Volume 15 | June 2019
Cedar Rapids Police Department
Monthly News and Information
Welcome to the Official Monthly Newsletter of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and continue to make Cedar Rapids a safe place to live, work, or visit.
Community Engagement and News
Thank you for the opportunity to connect with you through several activities and events over the past month. Here are highlights of a few of those events, along with some news and information.
First Responder Night at the Cedar Rapids River Kings was held on Saturday, June 8. Police Officers helped present the Colors, sing the National Anthem, and participate in other on-field activities. The River Kings donated a portion of proceeds from the event to the Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity . The River Kings play indoor football at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Police Department teamed up with the Cedar Rapids Kernels for Catch with a Cop on June 13. Kernels pitchers Austin Shulfer and Brian Rapp joined officers and played catch and Wiffle ball with children from the Jane Boyd Community House . The officers came in off-duty because they wanted to participate in this event which is now in its 3rd year.
Cedar Rapids Police Officers and Police Volunteer Corps members attended the Juneteenth celebration at Viola Gibson Park on Saturday, June 15. Officers had the opportunity to interact with children and families, and build trust and positive relationships. Juneteenth is a day of festivities marking the end of slavery in America on June 19, 1863.
Officer Alexander Rink was sworn in as a Police Officer for the City of Cedar Rapids on June 7. Mayor Brad Hart administered the Oath and Deputy Chief Tom Jonker introduced Officer Rink to the Police Department and community. Officer Rink was a police officer in Muscatine for 6 years. He was a member of the Special Response Team and he was a K9 handler.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Learn more how you can participate in National Night Out by visiting our website .

The Police Department is taking applications for the fall Citizens Police Academy that will be held September 18-November 20. The Academy occurs every Wednesday for 10 weeks from 6-9 p.m. The Academy is a great way to learn more about the work that police officers do to serve their community. To apply, contact Sergeant Laura Faircloth at 319-286-5425.
The use of fireworks are prohibited within the City limits of Cedar Rapids.

Police officers will cite individuals who are apprehended illegally discharging fireworks. The violation requires a court appearance and the fine can be up to $625.
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
  • Residents are encouraged to enjoy one of the many professional, permitted fireworks displays offered in Cedar Rapids to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
  • Fireworks can have a negative effect on veterans with stress disorders, children, and pets.
  • Last year, a 19-year old male lost several fingers when a firework discharged in his hand. There were 6 fires in Cedar Rapids last year caused by illegal fireworks, resulting in over $50,000 damage.
  • Noise and debris that affects other citizens is considered a nuisance.
  • When fireworks were allowed in 2016, there was significant air quality and environmental issues. The City Council prohibited fireworks in the City after receiving hundreds of concerns.
  • Please be respectful of your neighbors.
Upcoming Events
This Saturday, June 22 is  Safe Fest & Pancake Breakfast  at Cleveland Park in Cedar Rapids! Join the  Cedar Rapids Jaycees  at this FREE festival for kids of all ages and families. There will be a bike station giving away FREE BIKE HELMETS to the first 100 kids. Pancake breakfast is $5 per person, but is optional. McGruff the Crime Dog will be in attendance. The Police Department is a sponsoring agency of the Linn County Safe Kids Coalition .

The Cedar Rapids Police Protective Charity is partnering with the  Boys & Girls Clubs of Cedar Rapids  and  First Congregational-UCC Cedar Rapids  to bring Pop Up Clubs to parks in Cedar Rapids.

Clubs will pop up on Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing a sack lunch and activities. Pop Up Clubs are free and open to all kids.

Pop Up Club dates:

• June 17 and June 21: Redmond Park, 1545 Third Ave. SE
• June 24 and June 28: Westdale Courts, 2155 Westdale Dr. SW
• July 8 and July 12: Washington Square Park, corner of 15th Street and Third Avenue SE
• July 15 and July 19: Daniels Park, 952 Oakland Rd. NE
• July 22 and July 26: Wellington Heights House, 390 15th St. SE

Each Friday, First Congregational United Church of Christ will provide PB&J Backpacks, which are backpacks full of nutritious food for kids to take home for the weekend. Pop-Up Clubs will conclude with Pop-Up Parties from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29 and Aug. 2 in the back lot of First Congregational Church of Christ, 361 17th St. SE.
The Police Department reactivated the Automated Traffic Enforcement system effective June 1, 2019. There will be a 30 day grace period where warnings of speed and red light violations will be issued.

Citations with fines will be enforced beginning 12:00 a.m. on July 1 .

Cameras are used at the following locations:

  • 1st Avenue and 10th Street East (red light and speed)
  • 1st Avenue and L Street SW (red light and speed)
  • Williams Boulevard and 16th Avenue SW (red light and speed)
  • Four locations along U.S. Interstate 380, including northbound at Diagonal Drive SW, northbound at J Avenue NE, southbound at J Avenue NE, and southbound at 1st Avenue SW (speed only)
  • 42nd Street and Edgewood Road NE (red light and speed)
  • Center Point Road and the Collins Road ramp (north side of Highway 100) (red light and speed)

The use of automated traffic enforcement has resulted in a reduction in both crashes and crashes with injuries.  For more information,visit www.cityofcr.com/ate .
Cedar Rapids Police Department Community Outreach Division | 319-286-5425 | Email | Website