Minnesota law enforcement lending a helping hand in Iowa

Seth Wenig, Associated Press - Ap

Rick Blazek, 54, is escorted to a police car after being arrested for allegedly trying to drive around a security checkpoint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Monday, June 16, 2008. Frustrated residents expected to return to their homes today but the hazards encountered by inspection teams were deemed unsafe for the general public; it is anticipated that people will be able to retrieve items from their homes starting Tuesday.

By TIM HARLOW and ANTHONY LONETREE, Star Tribune

Last update: June 16, 2008 - 10:08 PM

Minneapolis police officers and Hennepin County sheriff's deputies have stepped in to help law enforcement in flood-ravaged Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

St. Paul police also were headed there this afternoon.

Jesse Garcia, a Minneapolis police spokesman, said that as of noon Sunday, Minneapolis Deputy Chief of Patrol Rob Allen -- along with one lieutenant, two sergeants and six officers -- were helping local police prevent theft and other crimes in areas of the Cedar Rapids where flood waters were beginning to recede and residents were being allowed to return to their homes on a limited basis.

Minneapolis police personnel were joined by 10 deputies and supervisors from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

In addition to the manpower, Hennepin County sent a mobile communications center equipped with a command post, radio tower, 118 portable radios to Cedar Rapids, said Tracey Martin, a sheriff's office spokeswoman.

More help is on the way, Garcia said, noting that Minneapolis is planning to send an additional 20 officers to help out.

Hennepin County also will send an additional 10 deputies this week, Martin said.

Just before noon today, a caravan of St. Paul police officers set out for what is expected to be a week-long assignment, said Cmdr. Todd Axtell, who is heading the detail. In addition to Axtell, the city's contingent includes three sergeants and 21 officers, he said. They were traveling in 12 squad cars and a large sport-utility-vehicle, packed with bottled water, uniforms, flashlights, batteries and knee-high boots. "We're all suited up and ready to go," Axtell said. "We'll hit the ground running." The officers also have brought along their sleeping bags, he added, because they don't know yet where they'll be staying. It's the last thing on their minds, however, he said. The first priority is to "dig in" to help their Iowa colleagues, Axtell said.

The deployment of personnel and resources comes as Minnesota and Iowa signed an Emergency Management Assistance Compact today. The compact provides a mechanism for states to help each other during times of need.

The extra hands and feet comes as Minnesota's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management sent staff and law enforcement officers to Iowa to help with flood relief.

Officials in Minnesota say Iowa requested the assistance on Sunday. Law enforcement officers, an Emergency Management Assistance Compact coordinator and experts will travel to Iowa today to work in the Iowa Emergency Operations Center.

Minnesota emergency medical services and fire support are also on standby.

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