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City Receives Blue Shield Designation: The City of Lake Ozark and Lake Ozark Police Department are honored to have been named a Missouri Blue Shield City by Missouri Department of Public Safety.Of this designation for our agency and community, Police Chief James Boren says "I'm honored to accept this Blue Shield City designation, which reflects the outstanding work of our Board of Aldermen, city staff, and police department working in partnership. This recognition from Governor Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Public Safety validates what I've observed throughout my 20-year career here—our community's growing commitment to public safety. During my tenure as chief, I've seen firsthand how the dedication of our officers, combined with incredible community support, creates the foundation for this kind of recognition. This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to making our city safer."The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety. “Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Lake Ozark, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals. Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program. The City of Lake Ozark earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through officer recruitment and retention efforts, introduction of our K9 program, increased funding to public safety, and an enhanced approach to community policing, we have demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting our residents and visitors.

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Posted on by dan

City purchases mobile radar trailer through cooperative effort

The private-public partnership concept is working well in the City of Lake Ozark.

Because a private citizen stepped forward, the Lake Ozark Police Department is now the proud owner of a mobile radar trailer.

Matt Wright, a local businessman and developer, approached the LOPD about the possibility of raising private funds to help purchase a mobile radar trailer to monitor traffic and encourage motorists to abide by the speed limit. Wright made the rounds among business owners and residents to raise funds to help cover the $9,800 cost of the demonstration unit. 

Ultimately, Wright – who is also a Ward 3 alderman — was able to raise $6,000 which he turned over to the Lake Ozark Police Benevolent Association. The LOPD provided the balance of $3,899.

As a result, the board of aldermen voted unanimously Aug. 24 to approve use of LOPD funds for the purchase, which includes a one-year warranty.

Police Chief Gary Launderville told the board that the radar trailer is loaded with the types of features expected on a demo. The price of a new trailer is $15,000, but because it’s a demo unit MPH Industries agreed to sell it at a discount.

“I’d like to thank Matt for stepping forward and soliciting funds,” Chief Launderville said. “His efforts raised $6,000.”

The LOPD has used the radar trailer for about two months, setting it up on better-traveled streets to discourage speeding. 

“This helps with traffic enforcement and if we want to do traffic counts we can do that too,” the chief said. “It’s not just a radar trailer, and it’s certainly a positive for the city.”

Several aldermen said they’ve been warned by the flashing lights at various locations around the community.

“It has slowed the traffic, and that was the intent,” Chief Launderville said.

Wright said previously he was motivated to pursue a radar trailer after observing vehicles speeding on Valley Road during an event on Bagnell Dam Blvd., on School Road and other areas of the city.

Aldermen were unanimous in their congratulations to Wright.

 

Search update

A committee being formed to search for a new Lake Ozark city administrator is nearly complete.

Current City Administrator Dave Van Dee announced in April he would be retiring effective Oct. 31.

Mayor Dennis Newberry told an interested individual attending the Aug. 24 regular board of aldermen meeting that he hopes to have the 12-member search committee filled soon. 

“It’s in the process,” Mayor Newberry told the individual. “I don’t have it totally completed yet. I should have it filled in the next four or five days.”

The 12-member committee would be comprised of Lake Ozark residents, business owners and/or business managers, according to the mayor. He said he would not be a voting member of the group, but the committee would decide which candidate was the best fit for Lake Ozark and make its recommendation.

“I will simply be the messenger to bring that information to the board,” Newberry said.

He noted that Assistant City Administrator Harrison Fry, who is also the city’s economic development director, would be the only candidate guaranteed an in-person interview. 

The individual made it clear to the mayor that he left his name at a previous meeting to be a volunteer on the committee. The mayor said he wasn’t aware of that and would consider the individual if a vacancy becomes available.