05-27-25 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 27, 2025 8 Councilmember Holden said RCSO enters the data that creates the hot file. Councilmember Monson said that is the BCA. Commander Hankee said RCSO sends information to the BCA. Councilmember Monson said the BCA has a database. She said they don't sit in the squad and type in the 6 digit license plate and search. They are pinged if a hot file is in the area and then RCSO goes to chase it. Commander Hankee confirmed. Councilmember Holden asked if that is true. Will they chase the car? Undersheriff Ramacher said the goal is to not chase. Councilmember Holden asked if they will run after every ping. Undersheriff Ramacher said they are notified that a car that they are looking for is in the area. Once they get the notification, they can use tactics to get the car stopped in a safe manner. Car chases do happen, but the goal is to minimize chases. This system is effective because it's a reactive system and then, once notified, we transition to using proactive tactics, rather than being surprised, unprepared and getting in a chase. The RCSO carjacking and auto theft team started three years ago. That team has made major strides in how the mitigate car chases. The entire department is being taught at program called "Smart Pursuits". They don't want to chase. They'll use LPR, trackers, drones, the State Patrol helicopter, they coordinate in order to prevent chases that could impact public safety. Councilmember Holden asked who receives the pings, is it just Ramsey County? Undersheriff Ramacher said whoever is on the Flock system. RCSO has to allow them to see the data. Once this system is in place, he anticipates Mounds View will ask to see the data. RCSO will allow it because it helps collectively keep the City safe. Councilmember Holden presented an example. Someone is driving on 96, passing through Arden Hills, heading towards Mounds View. Will Mounds View initiate the stop? Undersheriff Ramacher said it could be. He said Mounds View has 10-12 cameras in their city and they allow RCSO to see their data. Recently, two deputies got alerts on their phone. They coordinated with Mounds View and stopped the car without a chase and took someone into custody. That happened twice in an eight -hour shift. If an officer had just happened upon that vehicle, it could have turned into a chase. Councilmember Holden said we are getting more and more group homes, with increased police calls to those group homes. This has helped alleviate some of the issues we've had with those properties.