The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition awarded Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews the Jim Fish Award at the August 2nd Night to Unite community luncheon, held at the Wayzata Country Club.
The award is presented annually to individuals within the community who have gone above and beyond in service to the community and in crime prevention. A recent photo by the WCPC highlighted the event.
“Bill Mathews served the communities of Wayzata and Long Lake with dedication and distinction. On September 8th, 2017 Officer Mathews gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to his communities,” stated Wayzata Detective Sergeant Dan Lee at the luncheon.
“I am proud to have known him, worked with him and to have called him my friend. This year marks the five year anniversary of when Officer Mathews lost his life in the line of duty. Bill’s commitment to his family, work, his partners and to the community did not come from a place of obligation. It came from the love of police work, and his want to serve, not because he had to.”
Wayzata Police Chief Marc Schultz, Wyatt Mathews, and Detective Sergeant Dan Lee. Image courtesy Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition.
Mathews’ son Wyatt, accepted the award on behalf of his father.
Tuesday evening marks the 40th annual crime prevention event in Wayzata
On Tuesday, August 2nd 2022 the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coaltion, the City of Wayzata, the Wayzata Police Department and the Wayzata Fire Department will join together with Wayzata residents to celebrate Night to Unite.
Night to Unite Luncheon
Per usual custom, the festivities will kick off at the Wayzata Country Club as the Wayzata Chamber hosts the annual Night to Unite luncheon in conjunction with the Wayzata Rotary Club.
Wayzata Police Chief Marc Schultz will provide an inside look at the department and highlight some of the most significant and bizzarre cases investigated within the past two years during a presentation that will follow lunch.
Block parties from 5:15 – 8:30
Later in the day, Wayzata Police, Wayzata Fire, City staff, elected officials and McGruff the Crime Dog will visit two dozen neighborhood parties throughout Wayzata and Long Lake via public safety vehicles including squad cars and fire trucks.
A Night to Unite party. File photo.
Public safety officials and typically a Wayzata City Council member will make a brief crime prevention speech at each stop.
Each block captain and host has his or her favorite ways to provide food and beverage. This can include a potluck, bring your own, or neighbors collect money to purchase food and beverage.
Children will receive S.W.A.G from Wayzata Police and Fire officials, and will be able to investigate fire trucks and squad cars.
The present Night to Unite concept replaced National Night Out in 2008. The concept was similar to National Night Out, however Night to Unite is endorsed locally by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association.
Fore more information, call the Wayzata Police Department at 952-404-5340.
Night to Unite Luncheon culminates with Jim Fish Award presentation to Gordy Engel
Gordy Engel accepts the Jim Fish Crime Prevention Award from Mark Scheidhauer and McGruff the crime fighting dog. Photo Dan Gustafson.
Gordy Engel was was selected as the Jim Fish Award recipient for 2011 at the annual Wayzata Crime Prevention Night to Unite luncheon on Tuesday August 3rd. Engel is the owner of The Foursome clothing and shoe store with longtime Wayzata roots.
Engel and his wife Nancy have been Wayzata Block Captains for over twenty years, and in 1981 he helped to establish a call-a-round list for businesses to current criminal information. Engel also served on the Board of Directors for the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition, and served as president for two years.
Gordy indicated this morning, “The Jim Fish award is tribute to a dedicated community volunteer and friend with whom I had the privilege to serve with during the establishment of the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition, 30 years ago. To receive this award and join the list of hardworking Fish Award recipients who have continued the fight against crime in our community is a humble honor.”
The Night to Unite luncheon was held at the Wayzata Country Club in conjunction with both the Wayzata Rotary and the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce.
Dignataries attending the luncheon included: Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox, Councilman Jack Amdal, Councilwoman Mary Bader, Councilman Andrew Mullen, and Councilman Tom Tanner. Also in attendance were Long Lake Mayor Tim Hultmann, State Senator Gen Olson, State Representative Connie Doepke, and John Bessler husband of Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Guests also included Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety Mona Dohman, Minnesota Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety Mark Dunaski, Minnetonka Police Chief Mark Raquet, Medina Police Chief Ed Belland, Oronon Police Chief Correy Farniok, West Hennepin Public Safety Chief Ray McCoy, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, and Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich in addition to six Wayzata Police Officers and 10 Wayzata Firefighters.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Night to Unite luncheon and Jim Fish Award leader.
