Scott County Sheriff's Office

08/31/2026

Over the past month, the Scott County Jail has celebrated graduates from several programs designed to support personal growth, accountability, recovery, and successful reentry into the community.

These programs include:

Decision Points — Helps participants understand how thoughts and emotions influence behavior, recognize patterns that can lead to negative outcomes, and develop more thoughtful decision-making skills.

Destiny Dads & Destiny Women & Moms — Offered through Damascus Way Re-Entry Center, these programs help parents strengthen relationships with their children, develop healthier parenting skills, and build a stronger foundation for their families and futures.

Therapeutic Community Treatment Program — Provides a structured, supportive environment focused on behavioral health, recovery, healthy coping skills, life skills, and building the tools needed for independent living.

Programs like these are an important part of the work happening at the Scott County Jail. They provide individuals with opportunities to reflect, learn, take responsibility, strengthen relationships, and develop skills that can help them succeed beyond incarceration.

We are proud to recognize all of this month’s graduates and the effort they have put into reaching these milestones. Their commitment to growth is worth celebrating. 👏

08/28/2026

Join us Saturday, September 12th from 1–4 p.m. at Cleary Lake Regional Park (18106 Texas Ave, Prior Lake) for the Annual Public Safety Day!

This free, family-friendly event gives children and adults the chance to see, touch, and explore a wide variety of service and emergency vehicles. Meet Scott County deputies along with local police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and other first responders.

Climb into vehicles, take photos, and connect with the people who serve our community every day!

08/27/2026

Foggy morning in Credit River this morning

📷: Community Engagement Deputy Weckman

08/26/2026

Mental health matters and Scott County's mobile mental health crisis response is here for you. Please know that it's okay to seek support.

If you're in Scott County, know that the Canvas Health mobile crisis response team is available 24/7 for FREE mental health and substance use crisis support.

Scott County residents can access the Scott County Canvas Health Mobile Crisis Team, which offers free 24/7 crisis counseling and support services for mental health and substance use issues. Canvas Health provides both telehealth and in-person visits.

Canvas Health (Scott County residents): 952-818-3702

To make an appointment: https://intakeq.com/new/e12ik3/br5zvt

Canvas Health website: https://www.canvashealth.org/canvas-locations/scott-county-mobile-crisis-services/

Additional resources offering immediate, free, and confidential support:

• National Su***de Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (Veterans, press 1)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME or MN to 741741
• NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota: https://namimn.org/
• Help with Daily Living: http://www.211.org/

You are not alone. You matter. Help is available.

08/26/2026

Pursuant to Minnesota state law, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office is releasing information on Matthew Francis Vanhecke (DOB: 06/06/1979), a Level III predatory offender who recently relocated to the vicinity of MN-41 and Dem Con Drive in Jackson Township.

The purpose of a community notification is to raise public awareness and provide information regarding predatory offenders.

Notification Fact Sheet: https://www.scottcountymn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26801/VANHECKE-PUBLIC-FACT-SHEET

For more information on community notifications, please visit the Minnesota Department of Corrections website: https://mn.gov/doc/community-supervision/community-notification/

08/25/2026

Back to school means more buses, more traffic and more kids on the road.

Speeding 5–10 mph over the limit might save you just 60–90 seconds on a 10-mile commute.

Is that minute worth it?

It’s not worth risking a child’s life. One rushed decision could take a child’s life and take them away from their family forever.

Slow down. Watch for school buses and kids. Put the phone away. Leave a few minutes early.

Those few seconds aren’t worth the consequences.

Back to school means yellow buses, extra morning traffic, and busier neighborhood streets. When you’re racing against the clock to drop off the kids and make it to your morning meeting, it’s easy to let speed sneak up on you. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

Did You Know? (Fun Fact Time!)
🏁 The "5 mph" myth: On an average 10-mile city commute, speeding 5 to 10 mph over the limit only saves you about 60 to 90 seconds. That extra minute isn’t worth a ticket or possible crash.
🚌 School bus safety zone: Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red lights mean stop immediately. Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying flashing red lights, regardless of whether the stop arm has been extended, when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. In Minnesota, passing a bus with flashing red lights carries a minimum $500 fine!

