Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project North announces 3rd annual art exhibit, "Art from Within"

Bemidji-The Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project North, of the American
Civil Liberties Union-Minnesota is pleased to announce the third annual "Art
from Within" exhibit. The Art from Within show features artwork that gives a
personal and compelling view into the lives of real people whose civil
liberties, protected under the Bill of Rights, have been challenged,
violated or tested in some way. Past exhibits highlighted the art of
individuals impacted by incarceration directly or indirectly. This year's
show will take place at the Bemidji Community Arts Center (BCAC) from March
2nd through March 31st with an opening reception on March 2nd from
4:00-7:00pm.



Now in its third year, Art from Within provides an important venue for
American Indians as well as non-Natives who have been impacted by the
criminal justice system, to express their lived experiences through the
medium of art. This year's theme focuses on artists' feelings and
understandings about what the Bill of Rights means to them. First Amendment
freedom of expression is guaranteed for all who reside in the United States,
regardless of their civil status. Art is another way that those whose voices
are often suppressed can find an audience.



The call for entries is open to emerging or established artists. American
Indians from Minnesotan tribes are strongly encouraged to submit entries.
Applications are due by February 1st, 2012. Art from Within is made possible
by Region 2 Arts Council, Blandin Foundation, and the Cy and Paula DeCosse
Fund. For more information, please visit:
http://www.aclu-mn.org/issues/racialjustice/greaterminnesotaracialjust/gmrjp
north/newsfromupnorth/



The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is a non-profit,
non-partisan organization dedicated to defending and expanding individual
rights and personal freedom.  The ACLU is the nation's foremost guardian of
liberty. The ACLU-MN fights to protect civil liberties of Minnesotans
through litigation, public education, and lobbying. The Greater Minnesota
Racial Justice Project North provides public education regarding racial
justice issues through community outreach, court-monitoring, and intake
services.

Contact: Cory Cochrane, ACLU-MN, Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project
North, at 218-444-2285

Beltrami County Sheriff Phil Hodapp Statement on Search and Rescue

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

Recent ice rescues of fisherman from floating ice sheets on lakes across Minnesota, and particularly in Beltrami County, have generated much conversation in our area.  Among a variety of questions directed to me I'd like to explore the following:

• Who bears the cost of rescue or recovery missions for people who take extraordinary risks?

• And more directly: should policy be written to hold people accountable who put themselves at risk — fisherman on thin ice, hunters and hikers lost in the woods,  ATV and snowmobile accidents or medical events that occur in remote areas — and that result in an inordinate expense to taxpayers?

Recently two ice rescues were conducted in Beltrami County. The cost to local taxpayers came into question. Together, these two searches cost approximately $1000. The cost to taxpayers was minimal because these rescues occurred when on-duty personnel were able to respond efficiently and the situations resolved speedily and successfully.

Critics argued that one of these rescues involved off-duty local peace officers who, because of their employment, should be billed for the taxpayer costs associated with their rescue. Of course, both individuals are taxpaying Beltrami County residents and are certainly entitled to the same rescue efforts as any citizen.  Would this have mattered if their employer weren't law enforcement? Who among us intends to be the focus of search and rescue efforts?

Our county has been compared to other counties in the Western United States where hikers and mountain climbers go missing or become stranded requiring monumental search and rescue efforts on the part of Sheriff's Offices and Search and Rescue (SAR) Organizations.  In some of these areas, hikers and climbers are charged fees before they embark on their adventures, helping defray the costs of search and rescue missions.  

Research of data from some Sheriff's Offices in the western states indicates several departments mount rescue efforts more than 120 times per year. On average, some of these agencies mount rescue missions every three days.

The searches — often conducted for lost hikers and mountain climbers in rugged, heavily wooded, mountainous terrain — are typically protracted and costly, requiring the use of aircraft to aid in the search efforts.  It makes sense, for adventurers in these remote and dangerous areas, to pay a "fee-for-use" to help defray the costs borne by these agencies and taxpayers.

Included in the powers and duties imposed on Sheriffs by Minnesota Statute 387.03 is a requirement to conduct search and recovery efforts for drowned bodies and searches for lost persons. The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office is able to perform this mission admirably through a team effort that includes professional law enforcement officers, Emergency Medical Personnel, volunteer and professional Firefighters, and a large cadre of volunteers in the Sheriff's Posse, Community Guard, Lakes Area Dive Team, Paul Bunyan Amateur Radio Club and Civil Air Patrol who are trained in search and rescue techniques.  If needed, we can access additional manpower and air support from several state and federal agencies.

Searches that become protracted due to inability to quickly locate the victims require additional man power and a tremendous volunteer effort. These often escalate costs, which taxpayers bear. Because of this, some argue strongly that county taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill when people place themselves at risk where an expensive and protracted rescue effort is required to save them. It has been suggested Beltrami County look into the possibility of creating some type of fee structure to cover these events.   

An examination of the historical records in the Beltrami Sheriff's Office for the last five years reveal approximately six-to-eight searches and rescues are conducted annually.  Of these, only one or two are protracted or develop into more than a "routine" search effort.

Because of the relative infrequency of dramatic SARs required of the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, the "Search and Rescue fee" doesn't make sense.  How do we establish a policy and promote a sustainable system that will assess and monitor the thousands who live and visit here to snowmobile, hike, fish, and hunt in our county's vast wooded areas, streams, lakes and trails?

The historically minimal cost for these searches is rightfully born by county tax payers rather than by an elaborate fee structure with the consequent administrative duties and expensive enforcement functions required to administer a "fee-for-service" plan.

That said, remember: if your child is missing, your brother finds himself lost while hunting, or your father wanders away from a resort because he suffers Alzheimer's disease, you will want me to deploy every resource available to find them. And I will. We do this because it's the law.  Mostly though, we do it because we care.

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Beltrami Sheriff Graduates from FBI National Academy

Beltrami Sergeant Jason Riggs graduates from FBI National Academy

On December 16, 2011, Beltrami County Sheriff Sergeant Jason Riggs was one of 266 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy program at Quantico Virginia.  The 247th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states.  Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 25 international countries, 3 military organizations and 6 federal civilian organizations.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy program held at the FBI Academy, offers 11 weeks of advanced investigative, leadership, management and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies.  On average these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive level positions.  

Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.  National Academy students earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia during their training.  

Less than 5% of all law enforcement officers in the United States of America are ever offered an opportunity to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy.  Since the FBI National Academy began in July 1935, a total of 45,297 officers have graduated from the program.  Sgt. Riggs joined the ranks of current Sheriff Phil Hodapp, past Beltrami Sheriffs John Cahill and Tom Tolman and former Chief Deputy Ron Otterstad  - all graduates of the FBI National Academy.

       

    

      Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE INVESTIGATING ASSAULT OF A THREE MONTH OLD CHILD

      On Monday, January 2, 2011, at approximately 10:30 PM, The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office responded to the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center after learning that a three-month-old baby girl had been brought to the Emergency Room with serious injuries. Originally, the incident that may have resulted in such injuries was thought to have occurred in Hubbard County but investigation revealed that the actual location was the 19000 block of Mission Rd SE, located in Ten Lakes Township, approximately 15 miles east of Bemidji, in Beltrami County.  Deputies learned that the child was in the process of being flown to the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, due to the critical nature of the injuries.

   Deputies are continuing the investigation into this incident to ascertain the details of what occurred at the residence where the family was staying. At this point the investigation continues with no further information available.