Florissant Police Honor Officer Mike Vernon with Blood Drive

The department honors one of their own who was injured in the line of duty with a blood drive on the one-year anniversary.

On the one-year anniversary of one of their own, the Florissant Police Department, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will host a community blood drive. The police department will host a blood drive May 28 in honor of Florissant Police Officer Mike Vernon—one year to the date of the shooting. Someone shot Vernon in the line of duty while investigating a burglary. As a result, Vernon is now paralyzed from the waist down.   In an earlier interview with Patch, Vernon said he was given nine pints of blood while hospitalized. The blood drive is a way to give back to those who donated, and he even hopes he’ll be able to donate, if he meets all the requirements. Florissant Police Chief Tim Lowery has asked those interested in …

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St. Ferdinand Athletic Association Donates $15K to Officer Mike Vernon

Florissant police officer injured in the line of duty receives a generous donation for him and his family.

Almost one year after being shot and injured in the line of duty, Florissant Police Officer Mike Vernon has continued to receive an outpouring of support from the community. Wednesday night, the St. Ferdinand Athletic Association presented Vernon with a check for $15,000 from its annual tournament at Cugino’s. The association held a basketball tournament for third and fourth grade boys and girls and sold food, which raised the funds for Vernon. “It’s a happy climax to a lot of hard work,” tournament organizer Michael Feldmann said. “This is a happy day for all of us.” The organization presented the check on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, when officers honor those killed in the line of duty. Last year, someone shot Vernon three times…

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Florissant Crime Sees 9 Percent Decrease in First Quarter of 2013

Police Chief Tim Lowery credits decrease to residents' reports.

The City of Florissant saw a 9 percent decrease in the first quarter of the year, according to a press release from Police Chief Tim Lowery. As of the end of March, 384 crimes had been reported to the police department, according to the release. This can be compared to 422 crimes reported at the same time last year. “The citizens are our eyes and ears within the neighborhoods,” Chief Lowery said about the decrease in the release. “I encourage the residents to continue to call the police to report suspicious activity as it is occurring.” This puts the city on par with last year’s decrease, which was reported to have an decrease of 22 percent in violent crimes for 2012, according to the department’s annual report. 

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Tornado Updates

Florissant Storm Update: Tornado Cost $45,000 to City

Mayor, Florissant City Council get update on what happened April 10 and city resources deployed for the storm.

Florissant City Engineer Tim Barrett, Police Chief Tim Lowery and representatives of the parks and recreation and public works departments updated the public regarding an April 10 storm that ripped through North St. Louis County. Last week, Mayor Tom Schneider announced a breakdown of the more than 490 structures affected by the EF2 tornado that touched down in Hazelwood and caused damage in the North County area. Monday's presentation touched on what happened that night as well as estimated costs of rebuilding efforts. “Trees were responsible for the majority of the worst damage,” Barrett said during the presentation. Chief Lowery said power outages throughout the city were one of the biggest problems throughout the city that night and …

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Florissant Police Warn About Lotto Scam

Residents have begun receiving letters from International Lotto Commission that are a part of a scam, police said.

Florissant Police are warning citizens of a scam involving the International Lotto Commission. On the police department’s Facebook page, the department shared a post saying that residents have contacted them about receiving letters from the International Lotto Commission saying they are “winners.” In the letters, residents are asked for their personal and bank information to get the prize money. The department encourages, “never fall for this scam.” Scam operators, who are at times based in Canada, use telephone and mailings for this, according to a post on the Federal Trade Commission website. “The bottom line, according to the FTC: Ignore all mail and phone solicitations for foreign lottery promotions. If you receive what looks like …

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Florissant Police Get New D.A.R.E. Car From Drug Dealer

The new decked out 2010 Chevrolet Camero will be used by the DARE program officer.

A drug dealer recently “gave” the Florissant Police Department a great gift – a new car. Specifically, the department acquired a 2010 Chevrolet Camero for its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program as asset forfeiture from a narcotics investigation involving a Florissant police officer and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The D.A.R.E. officer will now use the car as she drives to different schools in the area to further promote the program. “I am proud that the Florissant Police Department will be able to use this vehicle to promote the importance of the D.A.R.E. program,” Chief Tim Lowery said in a press release. “The circumstance of how we got this car shows that crime doesn’t pay!” The D.A.R.E. Program focuses on students …

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Drug Disposal Box Installed at Florissant Police Department

The permanent box, located in the department lobby, will give residents an opportunity to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription/nonprescription drugs.

The Florissant Police Department recently welcomed a new member of its department – a drug disposal box. The department recently announced a permanent fixture in the police department lobby accessible to residents every day, a prescription/nonprescription drug disposal box. This is the first box of its kind given to a municipality by the Missouri Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal, according to a news release. In past years, the police department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency has hosted drug take back events for the city of Florissant. Florissant Police Department spokesman Andy Haarman said the box offers a year-round alternative for residents versus waiting for an event every six months. Haarman said the department …

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'March Madness' Hits Florissant with Charity Basketball Tournament

This year's St. Ferdinand Athletic Association Basketball Tournament will raise proceeds for Florissant Officer Mike Vernon.

For families and residents looking to continue supporting Florissant Officer Mike Vernon, who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty last year, the next three weekends presents a good opportunity. The St. Ferdinand Athletic Association is hosting a charity basketball tournament for third and fourth-grade boys and girls, with all of the proceeds going to Officer Vernon. Last Memorial Day, Vernon was shot three times while investigating a burglary situation. He was left paralyzed from the incident. Mike Feldmann, basketball coordinator and organizer for the tournament, said that he and others knew following the shooting last year, they wanted to dedicate this tournament to him. This is the third year for the tournament, Feldmann said, …

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Florissant Police Begin Using Nixle Communication System

In an effort to reach out to citizens more, the police department has signed on to Nixle.

The Florissant Police Department has further branched out in communicating with residents by announcing earlier this week using the Nixle communication service. The communication system serves as a way to publish messages to registered users through text messages and emails. According to a police department news release, the messages can range from missing person alert or an amber alert, road closures and other safety and community information. (If you want to join the social media conversation, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.) “Efficient and accurate communication is key during emergencies,” Chief Tim Lowery said. “It is my hope that the residents of Florissant take advantage of this free service so we can effectively get …

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'No New Information' Concerning Randy Feger's Case, Police Say

In response to requests from the community, Patch reached out to local police for an update in the case of the father-of-four who lost his life in a local bar last year.

Since the death of  Randy Feger, the Florissant man who died after sustaining critical injuries during an altercation at a local bar, the community has been holding its breath, waiting to hear whether the suspect has been charged or arrested.  “The Feger case is still under active investigation,” Florissant police officer Andy Haarmann told Patch on Dec. 5. “There are certain things that the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office wanted before they were going to consider charges.”  Haarmann added that the department has remained in contact with the other party who was involved in the fight. “We do not believe that he is a flight risk at this time,” he said. Updates on Randy Feger’s Case As readers have continued to reach out to …

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