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City to remove emergency call boxes from the Hill due to lack of legitimate use
Feb 4th
City of Boulder crews will be removing five emergency call boxes from University Hill within the next two weeks after determining that they have not been used to summon police to a legitimate crime in at least two years.
The call boxes, also known as “blue phones,” have instead become a source of frequent pranks. In 2009 and 2010, police received 351 calls from the blue phones – all of which turned out to be false. In each case, police responded, diverting them from other responsibilities and actual calls for help.
The city has been providing the blue phone service since 2002, and at that time, the equipment served an important safety purpose. Today, however, with the prevalence of cell phones, the police department believes they are no longer needed. Emergency calls for service from that area universally come from cell phones and landlines. In addition, the phones are starting to break and would require costly repair or replacement.
“We remain committed to providing prompt and effective public safety service to University Hill and all other areas of the city. That is our number one priority,” said Police Chief Mark Beckner. “While these phones helped the community feel safer when cell phones were not as prevalent, their value and purpose has diminished with the changing times.”
The phones that will be removed are located at:
1202 Pleasant St.
12th Street/Pennsylvania Avenue
13th Street/Euclid Avenue
12th Street/College Avenue
1000 block of 14th Street
The city has met with both university officials and representatives of CU Student Government, and all are in agreement that the phones on the Hill have outlasted their intended purpose. Any money saved from keeping this equipment operational will be put back into the Hill maintenance fund.
Bear Country U.S.A.
Feb 3rd
Click to Play Video
Boulder Channel 1 takes you through the grizzly expierence at: Bear Country U.S.A.
Open Space and Mountain Parks releases its West Trails Study Area Draft Plan
Feb 2nd
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has released its draft West Trails Study Area (West TSA) plan for public review. The West TSA includes OSMP lands north of Eldorado Springs Drive, south of Linden Avenue and west of Broadway.
The draft plan includes recommendations developed by staff and those contributed by the Community Collaborative Group (CCG). The recommendations contributed by the CCG were accepted by the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) meeting held Jan. 19 for inclusion in the draft plan. The CCG’s recommendations are identified as such in the draft plan.
The staff recommendations contained in this draft plan include proposals about access for mountain biking and other recreational activities, trailhead improvements, trail re-routes, closures and designation of some undesignated trails. The department has used information contained in the comments received from individuals, and community groups throughout the 14-month CCG process.
“The community has given us valuable input at every step of the way,” said Steve Armstead, planner for OSMP. “The West TSA is important to many residents and visitors to Boulder, and they have shared their passionate concerns and suggestions with staff.”
The purpose of the plan is to provide management direction and describe the actions that will protect natural and cultural resources, improve the visitor experience, and provide a sustainable trail system.
The public is invited to provide feedback on the draft plan from Feb. 1 through Feb. 9. In particular, community members are invited to learn more about the staff recommendations for the plan at an open house scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, in Boulder.
Immediately after the open house, the Open Space Board of Trustees will convene a meeting to review and discuss the draft plan starting at 6 p.m. The public will be welcome to comment on staff’s recommendations at that time.
The draft plan will be revised and then considered by the OSBT later in February and City Council in mid-March. The public is invited to offer input at both of these hearings.
The Draft West TSA Plan, background documents and information about how to get involved are available at the West TSA website, www.westtsa.org . For other information, call 303-441-3440.
