There are few things more frustrating; i.e. that'll piss you off more, than going to your vehicle and discovering that some asshole has broken in and stolen your goodies.  The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has been working diligently with the Castle Rock Police Department, Castle Pines Security Services, Parker Police Department and Lone Tree Police Department to combat vehicle break-ins.  Their efforts are working!   

Tips and News from the Douglas County Colorado Sheriff's Office:

Trespasses to vehicles are DOWN 28%!

Posted on August 21, 2015

Trespasses to vehicles are DOWN 28%! Let’s keep this trend going and don’t create a Crime of Opportunity. Thieves like to hit vehicles when they know the owners will be gone for a while:  park and trailheads, movie theatres, and mass transit parking lots are prime locations.
Here are some tips and reminders to limit crimes of opportunity:

• Limit personal items left in your vehicle and keep them out of sight
• Place bags, purses, and other valuables in the trunk PRIOR to getting to your destination. You never know who is watching
• Never leave a convertible top down
• Never leave car windows open or doors unlocked

Other preventative options:

• Invest in a hitch safe or car safe

Respectfully,

Bond Squad Bail Bonds

Douglas County Sheriff's Office Announces Text 911 Service

New Update from the Douglas County Colorado Sheriff's Office:

Douglas County Emergency Telephone Authority Announces the Ability to Send Text message to 911

Posted on June 26, 2015

The Douglas County Emergency Telephone Service Authority (DCETSA) is pleased to announce the ability to send a text message to 9-1-1 as an integrated service to our 9-1-1 network and 9-1-1 equipment. Thorough testing has been conducted and Text to 9-1-1 is live, for the public in Douglas and Elbert Counties.
Texting to 9-1-1 provides accessibility to the hearing and speech impaired population and provides an alternative to reach help in a dangerous situation when a voice call is not possible or where a voice call fails due to a high volume of phone activity but texting is successful.
DCETSA 9-1-1 is excited to enhance our public safety services and join other Colorado agencies such as Arapahoe, Jefferson, Broomfield, Larimer, Eagle, Pitkin, Mesa and Garfield Counties who are already providing this service.

How to text to 9-1-1 in an emergency:

• Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field.
• The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the

emergency and type of help needed.

• Push the “Send” button.
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
• Text in simple words- do not use abbreviations.
• Keep the text message brief and concise.

When to text to 9-1-1

• If you are hearing impaired.
• When a voice call could increase a threat.
• If you are injured and cannot speak.
• If you are in a remote location and can only send a text message.

Currently, the four major carriers; AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have agreed to offer the text to 9-1-1 service. However, this does not mean that the service is available in all areas. Should you be out of the area, for that Carrier, you will receive a message stating that the text service is not available and to call 9-1-1. Photos, videos and other attachments cannot currently be sent to 911 via text, although those capabilities will be available in the future.

DCETSA is the governing authority for the administration of 9-1-1 in Douglas County, Colorado. DCETSA 9-1-1 supports three (3) 9-1-1 centers in Douglas County; Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Castle Rock Police Department, and joint communications of Lone Tree and Parker Police Departments, as well as the Castle Rock Fire Department, South Metro Fire Rescue, Littleton, West Douglas, Larkspur, Franktown, Jackson 105, Mountain Communities, North Fork and West Metro Fire Protection Districts.

CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU MUST

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy will sing in D.C. at fallen officers vigil

Douglas deputy to sing in D.C.

Deputy Elzi will perform at vigil for fallen officers

Deputy Dawn Elzi of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be performing the national anthem at the candle light vigil for fallen officers in Washington DC May 13 as part of national police week.

