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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.

TEST TW WEATHER

Posted on by dan

Springfield Armory donates new equipment to LOPD

Photo Caption: Dennis Reese (left), Springfield Armory CEO, and LOPD Chief Gary Launderville.

Springfield Armory is proud to announce the donation of guns and equipment to the City of Lake Ozark Police Department.

 

Spearheaded by Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese, this donation equips every officer of the Lake Ozark Police Department with the gear necessary to help ensure they can effectively perform their duties protecting its citizens.

 

Dennis Reese and his wife, Jane, have long-time ties and deep connections to the area, and are involved in the development of the historic Bagnell Dam Strip — known as “The Strip” to most.

 

“Lake of the Ozarks is a very important place to my family,” said Dennis Reese. “My wife Jane and I raised our kids here during the summers and throughout much of the off-season, so the area has a lot of great memories for us. We wanted to do our part giving back to the area, helping to protect The Strip for families to enjoy. When we found out that the Lake Ozark Police Department needed support, it was a no-brainer that Springfield Armory could be a solution.”

 

Pistols provided to the department are from the highly capable 9mm XD-M® Elite OSP™ family. Also provided with the pistols were Springfield Armory’s HEX™ Dragonfly™ red dot optics. In addition, Springfield Armory donated Dara Holster Systems capable of accepting the pistols with the red dot optics installed.

 

Additionally, the department acquired two SAINT® Victor B5 5.56mm rifles, also equipped with HEX Dragonfly red dot optics. This provides the officers with additional firepower should it be required in the course of their duties.  

 

“When the Reese family learned that our department was looking to replace its current firearms, Dennis Reese reached out to me immediately,” said Lake Ozark Chief of Police Gary Launderville. “Our current firearms were nearly 15 years old and in need of replacement, but we did not have the budget to accomplish this. Mr. Reese determined what we needed and made it happen. He has been awesome.”

 

“Springfield Armory could not be more proud to support the Lake Ozark Police Department in their efforts to keep their community safe,” said Fred Mincks, Springfield Armory’s LE Sales Manager. “We support the efforts of the law enforcement community and are happy to have been able to do this for the Lake Ozark Police Department.”

 

For more information on Springfield Armory, visit www.springfield-armory.com.

 

 

About Springfield Armory

In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.

We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

 

With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers.