The Keokuk Police Department has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Keokuk youth.

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.

The Keokuk Police Department will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense and a $645 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, The Keokuk Police Department hopes to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, the Keokuk Police Department pledges to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.

On February 9th, 2024 at 8:30AM multiple law enforcement agencies conducted a residential search warrant at 426 N Main St. in Wapello, IA. This was in reference to a 3-month investigation into the distribution and sexual exploitation of minors and collection of child pornography, after a cyber tip was sent to our office. During this investigation our office worked with the Burlington Police Investigations Unit and State of Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

As a result of this investigation and search warrant, Garyth Peck, age 22, of 426 N Main St. in Wapello was arrested and charged with (27) counts of class C felony sexual exploitation of a minor and is currently being held at the Louisa County Jail. Peck’s bond was set in the amount of $50,000 (CASH ONLY).

Assisting alongside the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office on the residential search warrant was the Burlington Police Department and the State of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Electronic Detection K9 unit. Investigation is on-going at this time and further charges are expected in this case.

988, the suicide and crisis lifeline number, recently reminded everyone of 5 steps you can take to help those that are in crisis.

1.) Ask: Are you thinking about suicide? How do you hurt? How can I help?

2.) Be there: In person or on the phone. Show support. Listen. Keep promises to connect.

3.) Help keep them safe: If the person in crisis is suicidal, details matter. Do they have a plan, or ideas about timing or method? You can call 988 to support their crisis care.

4.) Help them connect: When someone is in crisis, connecting them with ongoing support can help establish a safety net. Remind them they can call, text, or chat 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

5.) Follow up: After the immediate crisis is over, check in with your friend.

Always remember that you can be a lifeline for someone who is in crisis. Remember 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline number.

The Mount Pleasant InMotion show choir competed at Keokuk’s Power City Classic on Saturday. With a great daytime performance, they finished in 2^nd place for 3A, which earned them a spot in the finals. There, they put on another great show and placed 4^th runner up.

Summer Schroeder, a senior, was named the Best Treble Soloist out of all groups for the day!

Their next competition is this coming Saturday in Pella.