Pequot Lakes Police Chief Eric Klang reported he is in the process of moving the legal age to purchase tobacco in Pequot Lakes from 18 to 21. He’s working to change the city ordinance and hopes to present the request at the council’s December meeting.
Klang said he has met with most convenience stores and vape stores in Pequot Lakes and in Baxter.
“They are very supportive with it,” he said.
Karen Johnson, with Crow Wing Energized, said a student survey through the Minnesota Department of Health revealed that youth tobacco use in MInnesota rose for the first time in 17 years, attributing that to the vaping epidemic. She said the state is behind the 8 ball because it didn’t know of side effects to vaping, which was promoted as a tool for smoking cessation.
People now realize that is wrong, and that instead it’s helping create future tobacco and nicotine addicts.
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Council member Scott Pederson said he’d heard that 28 percent of high school students use tobacco and, more shocking, 11 percent of middle school students use tobacco.
Sergeant takes leave
Pequot Lakes Police Sgt. Chad Turcotte received council approval to take a leave of absence until approximately Feb. 1, 2020, because of issues with his back. He will take this time to increase the wellness of his back and explore other possibilities.
Turcotte won’t be paid, but the city will continue to contribute toward his health and life insurance.
In other public safety business, the council:
Approved the 2020 law enforcement contract and joint powers agreement with the city of Jenkins for $41,200 ($3,433.33 per month). The contract is unchanged from this year’s contract.
Learned the fire department had two calls in September - an agency assist at a motor vehicle accident in Breezy Point and a natural gas leak in Pequot Lakes. Police had 248 calls for service in September.
