For the month of December 2024, the Ellis Police Department responded to 138 calls for service, conducted 63 traffic stops, and issued 10 traffic citations. 7 out of the 10 citations were due to speeding. The highest alleged speed was 17 miles per hour over the limit.

The Ellis Police Department also conducted several felony and misdemeanor investigations, resulting in 1 adult arrest.

The following adult was arrested in November by the Ellis Police Department:

On 12/31/2024, Russell Ellis was arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (1st Offense), Driving while Suspended (1st Offense), and Endangering a Child. He was cited and released after testing.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

In 2024, our Facebook page garnered over 421,000 views and reached over 69,000 unique individual accounts. Thank you all for making this our best year on social media yet! We are very pleased that we are able to use our social media presence as a tool to keep our Community Members well-equipped and well-informed as to what their police department is doing. We have great things planned for 2025 and will continue providing these releases to our Facebook page as well as local media outlets.

With Winter gripping Kansas with its icy-cold hands. Please take a few extra minutes each morning to either defrost your windshield or scrape it clean of ice or snow. America’s favorite contact sport is without a doubt Football or Hockey (GO AVALANCHE), there’s no need to make our second favorite contact sport “operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view.”

Section 177 of the Kansas Standard Traffic Ordinance states in section (a) that:

“(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, side or rear windows of such vehicle which substantially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.”

In summation- YOUR WINDOWS NEED TO BE CLEARED! In my time with the Ellis Police Department, I have stopped numerous drivers with a 3”x5” notecard sized area cleared, and the rest of the window completely coated in ice. I have personally scraped windows for drivers, but never issued a citation for it. The embarrassment of getting pulled over and stopped for what may seem like such a trivial matter is typically enough to convince even the most seasoned Winter drivers to take an extra 5 minutes and prepare their automobiles for travel in the morning. America is a very hustled society, where we are encouraged to be on time for everything. There is no timeline for your own personal safety. Take the time that you need to ensure the safety of you and those around you!!

Finally, I have had several concerned Community Members reach out to the Ellis Police Department about juveniles on the ice that is present on Big Creek. The City of Ellis does not currently have any ordinance on the books that prohibits accessing Big Creek while it is frozen. Most experts agree that an ice thickness of 4” or more is generally safe to support weights of approximately 200 lbs. It is also generally accepted that ice that appears white in color is either covered in snow or has air pockets. White ice typically cracks easier and should be at least TWICE the typical thickness of clear or “blue” looking ice to support the same weight! When thawing occurs, Ice may present as “mottled” or slushy. Slushy ice should be avoided at all costs! If you venture out on the ice, please let another person know what you are doing and check in with family and friends often so that they can verify your safety. Remember; there is safety in numbers, don’t go out alone. Ice rescues are very dangerous; our local firefighters will thank you for being cautious!

Thank you all for a great 2024! We look forward to what 2025 has to bring!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737401501218.jpeg" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>For the month of December 2024, the Ellis Police Department responded to 138 calls for service, conducted 63 traffic stops, and issued 10 traffic citations. 7 out of the 10 citations were due to speeding. The highest alleged speed was 17 miles per hour over the limit.The Ellis Police Department also conducted several felony and misdemeanor investigations, resulting in 1 adult arrest.The following adult was arrested in November by the Ellis Police Department:On 12/31/2024, Russell Ellis was arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (1st Offense), Driving while Suspended (1st Offense), and Endangering a Child. He was cited and released after testing.All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.In 2024, our Facebook page garnered over 421,000 views and reached over 69,000 unique individual accounts. Thank you all for making this our best year on social media yet! We are very pleased that we are able to use our social media presence as a tool to keep our Community Members well-equipped and well-informed as to what their police department is doing. We have great things planned for 2025 and will continue providing these releases to our Facebook page as well as local media outlets.With Winter gripping Kansas with its icy-cold hands. Please take a few extra minutes each morning to either defrost your windshield or scrape it clean of ice or snow. America’s favorite contact sport is without a doubt Football or Hockey (GO AVALANCHE), there’s no need to make our second favorite contact sport “operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view.”Section 177 of the Kansas Standard Traffic Ordinance states in section (a) that:“(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, side or rear windows of such vehicle which substantially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.”In summation- YOUR WINDOWS NEED TO BE CLEARED! In my time with the Ellis Police Department, I have stopped numerous drivers with a 3”x5” notecard sized area cleared, and the rest of the window completely coated in ice. I have personally scraped windows for drivers, but never issued a citation for it. The embarrassment of getting pulled over and stopped for what may seem like such a trivial matter is typically enough to convince even the most seasoned Winter drivers to take an extra 5 minutes and prepare their automobiles for travel in the morning. America is a very hustled society, where we are encouraged to be on time for everything. There is no timeline for your own personal safety. Take the time that you need to ensure the safety of you and those around you!!Finally, I have had several concerned Community Members reach out to the Ellis Police Department about juveniles on the ice that is present on Big Creek. The City of Ellis does not currently have any ordinance on the books that prohibits accessing Big Creek while it is frozen. Most experts agree that an ice thickness of 4” or more is generally safe to support weights of approximately 200 lbs. It is also generally accepted that ice that appears white in color is either covered in snow or has air pockets. White ice typically cracks easier and should be at least TWICE the typical thickness of clear or “blue” looking ice to support the same weight! When thawing occurs, Ice may present as “mottled” or slushy. Slushy ice should be avoided at all costs! If you venture out on the ice, please let another person know what you are doing and check in with family and friends often so that they can verify your safety. Remember; there is safety in numbers, don’t go out alone. Ice rescues are very dangerous; our local firefighters will thank you for being cautious!Thank you all for a great 2024! We look forward to what 2025 has to bring!-Chief Smith

