2013
THE BRIEFING ROOM The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Magazine Castle Rock, Colorado
HEROES AND HELPERS
Christmas shopping with cops
E-TICKETS
Deputies write high-tech tickets
TALKING THE TALK
Explore our new communications vehicle
JANUARY 2013
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COVER: HEROES AND HELPERS Chief Holly Nicholson-Kluth hugs a child after buying Christmas gifts at Target in a shop with a cop program MAGAZINE CONTACT: Deborah Sherman Community Resources DSherman@DCSheriff.net 303.660.7544 Sgt. Ron Hanavan Community Resources RHanavan@DCSheriff.net FIND US ONLINE: www.DCSheriff.net
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Message from the Sheriff
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Patrol goes high-tech
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Census: It’s senior city
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New year, new look
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Heroes and Helpers
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Honorary Deputy
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Talking the Talk with Undersheriff Tony Spurlock
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Knights of the bald table
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CSV Leaders
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Santa visits Lt. Duffy’s
CALENDER OF EVENTS: www.DCSheriff.net FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/ DouglasCountySheriff
MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF DAVID A. WEAVER It’s a New Year—and that means out with the old and in with the new at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. To begin with, you’ll notice our patrol deputies are using electronic ticketing devices, which are more accurate, more efficient than the old paper tickets and environmentally friendly.
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board. It will allow regional dispatchers to quickly respond to an emergency and talk to surrounding localities. We’re also going high-tech tracking sex offenders, and finding extra personnel and equipment on demand. You’ll notice changes in the Justice Center. The upcoming expansion will include a new parking structure, a new medical facility in the detention area and interior renovations.
The Sheriff’s Office has a new state-of-the-art radio, telephone and 2012 was a tough year. We welcome data communications vehicle, that 2013 and new and better ways to prowas fully funded through the 911 tect and serve you.
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T
he driver speeding through Douglas County this week had no idea she was about to make history.
When a deputy pulled her over for going more than 20 miles over the speed limit, she got the first electronic ticket ever issued by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. It’s also one of the first E-tickets issued in the state, as just a couple of other agencies use the devices made by Brazos Technology.
While it can take a patrol deputy about 10 minutes to write a citation, it only takes five minutes or less to issue an E-ticket. That means drivers can get on their way faster. The officer will electronically send traffic tickets to the records department. Drivers will be able to pay them on-line by this summer. Until now, traffic tickets had to be paid for in person, over the phone or by mail.
This January, about five deputies in the Traffic Investigator Jeffrey Burke swiped her driv- traffic unit will use the devices. But within ers’ license into his card reader and all of her in- the next couple of months, the whole traffic unit will be armed with the E-ticketing maformation popped up in Burke’s car computer. Then, Burke checked a penalty box and hit ‘print.’ chines and printers. Some of the devices will be hand-held while others will be “This takes out human error with illegible handmounted in the vehicles. writing and calculating mathematical equations for fines and penalties,” Investigator Burke said. The traffic unit will issue E-tickets for all driving and parking violations in the county, “As long as the deputy selects the appropriate 3 state and the city of Castle Pines. charge, it’s 100-percent accurate.”
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MOVING ON UP! THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN COLORADO
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HE POPULATION OF has increased 62-percent in the DOUGLAS COUNTY last decade, making Douglas County the fastest growing county IS EXPLODING in Colorado and the 16th fastest There are more seniors, more kids growing county in the nation. and more renters than a decade ago, according to the Douglas While the median age is about 37County 2010 Census Profile. years-old, the census shows the population age 65 and older inThe number of people living in creased 177-percent since 2000. Douglas County jumped from That means seven-percent of all 175,766 in 2000 to 285,465 in residents here are seniors while 2010. That means the population 30-percent are under the age of 18.
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57-percent more kids under age18
177-percent more seniors age 65 and up next biggest racial group is Hispanic or Latino (7.5%), followed by Asian (3.7%).
The census also shows almost three times more people are renting their housing today compared Finally, the number of people to ten years ago. Today, about 20living alone has increased. For percent of folks rent and 80seniors, it’s been a huge jump or percent own their homes. 230-percent, of them living Caucasians (85-percent) make up alone in 2010 compared to most of Douglas County. While 2000. the
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For you history buffs, New Amsterdam was a 17thcentury Dutch colonial settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan Island that served as the capital 5 city of New Netherland. It was renamed New York eputies are donning new in 1667 in honor of the Duke of York (later James hats at the Douglas County II of England) when English forces seized control Sheriff’s Office. Gone are the baseball caps of Manhattan along with the rest of the Dutch colwith the Sheriff’s emblem -- and here -- are ony, according to Wikipedia. new, 8 point police hats. It’s the most formal dress that our deputies can wear on a daily basis and still be used for special ceremonies and funerals.
Why 8 points on a hat? The eight points represent the eight original members of the First Watch in Dutch colonial New Amsterdam, now New York City. This style of hat was first worn by the NYPD in 1928.
