Crime & Safety

Oakdale Police Launch Pilot Program with New Patrol Vehicle

The Oakdale Police Department is testing out a new way to patrol the Oakdale Nature Preserve and city parks.

Oakdale Police won't be patroling the Oakdale Nature Preserve on foot or in their squad cars anymore.

The police department is piloting a new program this fall where officers can patrol the Oakdale Nature Preserve on a utility vehicle instead of on foot or in a squad car.

The department purchased the E-Z-Go Express L4 for $8,500. The utility vehicle will be used in the Nature Preserve. Depending on the success of the program the police department will potentially purchase a second vehicle to use at Walton Park and other parks in the city. 

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Oakdale's Community Service Officer Ken Meuwissan spearheaded the pilot program after receiving several phone calls about off-leash dogs roaming through the Nature Preserve.

"We got a lot of complaints about dogs off their leashes," Meuwissan said. "It was difficult to drive the (police) truck through here." 

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The utility vehicle is able to easily drive through the paved paths as well as maneuver off-the-trail paths throughout the park, Meuwissan said. 

"Before we would drive the truck through but you can't go off the paths," Meuwissan said. "Plus there is no interaction with residents (with the truck). Now when I drive through I almost always stop and talk with people who are passing by. It's great to have that interaction."

The vehicle will also be helpful for situations where residents might become distressed in the Nature Preserve and need assistance, said Community Affairs Officer Michelle Stark.

"This will give us the ability to go out front and address the issue," Stark said.

Since Meuwissan started patrolling the Nature Center in the vehicle there has been a positive response from the public, Stark said.

"So far the response has been phenomenal," Stark said. "They appreciate seeing us out there."

Though the vehicle is currently stationed at the Nature Preserve, officers can also drive it on the street. Stark said that it can be an asset to the Gateway Trail, Furlong Park and Oakfield Park, which has seen more police activity than other parks.

Both Meuwissan and Stark said the vehicle will be helpful during Summerfest, the Fourth of July celebration and other public events in the city. 

 

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