January 15, 2019

Starting Monday, January 21st 2019, police officers from the Richland Center Police Department, in cooperation with the Richland School District and St. Mary’s School, will be in 5th grade classrooms teaching CounterAct. CounterAct is a six-week program designed to bring police officers, schools and families together to help prevent children from using alcohol and other drugs and to help them avoid using violence as a means of solving problems. CounterAct brings specially trained police officers into the classroom where they can have a direct relationship with the students. In CounterAct, students learn specific, age appropriate skills that they can apply in real-life situations to make positive choices and resist the pressures to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking, smoking and using other drugs. CounterAct also emphasizes the importance of parents and family in the growth and social development of young people. The CounterAct program concludes with Parent’s Night which gives parents and other important adults an opportunity to learn what the students have studied during the five classroom sessions.

This year parent’s night will be on Monday, February 25th 2019, beginning at 7:00PM in the Doudna Elementary School gymnasium. All family members and interested persons are invited to attend. -END-

ADULT SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD RECOGNITION WEEK Adult School Crossing Guards play a critical role in keeping students safe as they walk to and from school each day. Adult School Crossing Guards place the children’s safety above their own while facing speeding motorists, cell phone users, and others disregarding traffic signals to ensure that all traffic is stopped before students enter the roadway The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland School District would like to inform the community that January 14th through January 18th, 2019, has been proclaimed Wisconsin Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week. It is important that we all take the time to say thank you to our local Adult School Crossing Guard, Bill Hall, who is tasked with the responsibility for the safe crossing of children near Jefferson Elementary. No matter if it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or 10 degrees below zero, Bill Hall never fails to do his duty. So next time you walk your child to school, or drop them off at the crosswalk, be sure to thank Bill Hall for watching out for your child. It is sometimes a thankless job, but rain or shine, he is always there.

RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release January 10, 2019

The Richland Center Police Department would like to alert area businesses and residents to watch for counterfeit $100 bills that may begin to appear throughout Richland and surrounding counties. On January 8th, 2019 at approximately 3:35 PM, Officers with the Richland Center Police Department received complaints of three counterfeit $100 bills being used at two local businesses within the City of Richland Center. At approximately 5:30 PM on January 8th, 2019 the Richland Center Police Department was made aware of a counterfeit currency investigation by Officers with the Muscoda Police Department. As a result of the Muscoda Police Department investigation, probable cause was established to arrest 36 year old Michael D. Streiff for crimes he committed in Muscoda. At approximately 10:00 PM on January 8th, 2019 Richland Center Police Officers located Streiff in the City of Richland Center, and through the subsequent investigation, Officers located 17 counterfeit $100 dollar bills in his possession. Through further investigation, it was confirmed that the three counterfeit $100 dollar bills that had been accepted at local businesses in Richland Center earlier in the afternoon, had come from Streiff and an accomplice. The serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills used at the local businesses were the same as the serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills found on Streiff’s possession. It is unknown at this time how many of the counterfeit $100 bills may be in circulation. On January 8th, 2019, Michael D. Streiff was arrested and transported to the Grant County Jail for charges related to the Muscoda Police Department investigation. Once Streiff’s Grant County court hearing is complete he will be turned over to Richland Center Police Department authorities and arrested for the following: Forgery (17 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule IV Drug, Possession of Prescription Drug without a Prescription, and Bail Jumping (10 counts). All Richland Center charges will be forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution. Chief Clements states, “The counterfeit $100 bills are obvious forgeries. They also have identical serial numbers of LB45440078L and are printed on distinctly thicker paper.” Chief Clements is urging people and businesses to pay close attention to $100 bills. The counterfeit bills can be detected with a currency detector pen and by taking an extra second to observe the front and back of the bill. Residents and stores are asked to carefully check bills when accepting money and turn in all suspected counterfeit bills to law enforcement as they are aware of the issue. Chief Clements states in addition to the great police work among neighboring law enforcement agencies, the Richland Center Police Department is working with the United States Secret Service to find the source of the counterfeit money. ###

