With the current nationwide focus on the relationship between the public and the police, community policing initiatives may now be more important than ever before. The 20-officer Waukee Police Department is striving to be a leader in that arena.

Waukee Police Chief John Quinn, who has been at the helm since March of 2014, said the concept of community policing originally came about as a way for police to work with community members to identify crimes being committed and to address resident concerns, but it has evolved to serve an even higher purpose.

“Today, community policing has transformed into policing operations and programs that deal with the department’s interaction with community members,” said Quinn. “It’s about building trust and confidence by providing open, honest and transparent public safety services.”

Under Quinn’s leadership, the Waukee Police Department adopted a community-focused mission. The department has implemented numerous programs that engage all ages of the Waukee population:

• Bicycle Patrol: Officers on bicycles provide outreach and support on the city’s trails and parks via bicycles.
• Body Cameras: Waukee’s on-duty police officers wear body cameras that activate each time officers have contact with the public. The cameras hold both officers and citizens accountable for their actions.
• Citizen Police Academy: This series of ten, three-hour classes gives citizen participants a working knowledge of the police department’s practices, policies and procedures.
• Community Event and Neighborhood Presence: Officers make a point to be present and visible at community events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Celebrate Waukee and Fourth of July festivities. They also make friendly stops in neighborhoods throughout Waukee.
• Public Safety Day: The Waukee Police and Fire Departments feature public safety-related activities such as a child safety seat checks, child IDs and fire hose demonstrations at this annual event.
• Safety City: The police department hosts week-long courses for incoming kindergarten students. The children learn about street safety, pedestrian rules, stoplights, safety belts, 911, bus rules and more.
• School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: The SRO program places police officers within Waukee Community School District buildings to develop relationships with students and parents.  
• Senior TRIAD Program: TRIAD, a partnership between law enforcement, senior services and seniors to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly, meets once a month for lunch and conversation.
• Shop with a Cop: Each December, the Waukee Police Department takes low-income children shopping for holiday gifts for themselves and their family members.
• Thanksgiving Baskets: The department also purchases baskets full of Thanksgiving food for needy Waukee residents. The residents choose from ham or turkey meals.  

Waukee’s School Resource Officers are some of the most recognized faces in town. Officer Brian Murra spends his days during the school year with students and parents. During the summer, when he’s not dealing with calls or traffic stops, you can find him handing out badge stickers at lemonade stands or tossing a football around with kids at Centennial Park.

“We really aim to build relationships with Waukee youth, and I think we’ll see the impact of our positive relationships carry over into their adult lives someday,” said Murra. “With the SRO program specifically, we are also there to provide a safe learning environment.”

Waukee school leaders say the SRO program has made a huge impact. “The officers have helped educate our students about a variety of safety concerns our youth face in today’s world,” said South Middle School Principal Doug Barry. “They have a proactive presence to help steer our students toward making positive choices in our school and community.”

Moving to the opposite end of the generational spectrum, you’ll find Waukee police officers at the TRIAD program. This engagement luncheon initiative has grown to almost fill the Waukee Community Center each month. Topics discussed with the participants include the officer hiring process, tips on avoiding identity theft and even an annual bus tour to see the new development being built in Waukee.

The most valuable information is about scams and the new things going on around town,” said one TRIAD attendee.

Age aside, the Waukee Police Department aims to provide a safe and comfortable community for all residents. While they’ve added several new programs recently, there’s no sign of stopping.

“I helped develop and implement the Citizen Police Academy, and I’m excited now to work on launching a Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program that will address crime prevention in rental properties,” said Sgt. Jeremy Long.

Chief Quinn said he’s proud of those in the department taking community policing so seriously. And while the main goal is to benefit the community members, he said it’s helpful to put the lives of officers into perspective for the public as well.

“The citizens can see that the men and women of the Waukee PD are fathers, sons, mothers and daughters themselves, just the same as them,” said Quinn. “I hope the public sees how humbled and honored the officers are to protect and serve the citizens of Waukee.”

