Alumni/Neighborhood Watch Newsletter Sharing Information with Our Citizens Academy Graduates, CERT Members and Neighborhood Watch Volume 10: Issue 2 2nd Quarter 2015 Shred-A-Thon Join us for the 2015 9News Shred-a-Thon benefiting the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers program. The Shred-a-Thon will take place at the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office building located at 13101 East Broncos Parkway, on Saturday, May 16, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You can bring old credit card offers, tax returns, bank statements and outof-date legal documents to the Shred-a-Thon to be shredded by license and bonded shredders under the watchful eyes of the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office. Shred-it, Inc. volunteers to shred up to three legal-sized file boxes or kitchen sized trash bags full of sensitive documents in exchange for a voluntary donation to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. The company recycles 100 percent of the documents after shredding the paper into thumbnail sized pieces. Those pieces are then bundled and shipped to a facility where they are turned into paper products like plates and towels. David C. Walcher, Sheriff IN THIS ISSUE: Shred-A-Thon Nextdoor Phone Scam Coffee With A Cop Fireworks Burglary Prevention New K-9 s Explorer Program Tip-A-Cop Polar Plunge 2015 Business Watch Alumni Meeting Youth Academy Application
Nextdoor: Social Networking for Neighborhoods Page 2 Are you looking for a way to stay in touch with your neighbors? Or with other residents within your subdivision? Well then, look no further as a new social networking site developed specifically for neighborhoods is here. And best of all, it s free! Nextdoor is the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and can make your lives and communities safer. Already, thousands of neighborhoods across the U.S. are using Nextdoor to help build stronger communities. Nextdoor will also enhance your Neighborhood Watch program and is a great tool to keep in touch with your neighbors. People are also using Nextdoor for a variety of other reasons from finding a trusted babysitter or lost pet, advertising a garage sale, or passing along information regarding criminal activity. From a law enforcement perspective Nextdoor is a valuable resource. Citizens are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. When people within a neighborhood come together and share information about events or crime occurring in their area, the whole community wins. For more information please visit www.nextdoor.com. Phone Scam The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office has received reports of citizens receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers from the Sheriff s Office. The impersonators say they have a warrant for the person answering the phone or a member of that person's family. The caller then tells the victim to wire money immediately to prevent them from being arrested or a warrant from being served. This fraudulent scheme has occurred in the past and recently has been reported throughout the Denver area. To protect yourself, the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office recommends: Do not depend solely on Caller ID. Law enforcement agencies do not contact citizens by phone, email, fax, etc., to require payment of funds for warrants, fees or fines. Citizens should always be wary of anyone calling and asking or demanding money for any reason. Never provide personal information over the phone or computer to an unidentified person or organization. If the caller seems to have all the right information, please check the caller s story with local law enforcement agencies before you consider sending money or giving information to the caller. The Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office encourages citizens to report suspicious activity, which can be any person, act, event, vehicle or situation that appears questionable. Trust your instincts! If it just doesn t seem right that is when you should call the Sheriff s Office. If you have any questions, please contact: Deputy Scott Sickafoose at 720-874-4040 or ssickafoose@arapahoegov.com Deputy Brian McKnight at 720-874-3750 or bmcknight@arapahoegov.com To report a crime, call the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office at (303)-795-4711 or 911 for emergencies.
Page 3 Join the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office and Greenwood Village Police Department for Coffee with a Cop Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 9:00am-11:00am at Whole Foods 6853 S. York Street located within the Streets at SouthGlenn MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS AND OFFICERS FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION! No agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood! For more information please contact Deputy Scott Sickafoose at 720-874-4040 with the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office or Officer Rodney Valenzuela at 303-773-2525 with the Greenwood Village Police Department. Visit us at www.arapahoesheriff.org or follow us on Twitter@arapahoeso David C. Walcher, Sheriff
Fireworks Advisory Page 4 As Independence Day approaches, it is important to know where one can celebrate the holiday safely. It is also essential to understand the legal ramifications regarding the use of fireworks. Under Colorado state law the sales and use of legal fireworks cannot be prohibited in an unincorporated county area where a fire protection district exists. Municipalities, under home rule, can adopt ordinances that are more restrictive than state law including prohibiting sales, use, and possession of all fireworks within the city boundaries. Each year the careless use of fireworks contributes to personal injuries and large financial losses to property owners, insurance companies and the community. Use of fireworks could also result in criminal charges such as arson, criminal mischief, and reckless endangerment, as well as civil penalties for damages caused from the fireworks. The City of Centennial has adopted ordinance 2004-17 section 10-10-30 which bans the sale, use, and possession of all fireworks within the city limits, with the exception of a professional outdoor fireworks display. Other cities in Colorado have adopted similar ordinances. The maximum fine for possession and/or use of fireworks within Centennial is $1,000. The use of illegal fireworks in unincorporated county areas is a Class 3 Misdemeanor and is punishable with fines up to a maximum of $750 and/or up to six months imprisonment. The towns of Foxfield, Bennett and Deer Trail have not adopted their own fireworks ordinances, thus they fall under the same enforcement laws as Unincorporated Arapahoe County. In order to avoid accidents and legal consequences, the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office recommends that you celebrate the holiday by watching professional fireworks shows. To report fireworks violations, or file a complaint of fireworks usage in your area, call (303) 795-4711. For all true emergency situations call 911. Home Security Burglary Prevention Home security is an important aspect of crime prevention. During the work day, when there is minimal activity in the neighborhood, and late at night are prime times for burglaries to occur. Every home can be a target; don t let it happen to you. There are several steps you can take to prevent a burglary and secure your belongings and yourself. Home Security and Burglary Prevention Tips: Always lock doors and windows, even on the 2 nd floor. Motion-sensitive lights increase your home s visibility by limiting hiding places. Do not leave valuables in open view from the street. Trim bushes and trees to light up dark spaces so that burglars cannot hide. A barking dog can bring unwanted attention to burglars. Do not leave spare keys in an easy to find place. If you can, have a combination or code lock to get to the spare key. Timers on outdoor lamps, radios and televisions create the impression that someone is at home when you are on vacation or out of town. Help reduce crime by securing your home. If your home is burglarized, even if just one item is stolen, report it immediately to the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office.