Chief Lucas Clements of the Richland Center Police Department reports that, on 12-27-18, Officers made contact at a residence in the City of Richland Center over a reported concern that children were being exposed to methamphetamine, which was being used and distributed within the residence. Upon contact with the occupants of the residence, Officers found numerous children, including several toddlers and a baby. Officers also located several methamphetamine pipes, including one that still had smoke coming out of it. Further investigation discovered a baggie of methamphetamine and numerous items associated with methamphetamine usage and distribution, such as pipes, pipe cleaning items, syringes, snorting straws, scales, and repackaging baggies. As a result of the investigation, the following subjects were taken into custody. Hope M. Millard, 33 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect. Ronda K. Leffler, 53 of Richland Center, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Maintaining a Drug Trafficking House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Neglect. Derek J. McDiarmid, 25 of Blue River, was arrested and tentatively charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Child Neglect, and Felony Bail Jumping. All of the above listed drug related charges also carry a penalty enhancer because the offences took place within 1,000 feet of a park. All charges have been forwarded to the Richland County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. All juveniles in the house were examined by medical personnel before being released to responsible parties as determined by Richland County Child Protective Services (CPS). In addition to CPS, the Richland Center Police Department was assisted on scene by the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and Richland County EMS. Chief Clements states that this investigation was the result of a combination of consistent, sound law enforcement tactics conducted by Officers on patrol and a concerned citizen who was observant and reported their concerns to law enforcement. Chief Clements would like citizens to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activity, no matter how minor, noting that this case is a great example of how citizen involvement partnered with law enforcement can reduce crime within our community. Chief Clements added that this case was also a prime example of why the Drug Endangered Children program was adopted locally in 2016. Chief Clements explained that the Drug Endangered Children program is a State program designed to increase communication and efficiency amongst agencies vested in the protection of children. Any citizen who has information concerning any illegal activity is encouraged to call the Richland Center Police Department at 608-647-2103 or the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 608-647-2016. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583) and may be eligible for a cash reward. ###

Press Release – for immediate release 12-28-18 Child Welfare Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Press Release
November 12^th, 2018

 

TRAFFIC STOP ENDS IN ARRESTS, SEIZURE OF 40 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE

The Richland Center Police Department reports that two subjects were taken into custody on methamphetamine charges on Sunday, November 11^th.

Chief of Police Lucas Clements states that at approximately 9:00 p.m. on November 11^th Officers with the Richland Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle within the City of Richland Center for an equipment violation.

Upon contact with occupants of the vehicle, Officers identified a passenger as Joshua D. Clarke, 31, of Richland Center. Clarke was placed under arrest for an active felony warrant through the Department of Corrections. A search of Clarke, incident to his arrest, revealed several baggies of methamphetamine on his person, individually packaged for sale.

Through subsequent investigation, more methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located within the vehicle.

In addition to being arrested on the Department of Corrections warrant, Clarke was also arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, and nine counts of Felony Bail Jumping.

The driver of the vehicle, Taylor N. Stolpa, 19, of La Crosse was arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Restricted Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one count of Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.

Richland Center Police Department Officers were assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Clarke and Stolpa were transported to the Richland County jail, with charges for both being forwarded to Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper for prosecution.

Chief Clements states “I would like to point out the diligence and thoroughness of the work that Officers displayed throughout this investigation, which lead to the largest methamphetamine seizure in Richland County to date.”

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Press Release
October 5, 2018

It’s not shocking anymore to hear about prescription painkillers and heroin abuse in Wisconsin communities. Everyone – law enforcement, elected officials, school officials, and the media – is talking about the epidemic that is stealing futures and lives.

On October 27^th, you can do something to help prevent this epidemic from spreading further. The Richland Center Police Department in conjunction with Richland County Children and Family Advocacy Council will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day – a national initiative to get all those unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your medicine cabinet and safely destroyed.

Chief Lucas Clements states that this effort will continue to bring an increased focus on the issue of prescription opiate abuse. The goal of the Take-Back Day is to provide a free, safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse and consequences of improper storage and disposal of these medications.

Proper drug disposal is one way to substantially reduce the abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers. Chief Lucas Clements states, “Storing potentially dangerous drugs in a secure location and disposing of them promptly after use will reduce the availability to people improperly using these substances.”

Drug overdoses kill more people than car accidents in Wisconsin, and the largest numbers of those deaths aren’t caused by “hard street drugs. With more than 163,000 Wisconsinites addicted to prescription opioids, we all have a role in preventing that number from increasing.

On Saturday, October 27^th, go to the Richland Center Police Department between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to stop this epidemic from taking an even bigger hold on our community.

Here’s what you can bring:

Do Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, and sunscreens), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, and gas), and mercury thermometers.

• Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.

 

• Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.

• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.

Chief Clements added that over the past nine years, local efforts with this free service have generated approximately 1,000 pounds of prescription drugs collected for disposal from our community and encourages citizens to keep taking advantage of the service.

Every citizen in this state can play a role in solving this epidemic: use prescriptions only as prescribed to you, store prescriptions securely, properly dispose of unused prescriptions, and help spread the important message about safe prescription use. Please go to www.DoseOfRealityWI.gov to learn more about how we can make our community safer and healthier.

