HIGHLIGHTS – 2004:

The Wood County Sheriff’s Department provides service to the public through four divisions: Administration, Patrol, Jail, and Investigation.  The following are brief highlights of activities and services provided from all divisions and areas of specialization for 2004.

Administrative Division - Sheriff Kurt D. Heuer – Undersheriff Randy Rapp

• Came in under budget by $94,262.21

• Continued efforts and initiatives to address rapidly increasing jail overcrowding
• Sheriff Heuer served as Chairman on the Wood County Criminal Justice Task Force
• Electronic Monitoring Program and Day Report reduce jail bed days.  2004 savings $103,113.60 – increase of 154% compared to 2003
• Use of Video Arraignment reduces inmate movement to Wood County Circuit Courts and increases Court House and Court Room safety
• Completing State-wide Video Conferencing Initiative to reduce transportation costs
• Continued work with Public Property Committee, Courthouse Security Committee, Maintenance Department and Safety Department to address courthouse security issues
• Homeland Security efforts with Emergency Management, Health Department, CORE Planning Committee, local, state and federal law enforcement, fire and EMS
• Continued successful efforts with succession planning for sworn officers
• Continued efforts with Human Resources to correct ongoing staffing issues in corrections and dispatch.  Use of casual, part-time employees from Wisconsin Rapids Police Department Dispatch to help with Dispatch staffing shortage
• Dispatch moved from the jail to Emergency Management Incident Command Center
• Reduced jail related overtime
• Continued our partnership with Wood County Tavern League, Radio Cab, River Cities Cab, local law enforcement, local distributors and business to provide Wood County Safe Ride Program as a safe alternative to driving impaired
• Continued work with Communications Engineer on implementation of a new County-wide radio system
• Shared Dispatch Study continues to work towards combining three dispatch centers
• Neighborhood and Community Watch continues to provide a means for citizens to keep a watchful, helpful eye on their neighborhoods and assist law enforcement by immediately reporting suspicious activity.  This is a key component to Homeland Security
• Countywide support of Wood County Crime Stoppers has made this crime prevention initiative extremely successful.  The Citizen Board of Directors with the support of all Wood County law enforcement agencies has grown a well respected, trusted way of reporting criminal activity in Wood County.  Quick 50 has proven to be an extremely effective program in making our schools safer by reducing drugs, alcohol, weapons, and criminal activity through anonymous student reporting
• Sheriff Heuer served on the Governor’s Homeland Security Council as a First Responder Representative for Law Enforcement
• Undersheriff Randy Rapp announces his retirement after 29 yrs with WCSD.  Randy will retire March 31, 2005.

Patrol Division – Lieutenant David Laude

• Lt. Laude continues strong leadership in a very dedicated and responsive Patrol Division
• Coordinates 2004 Reserve Deputy Program and prepares 2005 hiring process
• Wood County Boat Patrol has a very effective 2004 increasing presence and activity on Wood County lakes.  39 participants graduated from the Wood County Boater Safety Program
• Snowmobile Patrol continues to maintain a safe snowmobile environment through fair, impartial, and aggressive enforcement as well as proactive education and partnerships with area clubs
• Wood County Special Response Team, originating in 1990, continues to provide 24 hr per day / 7 day per week / 365 days per year response to high risk incidents throughout Wood County and for Mutual Aid as requested
• We continue a comprehensive, intensive Range Program with 36 scheduled range sessions for officers, challenging them in numerous tactical settings as well as the integration of Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT)

§         Deputy Ray Starks, Canine Friday and Lt. Dave Laude continue an outstanding K9 Program.  Deputy Starks and Friday continue to be honored by their state-wide peers.  A successful track of arsonists for WRPD received K9 Track of the Year and the location of all the pieces of a gun used in a burglary received K9 Article Search of the Year. 

