Briefing Room October 2012

Sheriff David A. Weaver

October, 2012

A BEAR SCARE...

...IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN! Photo courtesy of Deputy Michelle Rademacher Douglas County Sheriff’s Office On Sept. 26, this bear wandered through Highlands Ranch until Wildlife officials tranquilized him and drove him home. The Sheriff’s Office warned neighbors with reverse 9-1-1.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS, page 2 SAFETY DAYS 2012, page 3 SHERIFF OPPOSES AMENDMENT 64, pages 4 & 5 THINGS TO DO THIS HALLOWEEN, page 8 FACEBOOK FEEDBACK, page 6 SUICIDE INTERVENTION CLASS, page 7 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

Trick-or-Treat

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Message from the Sheriff:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We hope you have a safe holiday.

Here are some tips to keep your ghosts and goblins safe.

• • • • • • • • • •

Trick-or-treat in a group of four or five. Take along a trusted adult with a flashlight.

Put reflective tape on all bags and costumes.

Costumes should be flame-resistant made of light or bright-colored material and short enough not to trip children.

Don’t bite until you know it’s all right. Check out your kids candy before they eat it. Limit sweets.

Only visit the homes of people who have porch lights on and only go to homes of people you know.

Walk! Never run across yards. Use sidewalks whenever possible.

Look out for traffic before you cross the street.

Costume accessories like toy guns, swords and knives should be soft.

Don’t commit vandalism. While the phrase is “Trick-or-Treat,” it’s illegal to damage other people’s property. Kids can be arrested and punished.

Set a curfew for your kids and remind them to be home on time.

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

Safety Days

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There wasn’t anywhere safer to be in Douglas County on September 22nd!

Getting the low-down about the bomb disposal robot

At this year’s Safety Days, deputies, bomb technicians, paramedics, the hazmat truck, SWAT team members, the Race-A-Cop car and crew, the Mobile Command Post, Douglas County Animal Control and K-9 units came out in full force to teach kids and their parents about safety.

The event was held by the Castle Pines North Businesses and Community.

Deputy Erik Vetter and Detective Mike Trindle Douglas County Bomb Technicians

Deputy in training

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

NO on 64

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Douglas County Sheriff votes NO to make pot legal across CO It’s bad for our kids, our community and is against federal law, Sheriff says This November, residents will vote on ballot measure Amendment 64, which would make it legal for any adult to have and use marijuana. It could also make Colorado the only state in the nation where it’s legal to ingest, grow, sell or give away an ounce of marijuana for recreational use.

“If voters pass this amendment, I believe there will be many harmful consequences,” Douglas County Sheriff David A. Weaver said. “Expect more crime, more kids using marijuana and pot for sale everywhere. I think our entire state will pay the price. Please join me in voting against Amendment 64 in November.”

Sheriff Weaver formed his opinion after a careful study of the issues and facts. The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution on September 26, 2012 opposing Amendment 64. The Colorado Educators Association is also against it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AMENDMENT 64 IT’S BAD FOR OUR KIDS • A new study says teens who regularly use marijuana have lower IQs long-term.

• People ages 12 to 17 are more likely to use marijuana in states that permit it than in states that don’t, according to Columbia University research.

• In Colorado, a 2011 study found nearly 40 percent of high school students use marijuana.

Nine percent of those kids tried it before they were 13.

• If the amendment passes, experts predict the number of regular users will at least double and likely triple in the most vulnerable 12 to 25 age range.

• Each year, 60 percent of all new marijuana users are under age 18.

• Treatment and addiction rates would rise. Marijuana dependency is the number one reason why teens in Colorado seek substance-abuse treatment. Reports show kids who try pot are twoto-three times more likely to use other drugs, including tobacco, cocaine and heroin.

• Since 2008, drug-related suspensions at Colorado public schools have increased 45 percent, which the CO Department of Education attributes to marijuana use.

How do kids say “No to drugs” when adults don’t? If parents use it, kids will too.

IT’S BAD FOR OUR COMMUNITY • Today’s marijuana is more addictive than ever—it’s 10-20 times more potent than during the 60’s, according to nationwide tests of the drug.

• Colorado will be known as “Pot Capital, USA.” In Denver alone, there are already more dispensaries than Starbucks, liquor stores or public schools, according to a 2010 Denver Post investigation. If legal, the number of dispensaries, growing and manufacturing facilities is expected to explode.

PLEASE SEE NEXT PAGE FOR MORE ON 64 Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

NO on 64

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A study estimates the state would generate $14 million a year and save law enforcement $12 million a year in the beginning, with up to $40 million a year in later years. However, opponents say that money will cover only 15% of the collateral costs to our community such as: increased drug treatment, emergency room visits, crime, traffic accidents and school ‘dropouts’ to name just a few.

• Economic losses. A work force that regularly uses marijuana is tardy, calls in sick, has more on-the-job accidents and is less productive than non-using workers. Businesses would be less likely to stay or move into a state where drug use related risks are high, according to a report

by Healthy and Drug Free Colorado.

