Briefing Room August 2012

Sheriff David A. Weaver

August, 2012

This month’s Briefing Room is dedicated to law enforcement, hospital staffs and emergency workers who helped save lives—and to victims and families still suffering from a Dark Night in Aurora.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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Message from the Sheriff:

Pulling together Dear Friends and Neighbors, Colorado is just starting down the road to recovery after the Aurora theater shooting.

We can get there faster by pulling together.

We hope you’ll join us in helping those who need assistance, being a good neighbor and comforting victims’ families.

Sincerely, Sheriff David A. Weaver

Outside the theater Aurora, Colorado July 20, 2012

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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Inmates clean up Douglas County along Piney Lake Road & Inspiration Drive July 1, 2012 DOUGLAS COUNTY—Every weekend this summer, inmates who have been pre-screened can get out of jail earlier and help beautify Douglas County on the Sheriff’s ‘Road Crew.’

On July 1st, 10 inmates worked for nearly nine hours, walked six miles and picked up more than 20 bags of trash along Piney Lake Road and Inspiration Drive. During 1999, inmates worked 31,461 hours on various projects. The road crews have existed for at least five years.

“I think it’s a great program for both the inmates and the residents because everyone benefits,” Deputy Shane McNulty, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. “It not only helps keep our county’s roadways clean, but it also allows inmates a chance to work time off their sentence for every day they do it, making their time with us more productive.”

The only inmates allowed on road crew have been pre-screened or are in work release. Two deputies supervise them as they pick up trash and keep the streets clean.

“The citizens said the idea of inmates cleaning the streets was a good idea and they said how much they appreciate the Sheriff’s Office utilizing inmates for this purpose,” McNulty said.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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Stop Suicide

Walk, raise money, honor loved ones Join the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Youth Education and Safety in Schools Team at the South Metro Out of the Darkness 2012 Walk

More than 36,000 people die by suicide every year in the U.S. That’s one suicide every 15 minutes. It’s estimated one attempt is made every minute.

Walk to raise awareness, save lives and prevent suicide by bringing this topic into the light.

September 8, 2012 10:00 a.m.—Noon Highlands Ranch High School 9375 Cresthill Lane, Highlands Ranch South Metro Out of the Darkness Community Walk Sheri Cole cole1235@comcast.net 303.565.9215 Judy Cole judycole@hypermall.net 303.499.2054 CORRECTION: In the July 2012 Briefing Room, we reported that Colorado leads the nation in suicides. In fact, Colorado ranks sixth in the nation for suicide, according to AFSP.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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Colorado's oldest cop at 73 retires: "It's been one hell of a party."

At age 50, when most people start thinking about winding down, Mike Kirkland decided to be a cop. So, in 1987, he entered the police academy with a bunch of 20-year-olds. He claims he had no problems keeping up. "I left them in the dust."

For the first few years with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Mike worked as a volunteer deputy, then in 2007, he became a paid commissioned officer. He immediately got a lot of guff. "I've had people say to me, 'You're kind of old for a cop, aren't you?'" Kirkland said.

Like most deputies, he worked in the jail, on solo patrol, served civil warrants, investigated property crimes and crimes against people, went undercover and conducted background checks before ending up in his last assignment, working with the public in community resources.

"I owe the sheriff for allowing me to do this at my age and to keep making a contribution," Kirkland said. "The whole thing's been a party. I haven't done anything that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed."

After 25 years on the job, Kirkland hung up his uniform and badge on July 20th and will help protect his community as a Community Safety Volunteer (CSV).

"Working with Mike was such a privilege. He's been a team member and a mentor and I consider him family. Even though he was part time, he was here every day and whenever we needed him. I will miss seeing him so often," Sgt. Ron Hanavan, Kirkland’s supervisor, said.

Mike's age and experience benefited him as a deputy. He'd previously served in the U.S. Air Force as a combat patroller and did a couple of tours in Vietnam. He was in Washington during the Nixon-Ford years and calls them "amazing times." He retired from the Air Force in 1976 in Omaha, NB. In 1990, Kirkland began working for Miter Corporation as a systems engineer on an advanced underground command post. When that project was done, he moved to Colorado to work in Cheyenne Mountain on a missile warning system and in NORAD's counter drug program.

