Annual Report: Watertown PD & Fire Rescue Officials Unveil 2025 Public Safety Results

Steve Jurrens
2 days ago
3 min read

Three men at a podium in a meeting room. Two are in uniform. Screen reads "interactive." "Watertown PD & Fire Rescue" text on display. — Watertown Police and Fire Rescue officials present the comprehensive 2025 Public Safety Results, emphasizing community interaction during the announcement.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a comprehensive briefing for media partners, Watertown city officials presented the 2025 annual reports for the Police and Fire Rescue departments, highlighting significant decreases in major crime and groundbreaking medical advancements while addressing the logistical challenges of a growing city. City Manager Allen, Police Chief Tim Toomey, and Fire Chief Don Rowland provided a deep dive into the statistics and a strategic vision for 2026.

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Police Chief Toomey opened the session by describing public safety as a collaborative “wheel” in which police and fire departments are individual spokes, supported by a strong city organization and community. The department reported a staff of 61 employees who completed nearly 8,000 hours of training in 2025.

Retention remains a strong suit for the WPD; the department’s 7.14% turnover rate — driven by only three specific separations (one retirement, one resignation, and one termination) — remains well below the national average of 10%. In contrast, the 9-1-1 Communications Division faced a steeper challenge with a 23.07% turnover rate following three resignations.

2025 Crime and Traffic Highlights:

Major Reductions: Burglary incidents plummeted by 42% compared to the previous year and 50% over a five-year average.
Theft and Assault: Overall thefts decreased by 27%, and aggravated assaults fell by a significant 56%.
Protecting Children: Child abuse arrests rose to 29 in 2025, up from 17 the previous year. Toomey noted this increase reflects a community more willing to report suspicious behavior and a department committed to thorough investigations and victim advocacy.
Traffic Safety: The city saw 425 state-reportable accidents, successfully remaining below its long-term target ceiling of 700. Officers issued 2,578 traffic citations and 3,797 written warnings to balance enforcement with education.
Drug Enforcement: While overall drug arrests dropped to 388 (largely due to marijuana policy shifts), the focus intensified on “hard” drugs. The department made 18 distribution arrests and seized record-breaking amounts of methamphetamine.
DUI Concerns: Chief Toomey highlighted a concerning 10 DUIs involving individuals under 18.

“The only way you can really judge your crime rate is by the absence of crime,” Toomey remarked, emphasizing that deterrence remains the ultimate goal.

WFR: The “ER on Wheels” and the Future of Station 3

Fire Chief Don Rowland highlighted the department’s evolution into a high-level medical response unit, noting that 36 out of 40 full-time staff are now paramedics. This high level of training allows units to function as an “emergency room on wheels,” stabilizing patients through advanced airway management, IV starts, and a mobile pharmacy stocked with nearly 40medications.

Operational Impact & Training:

High Call Volume: The department responded to 6,787 total calls in 2025, representing a 16.6% increase over the last five years.
EMS Dominance: Medical calls accounted for 3,251 responses, while fire-related incidents totaled 1,094.
Specialized Rescue: WFR completed 835 hours of rescue training, certifying seven new members in rope rescue and participating in multi-agency structural collapse drills.
Hazmat Readiness: The department logged 631 hours of hazardous materials training and purchased new specialized suits to enhance technical response capabilities.

Infrastructure and Technical Innovation:

A major milestone for 2026 is the progression toward Station 3. In September 2025, the city purchased 2.59 acres at Meadow Dr. & 19th St NE for the future site. Once operational, Station 3 is estimated to handle 30% of all EMS and fire calls. The primary remaining hurdle is funding the nine additional staff members (approximately $700,000 annually) required to man the station 24/7.

Chief Rowland also detailed the arrival of a new drone program in March 2026. These drones will serve as “force multipliers” for overwatch during hazardous spills, fire assessments, and searching for missing persons — such as Alzheimer’s patients — using pre-recorded loudspeaker announcements.

Medical & Community Partnerships:

Technology in the Field: 2025 was the first full year WFR utilized the Handtevy mobile application for rapid medication dosing.
Telemedicine Milestone: The new “Medic 3” ambulance, delivered in September 2025, is slated to become the second unit equipped with Avel eCare Telemedicine in Motion, allowing paramedics to connect directly with ER physicians via video.
Data-Driven Planning: A new partnership with Faber Analytics now provides 12-month call volume projections and geographic response data.
Risk Reduction: WFR installed 338 smoke detectors and 56 carbon monoxide detectors in 2025. This included replacing a specialized bed shaker alarm for a resident with a hearing impairment.