Courtesy photo

Posted Monday, May 4, 2015 6:45 pm

Mike DiFerdinando

A voice from Douglas County will go out across the nation to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the last year.
Deputy Dawn Elzi of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office will have the honor of performing the national anthem in Washington, D.C., at a candlelight vigil May 13 for fallen officers as part of National Police Week.
Deputy Elzi will be part of a larger honor guard contingent from Douglas County that will be making the trip to Washington. She answered some questions from Colorado Community Media:
How did you end up being chosen to sing?
The Washington, D.C. (Fraternal Order of Police) has a spot on their website where you can submit a demo tape and a little bio and you're basically putting in for singing at the candlelight vigil, which is the big ceremony for the week. The DC sheriff's office is sending me as part of our honor guard to go anyway. When I received my confirmation email that listed the things we would be doing as part of the honor guard, in the email they asked me if I would be available for the national anthem ceremony for the fallen officers. Of course I accepted.
How does it feel to be chosen to sing at such a big event?
I'm very excited. It's quite an honor to participate, period, in the week, but then to be picked for something like that is pretty awesome. There will be agencies there from across the country and some even internationally.
Considering all that has gone on this year with law enforcement across the country, do you feel an extra sense of purpose?
Very much so. It's difficult in our line of work sometimes to feel like we're making a positive difference in the lives of the community and the lives of our brothers and sisters in blue. So I think that it's an honor to be chosen to participate in something like that. Very honored to represent Douglas County and Colorado.
Any nerves?
Oh, my gosh, yes. Of course I'm worried about nerves. Absolutely. I mean I'm human, so I worry about making sure everything is right and that I sound good and make everybody proud.

Congratulations Deputy Elzi and Thank You for your service!

Bond Squad Bail Bonds
http://www.bondsquadbailbonds.com/

 

Douglas County Jail gets new Medical Unit

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Opens New Medical Unit to Take Care of Inmates, Saves Taxpayer Money and Resources

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has opened their new eight bed medical unit and is already taking care of inmates with medical needs. The medical unit is part of the completion of the justice center expansion project. The ability to house inmates with medical needs saves money and resources for the county and ultimately, taxpayers. DCSO now has the ability to care for inmates with certain medical needs in its own facility instead of having them rehabilitate at a hospital which can cost more because of hospital fees and 24 hour on-site security by DCSO deputies.
Sheriff Spurlock said: “The vision and commitment to better serve our citizens, employees, judges and inmate population while also increasing safety and security was a collaboration of Douglas County Government (including the Board of County Commissioners, Douglas County Facilities and DCSO). This collaboration included careful deliberation and forethought while being fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer revenue.”
The Justice Center expansion started in August of 2012 which comprised of the renovation and expansion of the County’s justice center to address serious concerns about facilities for inmates with mental illness, inmates with medical issues, ADA requirements, overall site security as well as lack of secure parking for staff department assets and Judicial staff.
The first phase of the project was the parking garage, which was completed in November of 2013. The completion of the parking garage now affords additional employee parking, along with secured parking spaces for law enforcement vehicles as well as security needs for other department assets.
The second and final phase, renovation and expansion of the detention facility are now complete. This expansion phase was the reconfiguration and repurposing of existing housing areas to provide for ADA requirements, plumbing issues and other internal space remodel needs and to enhance site security, and ingress and egress issues. DCSO now has the capability to house and treat special populations, minor medical issues and recovery on site, mental health populations, additional females and segregation of female special populations more effectively and efficiently.
The total project was allocated $25 million and was completed on time and on budget, funded by the Justice Center Sales tax which was approved by voters in 1995 and extended in 2007.
The dedicated funds used for these expansions have come from the sales tax paid for by, not only Douglas County citizens, but an estimated 65% of non-citizens who shop in Douglas County. Ironically, this percentage is not that different from the Detentions Center average non-resident inmate population of approximately 50-60%.

Bond Squad Bail Bonds
4833 Front St., Unit #B-109
Castle Rock, CO  80104
720-733-8844
bondsquadbailbonds.com

 

Douglas County Jail, Douglas County Sheriff's Office Seeks Help Identifying Theft Suspects

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Help in Identifying Theft Suspect(s)

Posted on July 24, 2014

The Colorado Lottery Investigations Office and The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying and locating 2 person(s) of interest wanted for questioning in several separate theft cases in the Denver Metro Area.
In July of this year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a theft case in which a male goes behind the counter and steals lottery tickets. These similar incidents have also occurred in Arapahoe County, Greenwood Village and Parker.
The male is described as a white male, in his 30’s or 40’s, 185-240 pounds, heavyset, short dark hair.
The female is described as a white female, 20’s, 5’07-5’09, 135-150 pounds, blond hair or wig.
They may be traveling in a newer model black 4-door sedan, possibly a Hyundai Elantra.
If you can identify the subjects or have any additional information on these cases, please contact Investigator T. Krebs at (303) 759-6824 with information or your local law enforcement agency.
This is an active and ongoing investigation and no other details are being released at this time.

