O’Fallon Update The Official Quarterly Publication of the City of O’Fallon, Missouri Autumn 2014 • www.ofallon.mo.us
Taking pride and staying safe in our hometown O’Fallon named one of the Safest Cities in Missouri The City of O’Fallon was named one of the “Safest Cities in Missouri” by the SafeWise Report in its recently released “50 Safest Cities in Missouri” report. To compile this report, SafeWise used the most recent FBI crime data from 2012 to analyze and rank Missouri cities with a minimum population of 4,000 people. O’Fallon, which ranked 17th overall, was listed as the safest large city (population 75,000+) in the State and was one of only two large cities to make the list. The SafeWise Report utilized data from the FBI Unified Crime Report (UCR) reported crime statistics, which includes violent crimes (aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, and robbery) as well as property crimes (arson, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft). From there, SafeWise calculated the chances of these crimes happening out of 1,000 in order to level the playing field for cities of varying populations.
In this issue
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nce again, O’Fallon has been honored as the safest large city in the State of Missouri. It is a tremendous honor and one that we will never take lightly. This honor is a testament to the brave men and women of the O’Fallon Police Department, the various fire districts that cover our City and the St. Charles County Ambulance District. These first responders put their lives on the line every day in order to serve us, and we all enjoy the feeling of safety and security we have in our homes and neighborhoods because of them. But they can’t do it alone. As residents of O’Fallon, we are the ones who really make this City a safe – and great – place to live. As I drive through the City, I am constantly impressed at the time and effort our residents put into taking care of their homes, keeping up their landscaping, taking extra time to trim and decorate nearby common ground or even just picking up some scraps of paper that may have blown down the street. These seemingly little, everyday actions help create the safe and healthy environment that we all enjoy. And, when neighbors go out of their way to check in on a neighbor they haven’t seen, remind someone to close an open garage door or notify the O’Fallon Police Department because they see something in their neighborhood that “just doesn’t look right,” they are making the extra effort that is required to help ensure that our City remains a safe haven to live, work and play. Of course, our City Staff is always on the lookout to make O’Fallon even better, and this fall there’s so much going on for you and your family. Whether it’s the Fall Fest Street Dance and Run (pages 2–3), the RSC Art & Family Festival (page 6) or any of the soccer leagues, cultural arts events or unique kids’ activities provided by our City, there’s always something to do here in O’Fallon. I invite you to bring your family out and enjoy all we have to offer. Together, we can all continue to make O’Fallon a great place to call home! Sincerely,
Bill Hennessy, Mayor
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O’Fallon’s Fall Fest & Street Dance
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Fall Fest Run
O’Fallon named AMVETS National Employer of the Year
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Public Works
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Upcoming Events
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Roscoe’s Den
On Friday, August 15, the City of O’Fallon was named AMVETS National Employer of the Year for all government entities at the AMVETS 70th National Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. Vietnam veteran Sheldon Hartsfield, Missouri’s AMVETS representative and a member of the O’Fallon Veterans Commission, accepted the award on behalf of the City. The award recognizes O’Fallon’s efforts in hiring veterans.
10 Police Bulletins 11 10 Years at the RSC 12 City Calendar
See reverse for the Autumn Parks & Rec Guide