Statewide Seat Belt Initiative Launched During Thanksgiving Holiday

Des Moines, IOWA --- Law enforcement officials from over 325 agencies will be patrolling Iowa's city streets, rural roadways, and interstates, urging motorists to buckle up and obey all traffic laws in preparation for the busy, Thanksgiving holiday.

:Regions: All
:Division: COM, ISP

DCI Launches New Sex Offender Registry Database and Website

Des Moines, IOWA --- At an early afternoon press conference, the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) unveiled the newly re-designed Sex Offender Registry database and website, www.iowasexoffender.com

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

Reminder: DCI Unveils Updated, Re-designed Sex Offender Registry and Web Site

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation is launching its newly updated Sex Offender Registry and Web Site. This re-design will enable Iowans to more easily monitor their neighborhood and surroundings.

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

Shenandoah Fire Over Weekend Ruled Accidental

Shenandoah, IOWA --- On Sunday, November 1, 2009, a house fire at 1938 C Avenue in Shenandoah claimed the life of 65 year old Karen Kay Beecher.

:Regions: All
:Division: SFM

DCI Unveils Updated, Re-designed Sex Offender Registry and Web Site

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation is launching its newly updated Sex Offender Registry and Web Site. This re-design will enable Iowans to more easily monitor their neighborhood and surroundings.

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

All Hallow's Eve Calls For All Responsible Adults

Des Moines, IOWA --- More and more adults are using Halloween as an excuse to gather together with friends and celebrate. Since the ghoulish holiday falls over a weekend this year, there will likely be many costume parties at which adults choose to celebrate with alcohol. If you attend one of these gatherings, the Department of Public Safety, Iowa State Patrol Division encourages you to act responsibly. Never drink and drive. Remember, there will be costumed children roaming the streets in search of treats this weekend.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

Teen Safety Week and School Zone Event

Des Moines, IOWA --- National Teen Safety Week runs from October 16 through October 23, 2009. In Iowa, a special School Zone Enforcement Event will be conducted on Friday, October 23, 2009, with concentrated enforcement before and after school and before and after any sporting events.

:Regions: All
:Division: COM

I-80 Closure Update

Oxford, IOWA --- Three construction workers and the driver of a semi truck were injured after the semi collided with concrete barriers in a construction zone on I-80 about nine miles west of Coralville at the Oxford interchange.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

Head-On Collision Closes Interstate 80 Near Oxford

Oxford, IOWA --- The westbound lanes of Interstate 80 are closed after a semi truck collided head-on with a cement truck about nine miles west of Coralville at the Oxford interchange.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

More Information Released In Officer Involved Shooting in Seymour, Iowa

Seymour, IOWA --- The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is releasing the names both the Trooper and suspect involved in the vehicle pursuit and shooting incident that occurred at 11:30 p.m., in Wayne County, Iowa on October 14, 2009.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP, DCI

Seymour Schools Closed After Shooting Incident On School Property

Seymour, IOWA --- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating a shooting incident involving an Iowa State Trooper (ISP) in Seymour, Iowa following a vehicle pursuit which occurred at 11:30 p.m., October 14, 2009.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP, DCI

Name of Man Who Died In Head-On Crash on I-35 Released

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Iowa State Patrol is releasing the name of the man who died in the head-on crash on I-35 during the early morning hours October 14, 2009.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

Man Dies In Head-On Crash on I-35

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Iowa State Patrol (ISP) is investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 35 in Story County. At 2:34 a.m., the Iowa State Patrol clocked a 1998 Ford Focus going 108 mph along I-35 at Highway 3 in Franklin County. The Trooper attempted to make a traffic stop when the driver began driving erratically.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

DPS Statement on Budget

Des Moines, IOWA --- Like all state government agencies, DPS is faced with making a 10% cut in our budget due to declining revenue..

:Regions: All
:Division: All

Notice of Public Hearings On Amendments To State Building Code and State Fire Code

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Office of the State Fire Marshal is hosting public hearings on several proposed amendments to the State Building Code and the State Fire Code. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in these hearings which will be held in locations across the state.