 

SEX OFFENDER INFORMATION BULLETIN

COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION
September 6, 2018

Area Residents:

The Richland Center Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program (SORP). Further, this individual’s previous history places him in a classification level that reflects the potential to re-offend.

This sex offender has served the prison sentence imposed on him by the courts. THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY POLICE. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities, but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted, that law enforcement was able to share this information with the community.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.

Date of photo: 08-2018

 

Steven N. Thomas, age 39. In 2010, he was convicted in Richland County Court of 2^nd Degree Sexual Assault. The victim was a 16-year-old female. He is described as follows:

Male/Black, 6’2”, 200 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

 

RESIDENCE:

Upon release from incarceration on September 18, 2018, Steven Thomas will be living at 307 S. Church Street, Apt. #2 in the City of Richland Center.

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Employment will be approved by the Department of Corrections. No contact with children.

 

SUPERVISION PLAN:

1. No unsupervised contact with minors.
2. No taverns/bars/liquor stores. Not to consume alcohol or drugs.
3. Comply with standard sex offender rules.
4.  Comply with any recommended treatment.
5. Comply with lifetime registration with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registration Program.
6. Comply with electronic monitoring.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Richland Center Police Department- Chief Lucas Clements, 647-2103.

Agency Contacts:

Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections- Agent Dustin Popp, 647-4848.

Richland Center Police Department- Chief Lucas Clements, 647-2103.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

To learn more about the Sex Offender Registration Program in the State of Wisconsin, or to obtain information on other registered sex offenders living in the Richland Center area, please visit the sex offender registration website at http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/.

To obtain information on anyone under supervision please visit the State of Wisconsin, Department of Correction’s website at http://doc.wi.gov/Home.

*This bulletin was prepared by the Richland County Sex Offender Registration Notification Team.

 

 

RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Press Release
August 15, 2018

Chief of Police Lucas Clements reports that the Police Department is investigating a string of thefts which have occurred within the City over the past week. According to Chief Clements, several vehicles have been entered with varying amounts of cash and other property taken.

Clements states that in all of the cases minimal or no force was used to gain entry into the vehicles. In fact, the investigations have shown all of the vehicles entered were left unlocked. Clements added that the perpetrator or perpetrators are seeking anything of value in these crimes.

The Police Department is encouraging citizens to be extra vigilant in securing their vehicles, especially in the overnight hours if the vehicle is parked outside. In addition, they recommend removing any cash, valuables, and/or personal identification information from vehicles when parked and unoccupied.

The Police Department is asking the public for their help in solving these crimes. If someone has information about these crimes, or observes suspicious activity, they are encouraged to contact the Richland Center Police Department at 647-2103 or Richland Area Crime Stoppers at 647-CLUE (2583). Callers to the Crime Stoppers line may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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RICHLAND CENTER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Press Release
August 11^th, 2018

 RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Chief Lucas Clements reports that there have been many social media posts within the last week about suspicious persons, attempted abductions, or sex trafficking in and around the Richland Center area. These concerns have been further fueled by the circulation of “shared” social media posts.

Chief Clements and Sheriff Jim Bindl report that the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department have received a few “suspicious activity” calls over the past week. These complaints have consisted of females with children possibly being followed. We have thoroughly investigated the complaints and we take them very seriously. We have not, however, identified any criminality in the complaints we have received. The Richland Center Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department have had no reports of abductions, or even attempted abductions, in these complaints; nor have there been any indications that the complaints are associated with sex trafficking.

Chief Clements also states, “I have been in contact with law enforcement officials in the neighboring communities of Muscoda and Boscobel, which have been mentioned in social media posts for allegedly experiencing similar “suspicious activity” complaints. Both Chief Bill Schramm of the Muscoda Police Department and Chief Todd Stenner of the Boscobel Police Department have not had any official reports of the type of activity mentioned in social media.”

While social media is a powerful tool to share information, the “viral” sharing of unverified information concerning a few alleged incidents can lead people to believe there have been significantly more incidents than actually occurred and unfairly label individual(s) as suspects. Ultimately, this sharing of unverified information has contributed to people feeling overly fearful.

All law enforcement agencies, to include locally the Richland Center Police Department and Richland County Sherriff’s Department have ALWAYS encouraged the public to be aware of their surroundings for their personal safety and to report suspicious activity to Law Enforcement. If you feel that you are being followed by someone please use the following tips:

1. Call 911 immediately to report, law enforcement does not continually monitor social media.
   2. If walking, stay in a public area. If driving, drive to a police department or continue to drive    until Law Enforcement is able to locate you.
   3. Memorize, write down, or take a picture of the license plate number, vehicle, and/or suspect description or any other identifying information. This will assist Law Enforcement in their subsequent investigation.
   4. Do not confront the individual(s).

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