New K9 s Page 5 A special thank you to the City of Centennial for funding two additional K9 teams for the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office for a total of four K9 s now patrolling Arapahoe County. A very special thank you to citizen Betty Roberts for generously sponsoring K9 s for ACSO for many, many years. Photo left to right: K9 Kilo and his handler Deputy Kelly Draper, K9 Thor and his handler Deputy Gordon Carroll, K9 Orry and his handler Deputy Adam Lendi, and K9 Smokey and his handler Deputy Dustin Wade. Explorer Program The Explorer Program is an educational program for high school students ages 14-20 with an interest in law enforcement. Once accepted into the program, explorers attend an abbreviated law enforcement academy in the fall or spring. Explorers also meet twice a month to learn about the law enforcement profession. Training topics include: traffic control, traffic stops, arrest control, criminal code, patrol procedures, building searches, crime scene investigation, crisis intervention, report writing, and firearms safety. Explorers also help with community events, crime scene searches, and special details as needed by the department. Explorers may attend a regional conference each summer where they compete against other law enforcement explorers from multiple states. Additional requirements: High school student/graduate 2.0 GPA Ability to volunteer 10 hours per month Must pass a background check If you know of anyone who meets the above requirements and has an interest in law enforcement, please call Lieutenant Kevin Heaton at 720-874-3898.
Chili's Tip-A-Cop event July 19th Page 6 Chili s has opened their doors to Special Olympics Colorado and is participating in the Tip-A-Cop event in all of their 21 restaurants across Colorado! The Tip-A- Cop event consists of local law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes helping Chili s wait staff service customers with drinks and food. It s always a GREAT time, so plan on dining out the evening of July 19, 2015! Please visit a Chili s in your area and help support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Colorado. Employees from the Sheriff s Office will be at the Chili s on Arapahoe Road and Parker Road. Help us be the number one fundraising group in the state. Polar Plunge 2015 On February 7, 2015, employees, family members and friends of the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office plunged into the cold 36 water at the Aurora Reservoir to help raise funds for Special Olympics Colorado. The Sheriff s Office was the highest fundraising law enforcement team raising over $11,000. The Aurora Polar Plunge is sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, collecting over $87,000 for Special Olympics Colorado. The Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Colorado had a VERY SUCCESSFUL Polar Plunge series this year raising $458,680 for the five plunges across the state. Thank you for making a difference!
Business Watch Page 7 On March 17, Arapahoe County conducted an active shooter exercise at the Administration Building for the approximately 500 employees who work there. The training went off smoothly and quickly, but the experience and knowledge the employees gained will last a lifetime. Lieutenant Nathan Fogg, Office of Emergency Management, and Scott Kellar, Regional Homeland Security Coordinator, collaborated with Sheriff's Office staff, Risk Manager Pat Skahill and members of the Administration Building Emergency Response Team to plan and execute the drill. "The County's first active shooter drill was a success. Most of the objectives were achieved, with employees being able to evacuate or shelter quickly. We've begun training our employees to become survivors, not victims," Lieutenant Fogg said. "I m proud of our employees and the way they responded during the drill. We learned a lot and as a building we re better prepared for such an emergency," said Pat Skahill. Thanks to the support and dedication of the Board of County Commissioners, additional exercises are in the planning stages so that all county employees will receive this valuable and, potentially, life-saving training. Alumni Meeting Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office Community Resources Unit Kenneth McKlem, Lieutenant (Office) 720-874-3759 email kmcklem@arapahoegov.com Brian McKnight, Deputy (Office) 720-874-3750 email bmcknight@arapahoegov.com Scott Sickafoose, Deputy (Office) 720-874-4040 email ssickafoose@arapahoegov.com Please join us at our next Alumni Meeting on: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office. Subject: Active Shooter Training Emergency Management RSVP by May 12, 2015 to: Deputy Brian McKnight at 720-874-3750 or bmcknight@arapahoegov.com To be eligible to attend an Alumni Meeting, you must be a graduate of one of our Citizens Academies.