• Deaths from impaired driving would increase. About 50 people are killed in traffic accidents every year by drivers in Colorado under the influence of marijuana. Experts predict the number of deaths would double.

• Supporters say marijuana would be regulated just like alcohol. But the federal government concludes the societal costs of treating alcohol and tobacco use far exceeds the revenue from taxing those drugs. The health cost from smoking cigarettes is about $7 per pack, while the revenue from taxing cigarettes is about $2 per pack, according to Ken Buck, District Attorney of Weld County.

• 80% of cities and towns across Colorado have already kicked out dispensaries because of crime, negative perception and lower property values. If Amendment 64 passes, suppliers could grow in residential areas as a Constitutional right.

• Recent studies find marijuana use may cause or worsen mental health problems. Two 2010 reviews say it may bring on the disorders or worsen symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis, particularly in young people.

Despite what users claim, Children’s Hospital Boston concludes marijuana is highly addictive.

It affects vision, memory, motor coordination and judgment.

IT’S A CRIME • Federal law bans marijuana in Colorado regardless of Amendment 64. If it passes, Colorado’s recreational pot users will believe they’re protected by law, but they may be subject to federal prosecution. The federal government could arrest users, sellers and buyers, according to the Colorado Independent.

• Crimes connected to medical marijuana have increased since it became legal for patients.

Police say there will only be more burglaries, robberies, illegal pot rings and homicides if voters approve the ballot measure.

1 Long-term effects of adolescent-onset and persistent use of cannabis PNAS 2012, Madeline H. Meier 2 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 8, 2012 “Risk Behavior Surveillance” 3 Healthy and Drug Free Colorado, 2011 “Top 10 reasons not to legalize marijuana” 4 Marijuana Prevention Summit, July 2012, presented by C. Tatum 5 Votenoon64.com, No on 64, posted on front page 09/24/12 6 Reuters, April 26, 2007 “US marijuana grows stronger than before” 7 Healthy and Drug Free Colorado.com website September 2012 8 The Denver Post, 09/23/12, “Should pot be legal in Colorado? No.” Author Ken Buck, Weld County District Attorney 9 The Boston Globe, September 24, 2012, “Pot Perceptions” 10 Denver Post, 8/18/12, “Indictment: dispensary part of illegal pot ring” & 08/27/09, “International drug cartels infiltrating CO’s national forests”

Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

“LIKE” US!

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NEW to The Briefing Room

FACEBOOK FEEDBACK https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriff “Kudos to Karen in the Records and Traffic Office! We got there at the wrong time and she went out of her way to help us. Thanks so much!” Facebook Fan ,September 2012 “Glad it didn't hurt anyone; it looks as if it was just enjoying this nice weather.” “Yikes! Look at the claws on him!” Two Facebook Fans wrote about the wandering bear.

“Agreed!!! Pot is considered a gateway drug. I worked as a drug and alcohol detox nurse in Alaska and I promise this is not something we want legalized here!” -A fan wrote about Sheriff Weaver’s stand against Amendment 64.

Want to know what’s going on in the

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office?

Please go to our FACEBOOK page and “LIKE” us!

• Ask us questions about law enforcement, safety issues and sign up for urgent alerts.

• Tell us what’s happening in your neighborhood, your schools, your work.

• Read the Sheriff’s blog, The Blue Blotter, about outstanding people in the DCSO. Vision: To BE THE LEADER in public safety!

GOOD TIMES

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DOUGLAS COUNTY GOVERNMENT Upcoming events

Douglas County

A

Calendar at a Glance OCTOBER 2012

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6th Oktoberfest in Castle Rock, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inside the Douglas County Events Center Building. German beer, food, music and free fun for the whole family.

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19th Taste & Business Expo, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Wildlife Experience. Two day event with a business expo and job fair on Friday. On Saturday, October 20th, the Taste of Paker will join the Biz expo. A family event that costs $1 and includes admission to the Wildlife Experience.

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19th Castle of Terror-Tower of the Dead, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Castle Rock fire training tower, 333 Malibu court, Castle Rock. Open two weekends, Oct 19-20 and Oct. 26-27. Have a good scare in a haunted house. Not recommended for kids. No child under 13 will be admitted without an adult. Tickets at the door are $10. Event benefits the Police and Fire Youth Explorer Programs.

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26th, Freaky Friday stories, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At the Highlands Ranch Parks and Rec Center, 3280 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch. Must register at www.highlandsranch.org/community/calendar.

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27th, Spooktakular Festival, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Castle Rock Recreation Center, Castle Rock. Free Halloween fun for the little ones and families. Open to all ages.

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27th Highlands Ranch Trick-or-Treat Street , 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A fun, safe and warm event that’s fun for the entire family. Eastridge Recreation Center. Children ages 12 and under are invited to put on costumes, grab their trick-or-treat bags and join the fun. The cost is $1.00 per trick-or-treater and each family may select a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch while supplies last. Cash or check only, no credit cards.

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

Vision: To BEVision: THE LEADER To BE THE in public LEADER safety! in public safety!