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OPERATION IDENTIFICATION- ? _ OPERATION IDENTIFICATION is an ongoing Edina Crime Prevention Fund program. If you have not joined, do so soon. For information, call the Edina Police Department at 925-2242. EDINA CRIME PREVENTION FUND PROGRAMS: Residential Security, Senior , Power, Retail Security, Bank Security, and Rape Prevention. If \, your group or organization would like a presentation on these programs as a part of your meetings, call the Edina Police, 925-2242. EDINA CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER: If you have questions regarding protecting your property -- residential or business -- and how you can help prevent crime, do not hesitate to call the Edina Police -- 925-2242 -- to ask for the assistance of the Crime Prevention Officer. TOM TICHAWA M E M O R A N D U M TO: Chief Bert Merfeld FROM: Mancel Mitchell DATE: April 6, 1976 SUBJECT: Operation Identification Recovers Stolen Property On April 6, 1976, we received a telephone inquiry from St. Louis Park Police Department concerning a suspected stolen Citizens Band radio which they had recovered. The radio was marked with an Operation Identification number which had been partially obliterated, possibly #MN02706MK(?)4948. Through a process of elimination, we came up with a probable number of MN02706WK07948 and contacted the party, who reported that a C.B. radio had been stolen from his car while in a restaurant parking lot. Police made an arrest based on this Operation Identification information. a ce T. Mitchell, Jr. Crime Prevention Officer *SUN EDINA Youth alerts police; tip leads to arrest Some say his action showed real civic responsibility. Others say it re- quired courage and a sense of pride in his community. Tom Tichawa, a 14 -year-old freshman at Edina East High School, pooh poohs the compliments with, "Aw, it was nothing. I wasn't even scared." But whatever his feelings at the time, Tichawa did the city and the resi- dents of the Lanterns Apartments a big favor on the morning of Sept. 16. It was early, about 5:30 a.m., as Tichawa wound his way along his Min- neapolis Tribune paper route. The streets were deserted except for occasional stray dog or cat. As he approached the Lanterns Apartments at 51st Street and Fra Avenue, Tichawa noticed three men loading a piece of furniture into dark -colored van. The newsboy, his curiosity rising, wondered why people would be moving at such a strange hour of the day. Moving closer to the van he recognized the furniture as that belonging to the apartment building. He had seen it many times in the lobby when delivering papers to his Lantern customers. Tichawa caught a brief glimpse of other familiar -looking furniture as the three men slammed the van door shut and sped off into the darkness. Thinking something was amiss, Tichawa jotted down the license number before the vehicle disappeared. Completing his route, Tichawa returned home and told his mother, Therese, of 4914 Bruce Ave., about the incident. She called police. A short time later, a squad of Edina's finest interviewed young Tichawa. The license number was traced to a St. Paul address where the suspect vehicle and stolen items were recovered by police. The crime was solved and three suspects in custody within 24 hours, police said. "You are to be commended for your alertness in recognizing some activ- ity which you felt was out of place and giving the police information which was instrumental in solving a serious crime," Edina Chief of Police Bert Merfeld wrote in a letter of appreciation to Tichawa, "Many people often see suspicious activity but disregard it either be- cause they feel it to be insignificant or they don't want to get involved," the chief added. "You have done a tremendous service to the Lanterns Apart- ments, the police department and your community." A similar letter of thanks was received from the Lanterns' board of di- rectors along with a $50 reward for his assistance in recovering the furni- ture valued at $1,500. Then at the City Council meeting Oct. 4, the Edina Indepen Policemen's Association presented Tichawa with a certificate of merit "outstanding civic performance." "I just thought they were stealing something, so I thought I'd get t license number," Tichawa explained. "It happened pretty quick." The newsboy said his action nearly doubled his income for the month. But the real reward was contained in the letter from the Lanterns' resi- dents. "We are proud to have you as our morning paper carrier," they wrote. HOW THE EDINA CRIME PREVENTION FUNDS WERE USED IN 1976 Funds were expended for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of a wide range of crimes. In addition, funds were expended to aid in the recovery of several thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise. A few examples of some crimes solved in Edina in 1976: GAMBLING Edina Crime Prevention Fund money was used as "flash" by State (February) Crime Bureau agents who worked undercover, assisting Edina police officers in breaking up a large professional gambling operation. Several arrests were made. THEFT Information furnished by a paid informant led to the arrest of April) a suspect involved in a long series of vending machine thefts. ARSON Information from an informant led to the arrest of a juvenile for July) not only theft but also arson of a golf cart. The information also led to the solution of a previous burglary at the country club as well as seven burglaries in Hopkins. NARCOTICS During these two months, drug investigations developed out of August & controlled buys made with Crime Prevention Fund money, resulting September) in the confiscation of hundreds of dollars of illegal cocaine, marijuana, and "angel dust." Also, two dealer -level arrests were made in these cases as a result. 350 Crimes Were Cleared Through the Edina Crime Prevention Fund in the Past Six Years. Unsolved Crimes: During 1976, the Edina Crime Prevention Fund offered more than 11,000.00 in rewards. All of these rewards have not been claimed; the crimes have not yet been solved. However, the Edina Crime Prevention Fund is committed for these rewards as well as those offered in previous years. Directors Anonymous and Non -Paid: For obvious reasons, the Directors of the Edina Crime Prevention Fund are anonymous. They serve Edina as a public service, receiving no compensation or special consideration. The Board of Directors controls the funds which are made available to the Edina Police Department. The Directors determine the amount of the rewards to be paid. It is their intention to utilize the Fund for your protection and to continue to make Edina one of the safest communities in our country. They urge your support. THE EDINA CRIME PREVENTION FUND NEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL HELP The Edina Crime Prevention Fund exists only because of contributions (tax deductible). For your convenience in mailing your contribution, we enclose a reply envelope. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDINA CRIME PREVENTION FUND ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE The Edina Crime Prevention Fund received the first Internal Revenue non-profit status in the United States. Now, donors to the Edina Crime Prevention Fund may deduct contributions, bequests, legacies, devices, transfers or gifts -- and all such donations are deductible for both federal and gift tax purposes. The Edina Crime Prevention Fund Employer Identification Number is 237106953. You, your attorney, or your income tax firm may refer correspondence to this number.