Ellis Police Department December 2024 Activity Report

Ellis County Jail bookings: Jan. 14-20, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Jan. 14-20, 2025

FHSU crime log: Jan. 10-16, 2025

Hays Police Department arrest log: Jan. 5-11, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: Jan. 5-11, 2025

Ellis County Jail bookings: Jan. 7-13, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Jan. 7-13, 2025

FHSU crime log Dec. 27, 2024-Jan. 9, 2025

Hays Police Department arrest log, Dec. 29, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log, Dec. 29, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity report: Dec. 30, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025

Ellis County Jail bookings: Dec. 30, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025

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Hays Police Department activity log, Dec. 22-28, 2024

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Hays Police Department arrest log, Dec. 22-28, 2024

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Ellis County Sheriff's activity report: Dec. 22- 28, 2024

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Ellis County Jail bookings: Dec.23-30, 2024

Hays Police Department activity log, Dec. 15-21, 2024

Hays Police Department arrest log, Dec. 15-21, 2024

FHSU crime log Dec. 20-26, 2024

For the month of&nbsp;November 2024, the Ellis Police Department responded to&nbsp;182&nbsp;calls for service, conducted&nbsp;58&nbsp;traffic stops and issued&nbsp;8&nbsp;traffic citations. 6 out of the 8 citations were due to speeding. The highest alleged speed was 27 miles per hour over the limit.

The Ellis Police Department also conducted several felony and misdemeanor investigations, resulting in&nbsp;2&nbsp;adult arrests.

The following adults were arrested in&nbsp;November by the Ellis Police Department:

On 11/09/2024, Brian Cooper was arrested on suspicion of&nbsp;Criminal Threat and Disorderly Conduct. He was booked into the Ellis County Jail.

On 11/27/2024, Nathan Harwick was arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (x2), Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Criminal Threat. He was booked into the Ellis County Jail.

988 is a free service that is offered nationwide that offers 24/7, confidential, and judgment-free care&nbsp;for those that are in crisis or are having thoughts of self-harm and suicide.&nbsp;You can call, text, or chat via their webpage; they even have options for those who are deaf,&nbsp;hard of hearing, or those that are Spanish speakers. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.988lifeline.org/">www.988lifeline.org</a>

If you are traveling this holiday season and would like the Ellis Police Department to perform patrol checks on your residence please contact the Ellis City Clerk’s Office&nbsp;in person at 815 Jefferson St,&nbsp;and ask for a patrol check request sheet. An Officer will check on your property and report any odd findings&nbsp;or suspicious activity to you while you are away.&nbsp;

Finally, did you know that you can check road conditions from the warmth of your own home?&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;is a free service that is offered through the Kansas Department of Transportation. On their website, you can see weather radar, road closures, live road conditions, and traffic cameras. If you are planning on a trip during the Winter, checking&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;can help prevent spoiled plans!

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information, or download the&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;App on the Apple App Store or Google Play.&nbsp;

This month’s photo comes to us courtesy of Deb Shinn!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1734970901545.jpeg" alt="File photo/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>For the month of&nbsp;November 2024, the Ellis Police Department responded to&nbsp;182&nbsp;calls for service, conducted&nbsp;58&nbsp;traffic stops and issued&nbsp;8&nbsp;traffic citations. 6 out of the 8 citations were due to speeding. The highest alleged speed was 27 miles per hour over the limit.The Ellis Police Department also conducted several felony and misdemeanor investigations, resulting in&nbsp;2&nbsp;adult arrests.The following adults were arrested in&nbsp;November by the Ellis Police Department:On 11/09/2024, Brian Cooper was arrested on suspicion of&nbsp;Criminal Threat and Disorderly Conduct. He was booked into the Ellis County Jail.On 11/27/2024, Nathan Harwick was arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (x2), Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Criminal Threat. He was booked into the Ellis County Jail.All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.988 is a free service that is offered nationwide that offers 24/7, confidential, and judgment-free care&nbsp;for those that are in crisis or are having thoughts of self-harm and suicide.&nbsp;You can call, text, or chat via their webpage; they even have options for those who are deaf,&nbsp;hard of hearing, or those that are Spanish speakers. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.988lifeline.org/">www.988lifeline.org</a>If you are traveling this holiday season and would like the Ellis Police Department to perform patrol checks on your residence please contact the Ellis City Clerk’s Office&nbsp;in person at 815 Jefferson St,&nbsp;and ask for a patrol check request sheet. An Officer will check on your property and report any odd findings&nbsp;or suspicious activity to you while you are away.&nbsp;Finally, did you know that you can check road conditions from the warmth of your own home?&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;is a free service that is offered through the Kansas Department of Transportation. On their website, you can see weather radar, road closures, live road conditions, and traffic cameras. If you are planning on a trip during the Winter, checking&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;can help prevent spoiled plans! Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.gov/">www.kandrive.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information, or download the&nbsp;KanDrive&nbsp;App on the Apple App Store or Google Play.&nbsp;This month’s photo comes to us courtesy of Deb Shinn!Thanks for all of your support!-Chief Smith

Ellis Police Department November 2024 Activity report

Ellis County Jail bookings, Dec. 16-23, 2024

Ellis County Sheriff activity log, Dec. 15-21, 2024

Hays Police Department activity log, Dec. 8-14, 2024

Arrests