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Waukee Trailhead Public Art Committee Secures $1.1 Million for “Waukee Railroad Pergola”

Bicyclists come from near and far to pedal along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, with its most significant trailhead located in Waukee. Thanks to a creative vision and a lot of planning and fundraising work, riders will soon have a new feature to enjoy.

The Waukee Trailhead Public Art Project Committee met its fundraising goal of $1.1 million on June 8, thanks in part to a $147,650 “Community Attraction & Tourism” grant from the Vision Iowa Board. The project has come a long way since the early planning stages.

“Several years ago, Chuck Offenburger and I were discussing that, as people came out of the metro on their bikes to the Raccoon River Valley Trail system, they didn’t really know there is a transition,” said Waukee Trailhead Public Art Committee Co-Chair Jim Miller. “We wondered how we could make the Waukee Trailhead a more noticeable gateway to the trail. We joked about building an arch; then we laughed and moved on. But that conversation stuck with me, and I thought maybe we really could do something special.”

In 2012, Miller and co-chair Randy Jensen formed a committee to discuss a potential trailhead art project. They didn’t know what it would be, but after meeting with designers, they got excited about the possibilities. David Dahlquist and RDG Planning & Design—the team that designed Ankeny’s High Trestle Trail Bridge art—was chosen by the committee to create something unique and regionally relevant for the site.

With the support of the Waukee City Council and after several rounds of public input meetings, Waukee Railroad Pergola – In the Shadow of the Rails was chosen as the art feature.

“The pergola design was the one that really resonated with people. Involving the community was a great asset, as instead of the committee making this huge decision for the community, the community was, in a way, making it for the committee,” said Miller.

Waukee Parks & Recreation Director Matt Jermier said the pergola design is great because it’s interactive. Bikers can ride through the actual art installation. It also features LED lights, which will make night riding more enjoyable. Plus, it has a unique tie-in to Waukee’s railroad heritage.

“Just as the railroad once linked one community to the next, so does the Raccoon River Valley Trail today,” said Jermier. “The former rail system was actually repurposed to form the Raccoon River Valley Trail.”

The current trailhead

The City of Waukee previously earmarked $173,000 for capital improvements at the trailhead. Once the art project group formed, these budgeted funds were allocated to help pay for a comprehensive enhancement plan for the trailhead site. The plan includes a shelter and plaza structure and an improved parking lot.

“I think it’s evident, based on how many cars you see parked at the trailhead on any day of the week, that the trail is already very popular,” said Jermier. “The impact of the artwork will be huge as another amenity to offer Waukee residents and visitors. It will also serve nicely as a new western gateway to the City once the second high school and recreation complex are opened in 2021.”

Miller agrees that this amenity will bring more users to the trails. He notes the awe-inspiring experience he has each time he rides over the High Trestle Trail Bridge as a testament to the committee’s efforts.

“We’ve got the ability to replicate that kind of experience on this trail. A lot of people choose the High Trestle Trail because of the beauty and luminosity of the bridge,” said Miller. “Adding this fresh, new amenity will create that type of draw here in Waukee. It will be something truly unique to the trail system.”

And, it’s not just Waukee getting on board the art train. Eight other communities along the Raccoon River Valley Trail are planning to incorporate artistic elements from Waukee’s design into their respective locations.  Once completed, the public art features will be located along the full 89-mile trail corridor, creating one of the longest linear public art installations in the country.

The target completion date for the trailhead improvements and art installation is set for the summer of 2017. Miller said many people have asked why $1.1 million is going into this art project and not into other improvements, like trail surfacing. He explained that most of the funds raised are from sources dedicated to this type of project.

“This was very specific fundraising—very targeted to those who invest in arts and culture initiatives,” said Miller.

With the funding in hand and the plans approved, the groundbreaking on the project could happen yet this year. Jermier thinks the pergola art will be an attraction for both bicyclists and non-bicyclists alike.

“I think the recent installation of the American Gothic-inspired sculpture at the Waukee Public Library was well-received, and we’re excited to add more public art to the City’s landscape to really put Waukee on the map,” said Jermier.

The committee is now looking for additional funds to support the partnering communities’ portions of the project. For more information, visit WaukeeTrailheadArt.org.