Outsmart the Rush: Pre-Trip Hacks for a Stress-Free Morning
🎒 Prep the night before: Outfit picking, lunch packing, and backpack hunting are best handled before bed, not at 7:15 a.m.
🚧 Know your route: Construction and adjusted school zones can pop up overnight – check your GPS before turning the key.
🕛 Pad your schedule: Leaving 5 to 10 minutes earlier eliminates the panic when getting slowed down by unexpected red lights or traffic.

Planning ahead allows drivers to slow down, put distractions away — and stay focused on the road. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

08/24/2026

Congratulations and welcome!

Sheriff Hennen officially swore in four new employees today: Deputy Maxa, and Corrections Officers Lee and Walter.

Please join us in welcoming and wishing them the best of luck in their new roles!

08/20/2026

There has been a significant increase in e-bike use in our communities, especially among young riders. With that growth comes a lot of questions and confusion about the laws, ordinances and safety expectations that apply to e-bikes.

Last week, our Deputy Fordice joined Scott County Community Health and Shakopee Police Department for an e-bike safety event focused on helping riders and families better understand the rules and make informed decisions.

Deputy Fordice was there to answer questions, provide valuable safety information and connect with community members.

As e-bike use continues to grow, we’re committed to helping riders understand the rules of the road and stay safe.

08/19/2026

Did you know?

The “Take It to the Box” program promotes the safe use, safe storage, and safe disposal of unneeded medication, prescription medication, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia. If you have medications or drugs that you need to dispose of, please take them to the box.

In Scott County, you can safely dispose of your unused medications at one of the many Take It To the Box locations, including a disposal box located in the entrance of the Sheriff's Office that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All deposits are made anonymously.

For more information and to find the drop-off location nearest you, visit: https://www.scottcountymn.gov/2382/Take-It-To-The-Box-Program and/or https://takebackday.dea.gov/

08/18/2026

One decision can change everything.

Corey’s Story shows the lasting impact of a DWI - long after the arrest is over.

From August 19th through September 7th, law enforcement agencies across Minnesota will increase enforcement and education efforts to stop impaired driving.

So before you get behind the wheel, make a plan. Drive sober. Get a ride. Stay the night.

62 alcohol-related traffic deaths. 179 serious injuries. 13,670 DWI arrests in Minnesota so far this year.

Don’t become another number. Drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.

Driving while impaired will cost you. Even if no one is hurt or killed, a DWI arrest carries life-changing financial, legal, and personal consequences. Watch Corey's Story (youtube.com/watch?v=E1OMJ_3orfA ) to hear how a single decision behind the wheel continues to impact his life. Changing the culture around impaired driving starts with understanding its real impact. To promote safer choices and protect our communities, beginning Aug. 19 and running through Sept. 7, nearly 300 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota will participate in a statewide extra enforcement and education campaign focused on eliminating impaired driving.

What to Expect on the Road
• Increased patrols: Expect higher law enforcement visibility on state highways and local roads through Labor Day weekend.
• Strict enforcement: Officers will be actively looking for signs of impairment. If you do not drive sober, you will be pulled over.

The Impact in Minnesota (through July 2026)
• 62 alcohol-related traffic fatalities
• 179 alcohol-related serious injuries
• 13,670 DWI arrests

Know the Serious Consequences
• Legal limits: Minnesota’s BAC limit is 0.08%, but drivers can be arrested for DWI at lower levels if impaired.
• Severe penalties: A conviction can mean losing your driver’s license for up to a year, paying thousands of dollars in fines and fees, and facing jail time.
• Ignition interlock: High-BAC offenders (0.16+) and repeat offenders face mandatory ignition interlock requirements ranging from 1 to 10 years to regain driving privileges.

Keeping our roads and community safe is a shared responsibility that begins with a simple commitment to drive sober. Before heading out, designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service, or plan to stay overnight. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.