among the 20 safest cities in Missouri, ranking 16th. He summarized notable incidents from the first 10 days of June: two felony possession arrests for methamphetamine, multiple crisis-intervention responses for suicidal subjects, an assault of a nurse at Mercy Hospital Jefferson, a parental kidnapping report, and several DWIs — one involving a 6-month-old infant in the back seat. The chief said these 13 incident reports were only a portion of the department's activity and that the department had handled 1,713 calls for service as of his statistics pull.

"It's important to know that there's a lot going on within the police department at all levels and positions to keep the operation running properly and to keep our citizens and town safe," the chief said.

The chief introduced four officers in a brief "know your patrol" segment. He said Patrolman McKenna (introduced as a recent academy graduate and top recruit) is currently in field training; Patrolman Sam Wheezy (aka "Smiley") was recognized as officer of the year for leading in multiple enforcement categories; Patrolman Curtis James was noted as a field-training officer who recently received a crisis-intervention award; and Sergeant Kyle Boer — rehired and promoted earlier — was described as the training and firearms instructor who coordinates school and church safety efforts.

Council members asked for clarification about "Flock" cameras after the chief referenced an arrest that began with a Flock alert. In response, the chief described the system as a privately operated camera network that photographs license plates and can send alerts to local dispatch when a plate of interest passes. He said a Flock alert helped officers locate a vehicle tied to a $40,000 warrant and that the system has already yielded multiple investigative leads in the area.

The chief emphasized his appreciation for department staff and described plans to periodically present officers so council members could meet them. He also acknowledged language- or translation-related challenges the department has encountered in recent calls.

The council did not take formal action on the police report; the presentation concluded with council questions and brief exchanges.