Douglas County Colorado Sheriff Appoints Chief Deputy

Sheriff Tony Spurlock Appoints CBI Deputy Director to Chief Deputy

Posted on July 28, 2014

Sheriff Spurlock will appoint Steve Johnson to Chief Deputy at a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) promotion ceremony on August 4, 2014. Steve Johnson will be leaving his current position as Deputy Director of Investigations for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 1^st to join Sheriff Spurlock’s command staff and oversee the Law Enforcement Bureau of DCSO.
“I view the work of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as some of the best in the state and beyond,” Johnson said. “To join this team is a dream.”
As deputy director of the CBI, Johnson led major state investigations including high-profile murders, drug rings, public corruption and more. As Sheriff Spurlock’s Chief Deputy of the Law Enforcement Bureau, Johnson will oversee Patrol and Investigations.
Sheriff Spurlock says “Steve Johnson brings with him extensive law enforcement experience and knowledge that will benefit the citizens and employees of Douglas County”.
Johnson has worked in law enforcement for 34 years. He joined the CBI as an agent in 2001 following a 21 year career at Littleton Police Department. He and his wife have lived in Douglas County for 28 years and have two children.
CBI Director Ronald Sloan says the news that Johnson is joining the DCSO is bittersweet.
“Although this represents a loss to the citizens of Colorado as a whole, it is a tremendous gain for the community of Douglas County…His performance in providing guidance and support of everything from the most complex to the seemingly menial investigations and projects has been nothing short of exceptional.”
Promotion/ swearing-in ceremony:
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109
Monday, August 4, 2014 @ 9:00 A.M

About Steve Johnson
Steve began his career with the Littleton Police Department in 1980. He retired from the Littleton Police Department in 2001 and joined the Colorado Bureau of Investigation as a field agent assigned to the Denver Major Crimes Unit. He also served as the agent-in-charge of that unit and as division director before becoming deputy director for the Denver, Pueblo and Grand Junction investigative units. He was named Police Officer of the Year for his leadership in the 18^th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Team. He also received the CBI’s Award of Excellence for his service during the 2006 Platte Canyon High School tragedy.

Deposit Bail: A house of cards built on sand

Early this past week a bill was introduced in the State Legislature entitled Concerning the establishment of an Alternative Bond Program; A.K.A. SB 11-186.  This bill provides that a judicial district may establish a deposit bail bond program that would work as follows: A judge would set the amount and type of bail that a defendant had to post. The new alternative bond would be posted directly to the court; not through a bail agent, and would be administered by the pretrial services agency. The bill stipulates that 50% of the money would go toward the administration of the program and the other 50% would be available to be returned to the defendant unless there are court costs, fines or restitution to be paid. Make no mistake about it, little will ever be returned to a defendant as there are almost always court costs and fines assessed.

A hearing was conducted before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the room was so full of interested citizens that the meeting had to be moved the the old Supreme Court room. At one point, committee Chair, Senator Morgan Carroll asked all who opposed the bill to stand. Almost all stood. Opponents and proponents had the opportunity to testify. Bail agents said the bill would put them out of business. Insurance companies said the they would leave the state. Proponents of the bill testified that would not happen.

Interesting. Small business owners said that they would go out of business. Companies that insure the small businesses said that they would leave the state. However, government lawyers said that would not be the case. Who knows more about whether they can remain in business than the small business owner and the companies that work with them?

The proponents also said that the bill would increase public safety. This will be accomplished by “monitoring” the defendants more closely than bail agents do. What this really means is that people on deposit bonds who are supervised by pretrial services will be forced to pay for services such as meetings, random blood and/urine tests for alcohol and other substances. These are people that have yet to be convicted.

Denver Post columnist, Bill Johnson wrote and article Switch in bail-bond rules would ensure less safety calling this bill “one of the most appalling pieces of legislation of the session.”  ”…people basically will have to wear the scarlet letter jewelry of the convicted, and undergo and pay for classes and tests despite being convicted of absolutely nothing…SB 186 is nothing more than a desperate money grab by a hopelessly cash-strapped state government that for some reason now believes it can do a job that is being effectively handled by private companies and citizens.”

Despite the overwhelming opposition in the room, the bill made it through the committee by a vote of 6 to 2. Does government really listen to the people anymore?