A harder stance on crime and a more vigilant policing effort might have ignited a retaliatory element among some lawbreakers in Moorhead.
During the early morning hours on Wednesday, someone apparently set fire to the personal vehicle of officer Jamel Calhoun while it was parked at the Moorhead Police station and he was on patrol working his shift.
Police Chief Bobby Walker said, “I think it’s the criminal element in Moorhead that don’t want to see laws being enforced, and this is a way of retaliating.”
Walker said he did not believe the attack was directed specifically at Calhoun, but more so to the department.
“We’re just writing a lot of tickets and people don’t appreciate it,” said Walker.
In addition, the chief said they have been cracking down on the drug trade in the small community, “getting at people about selling drugs out in the public and those are the people who are not appreciating what we are doing.”
According to Walker the State Fire Marshal's office has been contacted and was expected to be in Moorhead later on Wednesday. An investigation into the suspected arson is underway.
Walker said he got the call about the car around 3 a.m., and Calhoun’s car was the only one parked at the station at the time.
Walker said it was a terrible thing for a person to have to deal with while carrying out the duties of their position.
