Life Saving Citation presented to Officer Bryan Kotschevar

In the early morning hours of April 4th, 2021, Goodhue County dispatch received a call of a roll over crash on Highway 52 near County 1 Boulevard, in the southbound lane, in Leon Township. The caller stated a person was lying in the middle of the road and thought there were two more possibly ejected from the vehicle.

The first person on scene was citizen and off duty officer Bryan Kotschevar. Upon stopping at the scene, Bryan immediately assessed it and began to administer aid to the male occupant lying in the roadway who had two severe injuries. Deputy Josh Kurtti arrived next and assisted with providing aid, securing a tourniquet to the leg and holding gauze on the victim’s head to attempt to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived on scene.

Other deputies, Minnesota State Patrol, and EMS continued to arrive on scene, began providing aid and helped in securing the roadway to EMS could continue its care for the victims. Sadly, the other victim did not make it and was pronounced dead at the scene. Once stable, the male victim was transported to an area hospital for care.

Bryan and Deputy Kurtti’s quick actions in rendering aid and applying the tourniquet helped save the life of the individual. They worked together and used their medical training to provide lifesaving care. For their actions, citizen and off duty officer Bryan Kotschevar is awarded the Citizen’s Medal of Commendation and Deputy Josh Kurtti is awarded the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Citation.

UMPD through (Intern)ational Eyes with Piadamoyo Chikate

Q: How many calls does UMPD get a year and what is the response time?

A: In January and February 2022 alone, UMPD has received 1500 calls and the response time is an average of 4:44 minutes for priority 1 calls. Annually, UMPD has an average of 20 000 calls on the U campus. Some factors that influence response time are the number of officers available, the number of incoming calls at the time of an incident and the number of officers needed to respond to a specific situation.

January Newsletter response from “student and community inquires”

Q: What percentage of the crimes reported actually gets resolved? For example, how many of the stolen phones and cars have actually been returned?

A: From the Investigations Supervisor, Jason Printz

Trying to get an exact percentage is very tough to do. There are too many variables involved to give an accurate statement and to give an exact number. Some of the variable include, but aren't limited to:

• Active vs. Inactive cases.  Active means the case is ongoing.  Inactive means that there are no leads, witnesses and no information we are able to follow up on.
• Whether a victim and witnesses cooperate with the investigation
• Whether the cases are charged by the City or County Attorney's office
• How long it takes the City or County Attorney's office to charge a crime
• If they are charged, whether the courts hear the case or dismiss it
• If they are heard in court, whether they are found guilty or not
• Offenders can be charged with one crime, but then charges can be dropped to a lesser crime.

If you have a question you would like me to answer, please submit them online here.

Crime Prevention & Safety Tips with Nick Juarez

Creating a safety plan is essential to help reduce the opportunity of a crime happening to you.  Most incidents are easily avoided with the right attitude; accept that a crime has the possibility to happen, resist rationalization and trust your instincts based on all the information you know about current crime trends and other possible risks in your area.

It is important to take the time to learn your strengths and weaknesses for yourself and your home/work.  “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not to fear the result of a hundred battles.  If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will suffer a defeat.  If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle” Sun Tzu, The Art of War “

• What are your strengths?
• Are you aware of current crime trends and potential threats in your area?
• Do you know how to call/text 911?
• Are you aware of the locations of blue phones around campus?
• Do you use 624-WALK?
• Do you carry a personal safety device (i.e., pepper spray, noise maker), and do you know how to use it?
• Do you walk with confidence?
• Are you aware of your surroundings and are you paying attention?
• Are you limiting distractions?
• Do you know how you will react when you are surprised or scared?

If possible, use your knowledge of potential risks and current crime trends to avoid situations that may put yourself into harm.  “The wise warrior avoids the battle” Sun Tzu, The Art of War

If you would like a safety presentation or would like to have a meeting with the Community Engagement Team, fill out a request at https://publicsafety.umn.edu/form/request-for-a-community-outreach.

Charges filed for Shower Peeping in UMN Housing by UMPD Investigations