Crime
We moved Boulder Crime News and police blotter out of News and made it a primary category. Even though crime news is the highest in analytic s some readers complain because it ruins non violent news. Our readers and viewers prefer science, tech environmental and entertainment news. So crime news junkies now have your own bad news section here.
Boulder’s talking trash (pickup) again
Jul 28th
Special trash service dates announced
According to Boulder Revised Code (BRC) 1981 Section 6-3-9, property owners and managers of rental properties in the University Hill and Goss/Grove neighborhoods are required to contract with trash haulers for pick-up service for the following dates in 2012:
- Fall: Saturday, July 28 through Monday, August 27
The University Hill neighborhood boundaries are from Arapahoe Avenue to Baseline Road and from Broadway Street to Ninth Street, and the Goss/Grove neighborhood boundaries are from Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue and from Folsom Street to 15th Street.
The Special Trash Service code requires that rental properties in these neighborhoods sign up for the program through their contracted trash haulers. The Boulder Police Department’s Code Enforcement Unit will issue a summons to property owners and managers of rental properties in these two neighborhoods if they are not signed up for the program, regardless of the extent of trash violations on their property. The fine for a violation of this section of the code is $250 for a first offense.
The Special Trash Service code requirement was implemented in 2003 as a result of a community group recommendation. During tenant move-in and move-out periods, which occur at the beginning and end of the University of Colorado’s academic year, the Goss/Grove and University Hill neighborhoods experience significant trash impacts. This program was initially developed as a pilot program in 2002. Its success resulted in the development of the specific code requirement.
Sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy at the Boulder Police Department*
Jul 28th
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be a police officer, or been interested in knowing more about the day-to-day operations at the Boulder Police Department, now is the time to sign up for the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy course.
Nearly 800 citizens have participated over the years (this is the Department’s 29th Citizen’s Police Academy), and the new session starts on Sept. 5, 2012. It’s free and open to anyone over the age of 18. The course is held over a period of 12 weeks. Students and instructors meet once a week, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Here are a few of this session’s highlights:
- Detectives will discuss cases which have been solved, and talk about some of the ways investigations are handled;
- SWAT Team members will explain what the team does, when it’s called out, and show you some of their specialized equipment;
- Our Crime Analysts will talk about how they collect evidence at crime scenes, how various evidence is tested and how the information is used during investigations;
- The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office will give you a tour of the Boulder County Jail;
- You’ll have the opportunity to ride-along with an officer and gain some perspective about their work in the community;
- The Bomb Squad members will discuss their training and show you the equipment they use to protect them from harm;
- Learn how Dispatch Operators field 911 calls;
- Find out how records are kept, and what kind of law enforcement information is available to the public;
- And, officers who patrol Boulder will tell you about their districts and beats, and share their insights about officer safety issues.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is offered at no cost to allow community members to learn more about police operations and philosophy. Applicants should live or work in Boulder County, and be able to pass a criminal background check. To register, contact Karen MacPherson at 303-441-4325, or macphersonk@bouldercolorado.gov. Registration is open through August 27, 2012.
A graduation ceremony will be held on Dec. 5, 2012. Graduates will be able to join the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, which schedules monthly programs and speakers who focus on law enforcement-related topics.
Boulder police: 53 cars stolen in last six months
Jul 9th
Vehicle thefts are on the rise in Boulder, and police want to warn the public and share some tips to make sure that others don’t become victims of auto theft.
Between Jan. 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012, people reported 53 stolen vehicles in Boulder. So far this year, 43 of those autos have been recovered (81% recovery rate). During the same time period last year (Jan. 1 – July 1, 2011), there were 46 vehicles reported stolen, with 35 of them recovered (76% recovery rate).
While the recovery rates might seem like good news, many of the recovered vehicles were severely damaged by the thieves and some of the vehicles were not drivable. In several instances, drug paraphernalia was found inside the recovered cars. Some of the autos were found in Boulder, and others were located in nearby cities.
Most of these vehicle thefts have several things in common:
- The victim’s left their cars unlocked or the windows down.
- They left spare keys inside the unlocked car.
- There were valuables, such as purses, credit cards and electronics, in full view.
Thieves are usually looking for an easy steal. They want to work fast to start the car and then leave the area. Many of these thefts would not have occurred if the victims had simply locked their vehicles. Police offer some advice to keep your car secure:
- Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway.
- Never leave a spare key in your car (that includes the valet key in your glove box).
- Don’t leave valuables (purses, wallets, cash, credit cards, and electronics) in view. It’s best to take them with you and not leave them in the car at all.
- Don’t leave your car running unattended, even to make a quick trip into a convenience store. This is exactly how at least one thief made off with a car this year in Boulder.
- Don’t leave your windows open – even cracked – when you park your vehicle.
- Park in well-lit areas. If you have a garage, use it. (And don’t leave the garage door open. Thieves may not get your car, but they’ll take whatever else they can easily steal).
- Consider an alarm, or a theft-deterrent/recovery system device like LoJack.
To date in 2012, Boulder police have made 13 arrests for auto theft. (One of the suspects is a teenager who is not old enough to obtain a driver’s license). From Jan. 1, 2011 to July 1, 2011, seven people were arrested. Police are continuing to investigate open cases.
If you are the victim of a vehicle theft, call police immediately. You may call 9-1-1, or the non-emergency Dispatch number at 303-441-3333. Police will need the make, model, year and color of your car, as well as the license plate number. They’ll also need to know when you believe car was stolen, and whether it was locked or unlocked at the time. Investigators will also ask whether you keep a spare key inside the vehicle.