Meeting Recap - May 10, 2016

Mary Stewart opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation.

 

Visitors today were Bob Jacobson, Marv Sorvala and Gordon Backlund. Gordon was here seeking donations to complete the funding for a major update of the Springbrook Nature Center. Renovation of the several areas of the park and a near doubling of the size of the interpretive center will make Springbrook a jewel among our region's parks. Options are available to donate Trees, Benchs,

Recognition Pavers and, of course, cash donations are always welcome. Visit the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation website to donate or get more information.

 

Jeff Benson welcomed his guest, Rich Kusich, President of MN Residential Mortgage. Rich is considering club membership.

 

Next week's program will be the Human Life Alliance of Minnesota, speaking about "The Truth of Compassionate Choices"

 

President Dana reported that her table location at the New Brighton Community Open House last Friday was right in the incoming traffic pattern which helped draw attention to all the great things Rotary is doing in this community. Thanks for being there, Dana!

 

George and Mark L. filled in for absent Fine-Master Jim K. with a nostalgic 50's era gas station trivia game. Unfortunately, almost everyone one of us was old enough to remember those days well, so the trivia challenges weren't too successful at bringing in much cash. Fortunately, there were plenty of happy fines to fill the jar.

 

Garry Johnson proudly announced that he's expecting two grandkids (different parents) in the next few weeks. He was positively beaming with anticipation.

 

Todd Kruse was back to the club today after two months of teaching a class for MNSCU at noon on Tuesday. Welcome back, Todd!

 

Bob Barmore celebrated his birthday with us today, looking as stylish as ever in his birthday hat (above).

 

Mary Stewart introduced our speaker, Melanie McMahon, Community Services Attorney with the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.  Melanie's topic was Motor Vehicle Theft.  Melanie began by reviewing national auto theft statistics. She noted that auto theft results in 4.3 billion dollars in losses in the U.S. each year. This is despite the fact that the number of auto thefts nationally is down 50% since 1995. Better anti theft capabilities built in to recent models is likely responsible for the reduction in thefts, and it would be tempting to think that it would be all but impossible to steal a newer car, but 70% of autos stolen were left unlocked and 25% had the keys left inside the auto. Melanie went on to say most cars are stolen at night from the street or surface parking lots, and both she and Public Safety Director Bob Jacobson stressed that the vast majority of auto thefts are crimes of opportunity and many or even most of these are directly or indirectly drug related. A common scenario would be a drug user seeing valuables visible in a car, trying the doors, finding them open and, perhaps, finding the keys in the car, making for an easy exit from the scene of the crime.  Melanie and Bob agreed that not many cars are stolen for parts or resale, but rather as a result of a spontaneous theft of belongings left in the car.

 

Melanie's job at Ramsey County is to gather, analyze and  disseminate car theft data to the county and other agencies to prevent auto theft. One of Melanie's especially useful tools is a map of auto theft hotspots to help the police in adjusting patrol frequencies and locations of special "bait" cars. Melanie's data also helps the Ramsey County Attorney's Auto Theft Unit to train law enforcement personnel about common methods used by car thieves and the best practices for auto theft investigations. You can get more information about the Ramsey County Attorney's Auto Theft Unit, click here. Bob, Dana and Melanie are shown below.