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uring the holidays, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office teame in Douglas County. It was the inaugural ‘Heroes and Helpers’ and the Douglas County School District to go on a $50 shopp tionship with law enforcement. Douglas County Sheriff David
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ed up with Target to provide about $1,200 in gifts to some 30 deserving children ’ event. The deputies were paired with kids by Douglas County Human Services ping spree for the holidays. It gave the kids a brighter Christmas and a good relad Weaver hopes to make the program an annual tradition.
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A SPECIAL SWEARING IN 8
“I can’t begin to thank y
you have brought into C
friends about his badge
everywhere. Please acce for all you have done.”
Richard Pettit, Christop
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M
ore than anything else in the world, Christopher Pettit wanted to be a cop. He even carried a framed deputy’s badge wherever he went 9 that he got from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Anything more than that didn’t seem to be in the cards for Chris. That changed when Chris and his dad Richard met a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy at the Safeway in Castle Rock. He invited them to visit the Sheriff’s Office the next day. To their surprise, Lt. Keith Penry gave them a tour of the jail. Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Tim Moore organized a special ceremony. Sheriff David Weaver swore Chris in as an honorary training sergeant, then the Sheriff’s command staff signed on as witnesses. Chris received a badge, patches, sergeant’s stripes and a deputy’s hat. His dad wiped away a tear. His son had fulfilled his dream.
An honorary training sergeant
you enough for the joy
Chris’ life. He tells all his
e and wears his hat
ept my deepest gratitude
pher’s dad
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TALKING THE TALK 11
with
Undersheriff Tony Spurlock
H
ere’s a first look at our regional stateof-the-art communications vehicle.
This radio, phone and data wonder on wheels will allow incident dispatchers to talk to any surrounding county or city during emergencies, such as Parker, Lone Tree and Castle Rock. The equipment is also interoperable with Denver and Aurora which use different radio systems. The Incident Dispatch Team (IDT) Chevrolet Suburban was paid for by the 911 board. The IDT and incident commanders can use the vehicle as a true regional unit, able to respond to virtually any incident as needed, on demand. We’re very thankful that the 911 board provided this field communications vehicle for the region. It will help us get critical information to incident commanders in a timely manner during emergencies. We fully expect it will help law enforcement protect and save lives. 11
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“This event will recognize a number of shavee’s who have shaved continuously 12 for seven years straight. We e prepared to will also recognize our cancall a few Douglas County cer warrior children who Sheriff’s Deputies “Sir are currently battling this Baldness.” deadly disease,” Deputy They will be knighted in aka “King” Ackerson said. The children are bald warMarch by ‘King’ Niles Ack“They are true heroes with riors too, battling bad guys erson for their unequaled strong hears and more named Tumor, Lymcourage, chivalry and comcourage than you can possiphoma and Neuroblasmitment to the St. Baldbly imagine. Step up to the toma. rick’s Foundation. plate this year. Please doThe kids have been fighting nate, volunteer and attend This will be the seventh back with chemotherapy, the event as a spectator or a year in a row that barbers radiation, surgeries—and shave.” have sheared off all of their your money. It takes every hair, turning their golden single dollar the charity can locks into golden coins for get to find new medicine to Contact King Niles Ackthe childhood cancer reerson for more informatreat the children. search charity. tion: King Ackerson of the Legend has it that the Douglas County Sheriff’s 303.947.2446 or knights grew their hair as Office hopes to raise NAckerso@DCSheriff.net long as possible, down to $50,00 this March. their gun holsters, for an Will you be a knight in entire year. St. Baldrick’s Head shining armor and help Shaving Event After roaming the land and save the day for toddlers March 15th, 2013 fighting criminals with their like Fiona who has the Douglas County Event’s pony tails, beards and most deadly pediatric canCenter braids, the knights returned cer? 500 Fairgrounds Drive to their Douglas County Castle Rock, CO kingdom to recount their tales of adventure and to brush their tresses. 12
The fable says every March 15th for the last seven years, the knights have gathered round the St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving Event at the Douglas County Events Center in Castle Rock to shed it all for sick children.
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Deputies to be ‘knighted’ for shaving their heads seven years in a row Their baldness raises money for kids battling cancer St. Baldrick’s Foundation needs your help 13
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LEADING THE WAY IN
ould you vo month --192 and little re in the extreme heat and cold directin hoods, checking on elementary scho Safety Volunteers (CSV’s) do that ev more.
Last month, the Sheriff promoted tw ognize their leadership and take it to
Bob Eggleston has been with the CS David Eason, four years. Both were 14
“Gentlemen, thank you for your c community and congratulations on David A. Weaver said.
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N COMMUNITY SERVICE
olunteer more than 16 hours a 2 hours a year – for no pay ecognition? What about stand ng traffic, patrolling neighborool kids? Our Community very single day—and a lot
wo CSV’s to Sergeant to reco a new level.
SV program for five years. e also long-time officers.
ontinued15service to your n your promotions,” Sheriff
SANTA VISITS LT. KEVIN DUFFY’S HOME 16
‘nuff said. 16