Posts tagged city
High-end bike theft ring being investigated
Dec 10th
The Boulder Police Department is investigating a series of high-end bicycle thefts dating back to early 2013. Police are aware of numerous stolen road and mountain bikes. At this time, none of the bicycles has been recovered. Although the thefts occurred in Boulder, the victims are nationwide, as many were visiting Boulder during the spring and summer months.
Investigators believe the thefts are related based on the pattern (modus operandi) of the suspect. The majority of the bikes were attached to vehicles either by a roof mount, a hitch rack or a rack mounted in truck beds. The thief or thieves used bolt cutters and/or wire cutters to defeat cable and u-locks to remove the bicycles from vehicles which were parked on downtown streets and parking garages, and from neighborhoods like Goss Grove and Frasier Meadows.
During the course of the investigation, detectives have recovered dozens of bike accessories that include:
· Pumps
· Tools
· Saddle bags
· Cyclometer
· Other generic bike accessories
Photos of many of the recovered accessories are attached and detectives would like to communicate with anyone who may recognize the items and/or who has had a bicycle stolen in the manner and from locations mentioned above. Anyone who has been assigned a current case file number is asked to provide that information to police when calling.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Craig Beckjord at beckjordc@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3336. 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 at www.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.
— CITY–
Gas “outage” comes at a bad time
Dec 6th
Xcel Energy is working to address a gas outage that is impacting a significant number of homes in parts of the city and Boulder County. Boulder Fire-Rescue is offering tips to help keep people safe during the outage.
ü If your pilot light is out after gas service is restored and you don’t know how to re-light it, you may contact Xcel to come to your home to relight the pilot for you. Xcel is asking individuals who need assistance to call 1-800-295-4999 to provide a cell phone for crews to contact you; if you will be home when crews come by, please leave your porch light. Call a professional contractor if you don’t wish to wait for Xcel.
ü If your pipes freeze, avoid using blow torches or open flames to try to heat them. Just yesterday, Dec. 5, 2013, someone caused a fire in a mobile home while using a blow torch to heat frozen pipes. Although no one was injured, the mobile home suffered extensive damage from the fire.
ü If you have neighbors who are elderly or who are physically/mentally challenged, please check on them to make sure they’re okay. If they are in need of medical attention, call 9-1-1.
ü If you plan to use an electric space heater, consider the following precautions:
· Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture and bedding.
· Make sure to keep a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around space heaters and fires.
· Use space heaters only when you’re present in your home or business, and only while you’re awake. Never use space heaters while you sleep.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which can be produced when a furnace or other appliances are not working properly. It can also be produced when wood-burning fireplaces are not vented properly.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, and inhaling it can cause death. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include feeling out of breath, dizziness, nausea and headaches. If you or any of your family members experience these symptoms, leave the building immediately and call 9-1-1.
ü Make sure to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home or business. Check the batteries regularly to ensure that it’s working properly.
ü Don’t use a charcoal or wood grill indoors or in a garage.
ü Never operate kerosene or propane heaters indoors without proper venting.
ü Never use your oven to heat your home.
Emergency Contacts and Shelter Information
In case of emergency, contact 9-1-1. For other calls, the non-emergency dispatch number is 303-441-3333. To report outages, please contact Xcel directly at 1-800-895-2999.
The American Red Cross will be opening a warm shelter for people impacted by this emergency. The shelter will be available starting at 3 p.m. today and is located at Douglass Elementary School, 840 75th St. near 75th Street and Baseline Road.
–CITY–
Bad weather a-comin’ City gets ready
Dec 3rd
Like other Front Range communities, the city does not typically plow residential streets since most snow melts within a day or two and residential plowing would significantly increase costs, impacting other high-priority services. During most snowstorms, one “floater” snow plow responds to requests from the community and public safety personnel. When snowfall exceeds 12 inches, the city strategically services known problem areas on some residential streets. To request plowing on a specific residential street, make a “Snow Plow Request” online via www.inquireboulder.com or call Snow Dispatch at 303-413-7109.
Residential Street Plowing Pilot Program
In response to community feedback, the City of Boulder is also implementing a residential street plowing pilot program between Dec. 1, 2013, and March 1, 2014. Two snow plows will be sent to 10 pre-identified residential areas when both of the following criteria are met:
- eight inches or more of snow is predicted or actually accumulates (not including snowpack already on the road surface); and
- daytime temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing for the 72 hours after the snowstorm.
If both criteria are met and the pilot program is activated, the city will post a notification on the Snow and Ice Removal Web page. View the “Residential Street Plowing Pilot Program Map” atbouldercolorado.gov/links/fetch/18735 to see the specific neighborhood streets where snow plows may be deployed as part of the pilot program.
Safety Tips
To make winter travel safer:
- give snow plows and spreader trucks plenty of room to operate;
- allow for more stopping distance on icy or snowy roads;
- avoid making last-minute decisions;
- teach your children to be extra careful around traffic; and
- use extra caution as you walk and bike in icy conditions.
Do not pass snow plows or spreader trucks, which are both wider than one traffic lane. This will help you avoid potential accidents, windshield damage and limited visibility caused by flying snow and ice.
Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal
Property owners, landlords and tenants must remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Clearing sidewalks in a timely manner makes travel safer for all pedestrians. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks before the 24-hour deadline may result in fines and/or abatement, which involves paying for a private snow removal contractor to clear the sidewalks. If the city incurs costs related to abatement, these will be passed on to the property owner.
Visit bouldercolorado.gov/links/fetch/9834 to view official snowfall reports from the National Weather Service. To report sidewalk violations, make a service request for “Sidewalk Snow & Ice Removal” online viawww.inquireboulder.com or call Code Enforcement at 303-441-3333.
Seniors and disabled residents who are physically unable to remove snow from their sidewalks may receive volunteer assistance through the Boulder County CareConnect Ice Busters program. Visit www.careconnectbc.org or call 303-443-1933 ext. 413 to volunteer or ext. 416 to request assistance.
For more detailed information about the city’s snow and ice removal operations, visitwww.bouldercolorado.gov/public-works and select the “Snow and Ice Removal” link.
— CITY —