Youth Academy 2015 Dear Citizen, I would like to invite you to participate in a very exciting and unique opportunity. The Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office will be conducting a series of citizen public safety academies throughout 2015. These academies are designed to provide you with a behind the scenes look at your Sheriff s Office. Building upon the principles of Community Oriented Policing, Partnerships and Problem Solving, the Sheriff s Office began conducting these academies in 1995. Today we provide these informative academies for citizens and teens. I look forward to seeing you at one of these academies. Respectfully, David C. Walcher Sheriff Youth Academy June 8 12, 2015 Participation in the academy requires a commitment of six days, Monday through Friday from 9a.m. 4p.m. The academy is held at the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Of ice located at 13101 East Broncos Parkway in Centennial. Lunch will be provided daily and students will receive an academy t shirt. There is no fee to attend the academy; however, the class size is limited to 30 participants, 14 to 18 years of age. Graduation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 4:00p.m., and family members are encouraged to attend. The academy provides young adults within our community an opportunity to explore the responsibilities and challenges of public safety in Arapahoe County. Registration If you are interested in attending the Youth Academy, please complete the application on the next page and return it, along with a copy of your photo I.D./ drivers license, to Deputy Brian McKnight at bmcknight@arapahoegov.com or mail to 13101 East Broncos Parkway, Centennial, CO 80112. All applications are subject to a criminal background check and applicants will not be allowed to participate unless the release of liability has been signed and turned in prior to the start of the academy. Applicants will be noti ied once background checks are completed. If you have any questions, please call Deputy Brian McKnight at 720 874 3750.
Youth Academy 2015 Application and Waiver Agreement PRINT ALL INFORMATION LEGIBLY Name: Address: City: Zip Code: Home/Cell Phone: ( ) Work: ( ) E-mail: In case of emergency contact: Name Relationship Phone Number MANDATORY INFORMATION BELOW (for background clearance only) Social Security #: DOB: Race: Drivers License #: State: Gender: Employer/ School: Name of Business Occupation Address / City / State / Zip Code Phone Number School s SRO Approval: School Resource Officer Signature/Youth Academy only Criminal History: Have you ever been arrested and convicted of a crime other than a traffic offense? Yes: No: If Yes, please explain: Will you need any reasonable accommodations to attend this class? Yes: No: If YES, please explain: Will you be able to attend all of the classes? Yes: No: If NO, please explain: Below For Official Use Only: Agency RMS NO YES (see attached) Completed By Date CBI STATE COMPUTER: CLEAR Yes No (see attached) DL STATUS Yes (Valid) No CRIMINAL HISTORY Yes (see attached) No COMPLETED BY DATE
I certify that the information on this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I also grant the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office permission to verify the above information contained on this application through the use of an investigative background inquiry including criminal convictions, motor vehicle records and other reports. I understand that the Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office may request information from various federal, state and other agencies, which maintain records concerning my past activities relating to driving, civil, and other experiences. Signature: Date: In consideration of the training and education I will receive by being a participant in the Citizens Academy, I, the undersigned, release Arapahoe County and its employees of any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action which I may hereafter have on account of any and all injuries and damages to me, or to my property, or my death arising out of or related to any happenings or occurrence while participating. I promise to release and not sue said persons, and agree to forever hold them harmless from such liability, claims, actions, or causes of action. The terms hereto shall be in full force and effect on the date hereof and any other occasion when I may accompany any deputy sheriff(s) of Arapahoe County, Colorado. I have read and understand the conditions of this program and hereby agree to voluntarily assume all risk of loss, damage, injury or death, which may be sustained while participating in the Citizens Academy or accompanying said ACSO deputy(s). The release and agreement shall be binding upon by my heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns and shall insure to the benefit of said County, agents, public officials and persons herein designated, and their heirs, executives, administrators, personal representatives, assigns and successors in office. Signature: Date: I, the undersigned, represent that I am the legally appointed guardian of the above person who is less than 18 years of age, that he/she has signed the foregoing document with my full knowledge and consent, and that I join in the execution of the same and agree to the terms thereof and hereby bind myself and independently agree to the same terms and provisions for myself, my heirs, executors, personal representatives and assigns. Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date: Cleared NCIC/CCIC/In-house By: Please mail or fax to 720-874-3891 this application and a copy of your driver s license to: Arapahoe County Sheriff s Office Community Resources Unit 13101 East Broncos Parkway Centennial, CO 80112 DEADLINE: ONE WEEK BEFORE ACADEMY