City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Boulder police arrest suspect in FirstBank robbery
Mar 22nd
Boulder police arrested the suspect involved in last weekend’s robbery at FirstBank just before 5 p.m. on March 21, 2013.
James William Cranfill (DOB 7/01/1957) was arrested near the Municipal Campus after investigators developed information on the suspect’s identity from a Crime Stopper’s tip.
The bank robbery occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 9:17 a.m. at the FirstBank branch located at 2835 Pearl St. The suspect walked up to a teller, then produced a bag and a note which demanded cash. The teller complied and the suspect fled the building.
Police publicized a surveillance photo from the robbery, and that photo led to the Crime Stopper’s tip.
On March 21, a two-officer plain clothes unit spotted Cranfill and began surveillance. The plain clothes officers called for uniformed officers when Cranfill parked his car in the parking lot between the Municipal Building and the Boulder Public Library. The uniformed officers had not yet arrived when Cranfill exited his car and began moving quickly from the Canyon side of the Municipal Campus toward the Arapahoe side of the Municipal Campus. The plain clothes officers identified themselves as Boulder police officers, at which point the suspect began running away from them and into a large crowd of onlookers. The suspect fell down and the plain clothes officers began to gain control of him. The suspect continued to struggle, yell and resist arrest.
A large crowd of people began to surround the officers and the suspect. They were hostile to the officers as they tried to gain control of the suspect. A male in the crowd lifted up a nearby bicycle and threatened to strike one of the police officers with it. He ran away when police instructed him to stay back.
Once the suspect was subdued, he feigned a heart attack and was taken to the hospital to be checked out. He was later transported to the Boulder County Jail.
The case number is 13-3432, and police are continuing to investigate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kurt Foster at 303-441-4329. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website atwww.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
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Smoking ban on Pearl Street Mall has Teeth
Mar 21st
Enforcement of smoking ban on Pearl Street Mall begins April 1
The ordinance banning smoking on the Pearl Street Mall went into effect on Jan. 18, 2013. The ordinance bans all smoking between 11th and 15th streets on the Pearl Street Mall, and on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse. The maximum penalty for a first or second offense within two years is a fine of $500; a third and subsequent conviction within two years triggers the general penalty provision of a maximum $1,000 fine and/or maximum of 90 days in jail.
Boulder police officers who patrol on the Pearl Street Mall have been educating people about the smoking ban since it went into effect, and have not written any tickets while the signs were being manufactured. On Monday, April 1, the ordinance will be fully implemented, and enforcement will begin.
Signs were ordered after City Council approved the ordinance in December; however there was a delay in the sign manufacturing. The signs on the mall are custom enameled and take longer to fabricate. The enamel signs are more resistant to graffiti and other tampering.
The city is collaborating with several partners, including Boulder County Public Health and Downtown Boulder, Inc. (DBI), to create a coordinated educational campaign for downtown employees and visitors about the smoking ban on the mall. A celebration event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall, where county, city and DBI staff will be available to answer questions about the smoking ban and about free resources available for individuals who wish to quit smoking.
City manager approves business incentive for Gnip
Mar 15th
Ed note: See the city’s response at the end of the article
City Manager Jane S. Brautigam has approved a flexible rebate application for Boulder-based Gnip for up to $45,000 in rebates. The rebates were authorized for sales and use taxes, and permit-related fees.
City Manager Jane S. Brautigam has approved a flexible rebate application for Boulder-based Gnip for up to $45,000 in rebates. The rebates were authorized for sales and use taxes, and permit-related fees.
“Gnip is a fast-growing company in Boulder’s thriving downtown and high-tech communities,” Brautigam said. “The city is very pleased that it can support Gnip’s expansion so it can grow as an industry leader, delivering three billion social media activities per day.”
The flexible rebate program is one of the city’s business incentives, covering a wide range of fees, equipment and construction use taxes. Under this program, the city manager may consider a specific incentive package for tax and fee rebates to meet a company’s specific needs. The company is then eligible for the rebate after it has made its investment and paid the taxes or fees to the city.
Gnip is the largest provider of social data in the world, partnering with Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and WordPress, among others, to aggregate social media data and information for their clients. Founded in 2008, the company has emerged as a leader in the social media industry. With 50 employees, Gnip recently expanded into a new space at 1050 Walnut, Suite 115, to maintain its presence in downtown Boulder. In addition, Gnip was named “best place to work” by both the Boulder Chamber and the Denver Business Journal.
“We’re excited to be a based in Boulder and we think our growth is facilitated by the many advantages offered by the City of Boulder”, said Gnip CEO Jud Valeski. “We think Boulder offers the world’s best place to work and live.”
The flexible rebate program uses social, community, and environmental sustainability guidelines. Companies choose the guidelines that best fit their circumstances, but must meet minimum requirements in order to receive the rebate. Gnip has exceeded the requirements and, of note, the company has initiated the Gnip Gives Back program. This program coordinates charitable giving and organizes group service opportunities for the company to participate in. Gnip also offers Eco Passes, Boulder B-Cycle memberships, and annual City of Boulder Recreation passes to their employees and is located in a LEED Gold certified building.
Gnip’s application is approved as part of the 2012 flexible rebate program; one application is still pending. The city’s approved 2012 budget includes $350,000 in funding for 2012 flexible tax and fee rebates for primary employers.
For more information about the city’s economic vitality program, go to www.bouldercolorado.gov, click on “Business,” or call Liz Hanson at 303-441-3287.