In case you missed it, there is a heck of a lot of stuff going on in Wayzata today.
Wayzata Crime Prevention Director Gina Holman delivers a Kevlar bullet-proof vest to Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold at the 2010 Night 2 Unite luncheon. File photo.
Today is Night 2 Unite in communities all across Minnesota, and Wayzata is no exception. The Wayzata Crime Prevention, the Wayzata Chamber, and the Wayzata Rotary will host an annual luncheon to recognize the efforts of the Wayzata Police and Fire Departments today at the Wayzata Country Club. The event is scheduled for noon. (I think I just set a personal record for typing Wayzata six times in one sentence!)
Owner Tim McCormick will be pouring perfect pints at the grand opening of McCormick’s later today! File photo.
Secondly, the Wayzata Young Professionals, (the hip and happening arm of the Wayzata Chamber) will be gathering at McCormick’s pub today at 4:30 to help owner Tim McCormick kick off the grand opening at the former Volnay and Patrick’s location. Cruise on down and join us for a pint or more of your favorite adult beverage.
McGruff and a Wayzata Police officer greet young Wayzata residents at Night to Unite. File photo.
Third on the agenda today is the Night to Unite traveling party. Neighborhoods gather to welcome Wayzata Police and Wayzata Fire Departments as they ride around in squad cars and fire trucks to meet and greet residents in Wayzata. The schedule for your neighborhood is posted here.
Whew! I’m getting tired just thinking about all the great activities that are going on today! As always, Wayzata.com will have all the action here for your review.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Chamber lunch to Irish pub grand opening to police and fire meet and greet leader.
The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition’s 2nd annual Community Picnic was a hit last night as about 70 neighbors met at the Wayzata Depot. Hot dogs, root beer floats, chips and water were served to the community by the board members of the WCPC.
The Mound K9 unit gave a demonstration of their capabilities of stopping a suspect, and the Wayzata Fire Department showed how they utilize their rescue and fire fighting boat.
The highlight of the evening came as members of the Lake Minnetonka SWAT team set off a flash that showed how disorienting the tool can be when entering a building.
McGruff the Crime Dog and the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition invite you to the community wide 2011 Crime Prevention picnic!
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the Wayzata Depot. Hot dogs, chips, and root beer floats will be served. In addition to dinner, a short program will include a K9 officer demonstration, members of the local SWAT team, a rescue boat demonstration by the Wayzata Fire Department, and remarks from Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold.
The 2011 Crime Prevention Picnic is free and open to the public, and donations to the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition will be accepted.
For more information, call Dave Herzuck at 952-237-0562.
McGruff the Crime Dog and the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition invite you to the community wide 2011 Crime Prevention picnic!
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the Wayzata Depot. Hot dogs, chips, and root beer floats will be served. In addition to dinner, a short program will include a K9 officer demonstration, members of the local SWAT team, a rescue boat demonstration by the Wayzata Fire Department, and remarks from Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold.
The 2011 Crime Prevention Picnic is free and open to the public, and donations to the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition will be accepted.
For more information, call Dave Herzuck at 952-237-0562.
The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition is a non-profit group of residents, community members and businesses that raise awareness and money to assist the Wayzata Police Department and the Wayzata Fire Department in keeping Wayzata a safe Community. For more information, or to get involved, visit www.wayzatacrimeprevention.org. Take a bite out of crime!
The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition held it’s annual Block Captain training session in the Anchor Bank community room on Monday, April 19th, 2011. Residents and block captains from all areas of Wayzata and Long Lake gathered to learn more about the Wayzata Police and Fire departments, as well as to discuss better ways to communicate with each other.
Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold, McGruff the Crime Dog, and Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition President Gina Holman at the annual Block Captain training session. Photo Dan Gustafson.
Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition President Gina Holman welcomed the group with a complimentary dinner provided by the Wayzata Bar & Grill. Wayzata Fire Chief Kevin Klapprich gave a summary of the departments calls for 2010.
A full capacity crowd attended Block Captains training at Anchor Bank. Photo Dan Gustafson.
Wayzata Police Chief Mike Risvold gave examples of crimes that had occurred in the area, as well as statistics on clearing cases that showed the effectiveness of the WPD. McGruff the Crime Dog also made a brief appearance, to the delight of the crowd.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your Wayzata Crime Prevention news leader.
The Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition will hold it’s annual meeting with Block Captains on Monday, April 18th, 2011. The Event is scheduled to take place at Anchor Bank, 1055 Wayzata Boulevard East from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to encourage interaction between the Chief of Police Mike Risvold, the Wayzata Block Captains, and the Wayzata Crime Prevention Coalition Board of Directors. Topics of discussion will include: local crime trends, how neighbors are staying connected, and ways to keep an eye out for each other. Dinner will be provided courtesy of the Wayzata Bar and Grill.
Last night at Wayzata’s City Council Meeting, Wayzata Citizen Greg Rye spoke very passionately about overcoming the City’s budget shortfall so as to make Wayzata safe. The Council indicated that Greg should meet with City Manager Al Orsen in the very near future to come up with a plan.
Here is a transcript of his speech.
Thank you very much, Greg Rye, 315 Margaret Circle. It’s hard for me to talk about this tonight, because one, I’m sad. Part of me is really, really angry, but when I close here I have an idea I hope you guys will consider.
If any one of our City Staff members were here tonight that are on the list, I would be defending names, people: Sunny Clark. Bill Matthews, who relocated from a southern Minnesota town to be a police officer in Wayzata, sitting here with his family. Jan from Motor Vehicle who has been with us for over three decades. I don’t know if anybody has been invited to that party yet. She left last week.
We talk about letting lifeguards go at the beach, when last year the City sat here and talked about a security issue regarding a ramp that was being built because we thought it might not be safe for our kids. From a personal perspective the list to me tonight is irrelevant. This community is what it is because we are safe, we are well served, we are involved, and we are safe. To me it’s the one thing that matters. If we can save one thing, I want to be safe in this town. Last weekend someone was shot and killed in Maple Grove. In Hopkins. Read the morning paper, the City of Minneapolis and St. Paul are telling us they want to drive crime to the suburbs. We are talking about a Police Department with 10 or 11 people? We don’t have enough.
That being said, the missing link here tonight, this isn’t about Al Orsen making a recommendation, and I have immense respect for Al, and for all of you. But the piece missing tonight is the community. This isn’t your budget, this is our budget. Where are we? I guarantee you that the majority of this town tonight does not know what is on that list. I only found out about it yesterday, and I cried when I saw it. So what I am offering this community tonight, is not only myself, but I am inviting this entire town to come together right now. Not tonight, I’m hoping if anything tonight you will hold off on making a decision until we can have a conversation about what we want.
I’m telling you right now that if someone came to me with a petition asking me to give another $100 a year for the next 15 years, you got it. I’ll give you more than that. But I think the community needs to be engaged and asked what they are willing to do on behalf of the people on the list. Or maybe make a new list. How about being a little bit creative. This isn’t the only way to get to $300,000. Let’s get to the end of the year and then let’s go to our citizens and say we are going to have to raise taxes. And when we raise taxes, guess what, that list goes away. So please at least consider engaging the missing link.
And I would also encourage, get the department heads together in one room. Not to play off each other but to talk about ideas that we haven’t even thought of. I will give you any amount of my time and expertise and help you rally people, I will help you find business people, I will help you find financial experts, I will do anything in my power to make this go away.
I’m not up here blowing smoke, I will do anything. I come from a school district that in the 1980’s, we were $15 million statutory operating debt. Now we are the only school district in the State of Minnesota with a Triple A bond rating. We didn’t do it with the School Board Members and the Superintendent, we brought the community in and asked what you are willing to live without. Right now there’s a few of us here in this room, and most of us found out by accident what is on the list. When the community finds out they will engage. Give us a week, give us two weeks. We will find a way to make that list go away. And if I’m wrong, then vote on the list.
But what have we got to lose, other than people., not positions. Sunny Clark, Jan from Motor Vehicle, Bill who’s in the audience tonight. I don’t even know the names of some of the gardeners. For crying out loud, Wayzata can do better than this. I’m sorry for being emotional tonight, it’s hard for me to talk because I have so much love and respect for all of you.
I’m asking, I’m actually begging for all of you to call a temporary time out. You spent an hour talking about $11,000 for a project in a neighborhood that has been going on for 3 or 4 months. We are talking about eliminating people that have been here for 33, 35 years. And we are going to give them one meeting? That’s not the Wayzata way. That’s not who we are as a town. Please think about that, and thank you for your time.
If you are interested in participating in the discussion to raise and or save $100,000, please contact Greg at 952-476-8392 or via email at gregrye [at] aol.com.
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