• The Sheriff’s Department’s OWI Video Camera Program continues to be an invaluable asset in our quest to remove impaired drivers from our roadways.  15 alcohol related arrests (51% decrease from 2003) were captured on video. Average B.A.C. was .173
• Our Native American Grant helps us to continue a very successful program giving us the ability to problem solve and create a positive presence with the Ho-Chunk Nation and Rainbow Casino
• Wood County Sheriff’s Department continues a proud tradition with its Reserve Deputy Program.  In 2004, Reserve Deputies continue to assist with Boat Patrol which has proven to be a great asset in our response to water related violations and safety issues
• The non-paid volunteers of the Wood County Sheriff’s Rescue continue to provide non-paid, dedicated rescue services to the citizens of Wood County.  WCSR responded to 108 emergency calls for service in 2004.  Rescue Technicians provide 26,944.5 volunteer hours in training, call-time and rescue response
• Seasonal Weight Enforcement on Wood County roads helps the Wood County Highway Commission maintain its roadways.  Arrests continue to increase each year.  770,800 pounds of overweight cargo was removed form Wood County Roads in 2004 and fines assessed to the violators were $89,858.78
• Numerous Access databases developed and maintained by Deputy Dean Berres have enhanced our tracking of numerous specialties, transports, and department-wide scheduling and have resulted in greater efficiencies
• Patrol Sergeant Tim Ward is promoted to Transport/Warrant Sergeant (2004)
• Deputy Randy Dorshorst is promoted to Patrol Sergeant (2005)
• Training Sergeant Dave Ryun is promoted to Correction/Communications Lieutenant (2004)
• Investigator Scott Machotka is promoted to Training Sergeant (2005)

Jail / Dispatch Division – Lieutenant Mary Sambrook

• Lieutenant Sambrook and her staff continue commendable efforts in a division with great challenges
• Lt. Sambrook resigns for other employment and Dave Ryun is promoted to Corrections/Communications Lieutenant
• Transport/Warrant Sergeant Bob Rose retires (2004).  Patrol Sgt Tim Ward promoted to Transport/Warrant Sergeant (2005)
• Staffing in Corrections remains 6 short.  Operating with 18.  Need 24 to meet manpower study (1989)

• LiveScan purchased with Asset/Forfeiture funds for use by all local law enforcement agencies for out-of-custody use– located at Wisconsin Rapids Police Department
• Increased hours for the HSGED program – Inmate Education Program partnership with Mid-State technical College
• Clergy/Lay Ministry visits for inmates
• Wood County continues housing inmates to other counties due to jail overcrowding
• Average Daily Population (ADP) for 2004 was 163 inmates/day.  (10% increase from 2003)
• Discharge Planner continues positive impact on recidivism – Oversees Electronic Monitoring and Day Report programs
• Wood County Jail Health Program, HPL Dr. Brian Bohlmann and RN Michele Oleson continue positive impact on inmate related health issues
• Contract with Health Professional LTD for medical health care services including doctor visits to jail and pager availability 24/7/365 continue positive trend in controlling inmate health related costs.  Safe Keeper inmates in Waupaca and Adams County covered by our HPL contract
• Medical visits outside of the jail reduced
• Electronic Monitoring Program expanded with positive results
• Day Report Program expanded and used extensively by defendants on EMP and also Probation and Parole
• Total transports were 861. Total mileage was 93,076.50 and total officer time was 4,012 

Investigative Division – Lieutenant Robert Levendoske

§         Lieutenant Levendoske continues a strong dedication and focus to a busy Investigative Division and related initiatives such as Central Records transition to CIS and work with WIJIS (Wisconsin Justice Information Sharing)

§         Continue oversight of policy development, review and updates

§         Maintains coordination and oversight of WCSD’s Marshfield office

§         Crimestoppers has 19 payouts for information leading to the arrest of 35 people for felony and misdemeanor criminal activity

§         Increase in Sexual Assaults, Robberies, Burglaries, Thefts and Arsons.  Decrease in Assaults and Motor Vehicle Theft

§         Slight decrease in incidents reported for 2004

§         71.7% of all cases reported to WCSD are closed in 2004

§         Recovered property increases to 52%

§         Arrests - 13% increase in Disorderly Conduct, 11% decrease in Batteries, 48% increase in Burglaries, 35% increase in Theft, 5% increase in Criminal Damage to Property, 356% increase in Child Sexual Abuse and 11% increase in Domestic Abuse arrests

§         Wood County Arson Investigation Task Force continues outstanding investigative partnerships and award scholarships to youth interested in law enforcement and fire investigations

§         Calls for service (CAD) increase 6%

§         Investigator Scott Machotka is promoted to Training Sergeant (2005)

Deputy Dean Berres is promoted to Investigator – Computer Crimes (2005)