Public Safety News

We have some excellent public safety initiatives coming through in September. I'll discuss a couple here.

The Police Department just launched an online report system. This system is not to be used in case of emergency, but is available to victims of some nonviolent crimes that occur within the city limits including theft, criminal mischief, lost property, harassment. The link is on our website at http://www.wdm-ia.com/ or here.

The Fire Department has designated the five Fire/EMS facilities in West Des Moines as Safe Places. This partnership with the Youth Emergency Services and Shelter (YESS) of Des Moines will allow youth experiencing a crisis of some sort access to the Fire/EMS stations around the clock. Staff at the facilities then contact a YESS Intervention Counselor to pick up the youth for professional care and follow-up. The stations that are now Safe Places (look for the big yellow signs) are:

Station #17 - 1401 Railroad

Station #18 - 5025 Grand Avenue

Station #19 - 8055 Mills Civic Parkway

Station #21 - 3421 Ashworth Road

Station #22 - 68th Street.