:Regions: All
:Division: SFM

DPS Arrests Ankeny Man on Five Counts of Theft

Ankeny, IOWA --- On Friday, October 9, 2009, Christopher Wade Moritz, age 36, of Ankeny was arrested on an outstanding warrant for five counts of theft in the 1st degree - exercising control of stolen property..

:Regions: 5
:Division: DCI, ISP

Children and Fire:  A Deadly Combination

Des Moines, IOWA --- The State Fire Marshal is asking Iowans to take time during National Fire Prevention Week to help slow the climbing rate of juvenile fire fatalities in Iowa.  Nearly 24% of this year’s fire fatalities in Iowa are under 18 years of age.  When compared to previous years, that percentage is a bit high.  From 2004 to 2008 the juvenile fire fatality rate ranged from 9% to 20%.

:Regions: All
:Division: SFM

LEIN Conference Draws Intelligence Specialists from Across the State

Des Moines, IOWA --- The Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network (LEIN) is celebrating 25 years of cooperative criminal information sharing and cross jurisdictional community policing.  To celebrate this great milestone, nearly 250 law enforcement officers from across the state are gathering in Des Moines this week for the annual LEIN Conference. 

:Regions: All
:Division: COM

New Residential Smoke Detector Requirements Delayed Six Months

Des Moines, IOWA --- The State Fire Marshal is delaying the start date for the new residential smoke detector requirements. This October, all new construction homes were to be outfitted with dual sensor smoke detectors. However, due to lack of supply from manufacturers, this new requirement is being delayed six months.

:Regions: All
:Division: SFM

Iowa Speedway Traffic Information For Last Race of the Season

Newton, IOWA --- Law enforcement and Speedway officials are preparing for the last race of the 2009 Iowa Speedway Season and officials are asking Iowans and visiting race fans to do the same! Organizers anticipate nearly 15,000 fans will attend on race day, so planning ahead of your trip to the USAR Pro Cup Series / ASA Late Model Series races is key.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

DPS Alerts Public to Hoax AMBER Alert

Des Moines, IOWA --- This week, a series of emails and text messages have circulated, claiming an AMBER Alert has been activated.

:Regions: All
:Division: All

Correction: DCI Releases Names of Officers in Waterloo Shooting Incident

Waterloo, IOWA --- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is releasing the names of the officers involved in the shooting that occurred early Saturday morning in Waterloo. (Spelling error in text.)

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

Man Identified In Waterloo Officer involved Shooting Incident, Autopsy Complete

Waterloo, IOWA --- The man shot during a struggle with two Waterloo Police Officers has been identified as Eric Rule, 31, from Waterloo.

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

Iowa Department of Public Safety Holds Open House to Celebrate New "Green" District 8 Headquarters

Mason City, IOWA --- The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) will hold an open house to celebrate the new District 8 Headquarters in Mason City.

:Regions: 2
:Division: All

Law Enforcement Identifies Suspect in Dow City Death Investigation

Crawford County, IOWA --- This week, an arrest warrant was issued for 20 year old Luis Angel Trujillo-Mendez for Murder in the First Degree, for killing 27 year old Lorenzo Nambo Garcia.

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

Troopers Prepped to Handle Labor Day Travel, Celebrations

Des Moines, IOWA --- Beginning today, the Department of Public Safety’s Iowa State Patrol Division is committing additional resources to Iowa’s interstates and highways in an effort to increase visibility and enforcement over the Labor Day weekend.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP

Law Enforcement to Hold Press Conference on Garcia Death Investigation

Denison, IOWA --- After several months of dedicated, cooperative work Crawford County Officials and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are holding a press conference today to announce new developments in the death investigation of Lorenzo Nambo Garcia.

:Regions: All
:Division: DCI

ISP Releases Dash Cam Video of August 10, 2009 High Speed Chase

Des Moines, IOWA --- On 08-10-09 at 3:50 p.m. Iowa State Patrol (ISP) assisted the North Liberty Police Department with a vehicle pursuit on eastbound Interstate 80.  The driver of a black Toyota Camry with Mississippi plates was driving in a reckless manner at a high rate of speed. Iowa State Troopers were able to bring the chase to an end safely, without injury to the public, the vehicle's occupants or law enforcement officers.

:Regions: All
:Division: ISP