SJPD discusses utilization of the Shield Check program

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph Police Department has officially started its new security service known as "Shield Check".

Officers with the SJPD have been doing overnight business checks, but the new service is meant to act as a way to alert owners that officers are patrolling the areas.

Any business that is checked by the department will have a Shield Check Door hanger with the officer's name, along with the time and date they visited the owner's property.

The hanger will also have the crime prevention email and phone number on the back to give feedback or request a security assessment.

The security assessments are meant for officers to give information to property owners that can help in an investigation.

"Officers can meet with you at your residence or business to give insight on some crime trends," SJPD Sgt. Jeremy Peters said. "Where people typically force entry in different situations, possible physical vulnerabilities in your house or business. If you have surveillance cameras, we can look at what you have. Maybe recommend adjusting them to be more useful for us on investigations."

For questions and information on the Shield Check security assessments, email crimeprevention@stjosephmo.gov or call 816-236-1473.