Community Policing & Child Safety: An Interview with the Watertown Police Department
- Steve Jurrens
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In this live session with Northeast Radio SD, leadership from the Watertown Police Department (WPD) discusses the department’s multi-faceted approach to public safety, focusing on child abuse prevention and the upcoming Teen Police Academy.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Captain Steve Rehorst emphasizes that law enforcement is just “one spoke on the wheel” of child safety. Protecting the most vulnerable members of the community requires a collective effort from neighbors, teachers, and parents.
· The “Reach Clinic”: WPD partners with Sanford for forensic interviews and medical evaluations. This “team approach” includes the State’s Attorney and child advocates to ensure a child only has to tell their story once, minimizing re-traumatization.
· WPD Statistics: Last year, the department handled 41 child abuse reports, resulting in 29 arrests. The goal remains to drive that number to zero through community vigilance and prevention.
The Digital Frontier: Cyber Safety & Online Predators
Detective Brandon Johnston, an expert in computer forensics, highlights the growing complexity of internet crimes against children.
· The Snapchat Myth: Many believe content on Snapchat is deleted instantly. Johnston clarifies that law enforcement can often recover this data months later.
· Complex Investigations: These cases are rarely solved in “30 minutes” like on TV. They often require lengthy legal processes with social media companies and can take weeks or months to resolve.
· Parental Tip: Monitoring social media activity and looking for changes in a child’s behavior are the best lines of defense against online predators.
🚨 Upcoming Event: Teen Police Academy
Sgt. Matt Hegg announces the return of the Teen Police Academy, offering local youth a hands-on look at life behind the badge.
· Dates: June 8th, 9th, and 10th.
· Eligibility: Teens aged 13 to 18.
· What to Expect: This is an interactive experience (no “boring PowerPoints”). In partnership with Lake Area Tech, students will use VR driving simulators to practice high-pressure maneuvers safely.
· Registration: Limited to 20 participants. Register online at watertownpd.com.
Closing Message: “See Something, Say Something”
The department encourages citizens to report anything that seems “out of the ordinary.” Whether it is unusual behavior in a child or unexplained bruising, the WPD would rather investigate a dead end than miss a chance to intervene.
