HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Public Safety Committee 2008-03-27RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 27, 2008
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE of the
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town
Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 27th day of March, 2008.
Committee: Chairman Newsom, Trustees Blackhurst and Eisenlauer
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Chief Kufeld, Chief Dorman and Clerk
Williamson
Absent: None
Chairman Newsom called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike Wallace/Town Citizen expressed concern with the relocation of the emergency
services dispatching to the valley. He stated with a tourist community it is important to
have dispatchers locally that understand the uniqueness of the valley. He also is
concerned with a possible interruption of service.
Trustee Blackhurst stated the issue of relocating dispatching services has been
discussed at the staff level for the past two years and there has been no discussion at
the Committee level. Trustee Eisenlauer commented the Committee has expressed the
same concerns raised by Mr. Wallace.
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson commented as a member of the LETA Board
discussions have taken place for the past three years on the benefits of a centralized
dispatch center. A model of cost and operations has recently be presented to the
county and local managers.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Report:
1. Municipal Court Annual Report: Judge Brown reviewed the 2007 annual report
stating the number of cases increased in 2007. The municipal fee schedule was
revised increasing the revenues for 2007. He stated the use of electronic
ticketing has provided an increase in accuracy and a more efficient court
process. Training will be held for the Police Dept. to review the proper procedure
for presenting and entering evidence in to the record, proving jurisdiction and a
general review of the court process. Court Clerk Stapleton has translated court
paperwork into Spanish to aid the increasing Hispanic population in Estes Park.
The court has also seen an increase in the number of juvenile cases with a
School Resource Officer at the schools.
2. Drug Abuse/Prevention Update: Officer Phillips stated for the past two years
the Police Dept. has employed interdiction through traffic stops, drug task force
and community policing. Traffic interdiction has lead to 22 stops with the seizure
of drugs and drug paraphernalia. An officer was assigned to the Larimer County
Drug Task Force. The force provides intelligence, investigation, equipment and
manpower. The relationship also provides Estes Park Police Dept. the
opportunity to participate in multi -agency training. Community policing has lead
to informants providing information in multiple arrests and seizure of drugs.
3. End of Year Statistics: Sergeant Pass presented the statistics for 2007. He
stated total incidents have increased over the past two years with 59% initiated
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Public Safety Committee — March 27, 2008 — Page 2
by the police officer and 41% by dispatch. Patrol had a clearance rate of 75% for
2007 and an increase in the number of cases over 2006. The case load was
down for investigations with a clearance rate of 68%. The total arrests were
down for 2007; however, juvenile cases have increased. There has been a
decrease in the number of administrative calls with the relocation of the Larimer
County Sheriff's office and the CVB. 2007 showed an increase in service calls.
A small portion of the service calls are due to monitoring calls for RMNP, L&P,
Water and Streets after hours.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Development — Request Approval.
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a document that identifies community
issues and risks regarding wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community
preparedness and structure protection. The process of developing a CWPP can assist
a community in clarifying or refining its priorities for the protection of life, property and
critical infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface. This document would allow the
Fire Department to apply for additional grants for fire mitigation/beetle. Several
neighboring communities have already developed plans or are in the process and
include Glen Haven, Pinewood Springs, Allenspark and the East Portal (Windcliff,
Thunder Mountain and the YMCA). Staff would anticipate the document would take 6 to
12 months to complete with a draft completed by October 31, 2008 and a final
document completed by the end of the year. After further discussion, the Committee
recommends approval to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Estes
Park.
MISCELLANEOUS
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson stated the members of the Fire Service Task
Force will be selected and the first meeting will be held on April 2nd
Trustee Blackhurst questioned the use of the pagers for emergency services. Chief
Dorman stated some calls are sent as a text message and not over the radio. Also,
general messages are sent to the volunteer fire personnel. The effectiveness of cell
phones in the valley is also a concern. The pagers provide off duty personnel the ability
to receive information during a crisis no matter their location.
The Committee and staff thanked Chairman Newsom for his service to the Committee
and the Board. Chairman Newsom stated it has been a pleasure to work on the Board.
There being no further business, Chairman Newsom adjourned the meeting at 9:24 a.m.
•
ckie Williamson, Town Clerk
APPROVED
APR - 8 2008
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
BOARD OF TRUSTEES