With a masters degree in criminal justice, Kirkland is also the lead faculty area chair for the criminal justice department at the University of Phoenix. He'll keep teaching after retiring as a deputy. He’ll also spend more time with his wife Lou and five kids.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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BOOKS, BIKES AND BULLIES Back to School Safety Tips It’s fall and that means back to school! The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office encourages you to get your kids ready for the new school year with these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids USA.

A SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS AT HOME • Teach your children your and their full names, address and phone numbers.

• Show them how to call 911 and give them contact info for a trusted adult they can call for help.

• Choose a backpack for your child with wide, comfortable straps. Carry as few books as possible and have your child use both backpack straps to avoid muscle strains.

• Pack your kids healthy lunches with fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products and water.

• Place the family computer in a public area and monitor who they talk to and where they go.

GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL • Walk the route with your kids and show them safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your child rides the bus, visit the bus stop to make sure they know which bus to take.

• Show kids how to get on and off the bus safely, stay in the line of site of the bus driver and how to check for traffic before crossing the street.

• Teach kids to always wear a bike helmet, ride their bikes in the same direction as traffic and to know and follow the rules of the road. Dress them in bright colors so drivers can see them.

• Practice “what if” situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell of your bike and needed help? Who would you ask?”

• Teach your kids that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and try to get away by kicking, screaming and fighting back.

AT SCHOOL • Remind your child that everyone’s nervous on their first day. Point out all of the benefits of going to school, doing activities and making friends.

• Talk to your kids about bullies. Show them how to look the bully in the eye, stand tall, be calm and walk away. Also teach them to stand up for others being bullied.

• Teach your child when and how to ask for help.

• Encourage your child to make friends. Support activities that interest your child.

AFTER SCHOOL • Tell you children to keep doors locked and to never open the door when you’re not home.

• During early and middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to watch over them after school until parents return home.

• If you use an after-school program, ask about the training of the staff, the staff-to-child ratio and inspect the rooms and playground to make sure they’re safe.

• Children should have a set time when they’re expected to be home and should check in with a neighbor or parent by telephone.

• Schedule ample time for homework with the television and radio off.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

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DOUGLAS COUNTY GOVERNMENT Upcoming events

Douglas County

Calendar at a Glance AUGUST 2012 * 9th-12th Douglas County Fair & Rodeo, Old fashioned county fair, parade and barbeque.

Various times. Douglas County Fairgrounds. For more info, visit www.douglascountyfairandrodeo.com/ * 11th Touch-a-truck Event. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch. Let your kids touch, climb in and hop on big trucks and vehicles and go on imaginary adventures. * 11th Household Chemical Roundup 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone park Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO. *11th Yellow Ribbon Day, Welcome home all returning veterans and troops. Events are 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Douglas County Veterans Memorial, 300 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock. *18th Child Safety Seat Inspections by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Traffic Team, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds & Events Center 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80104. In association with ‘Mothers of Multiples’ sale. Learn the right seat and proper fit for your child’s car seat.

SEPTEMBER 2012 * 8th South Metro “Out of the Darkness” community walk to prevent suicide. 9:00 a.m. registration, 10:00 a.m. walk. At Highlands Ranch High School. * 8th Mental Health, Criminal Justice Issues Symposium, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., University of Phoenix, Lone Tree Campus. Discussion about the homeless, school violence, elderly issues and more. * 15th Household Chemical Roundup. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Town of Castle Rock Utilities, 175 Kellogg Street, Castle Rock, CO.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-660-7505 www.dcsheriff.net Non emergency: 303-660-7500 Patrol: 303-660-7546 Jail Info: 303-660-7550 Traffic Safety Hotline: 303-660-7539 Case Tip Line: 303-660-7579 Community Resources: 303-660-7544 Records: 303-660-7545