Posts tagged coverage
Boulder Police chief Mark Beckner asks media vampires to “would you Please!”
Aug 24th
One recommendation we have to Chief Beckner is for the Boulder PD to put up Media information on their website. The following is Mark Beckners’ letter to the media:
Dear members of the media:
As you know, we are a mid-size agency in a college town with lots of activity that tends to draw media attention. Unfortunately, we only have one PIO. While we take our media relationships, opportunities and responsibilities seriously, it is not reasonable to ask or expect one person to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have established some guidelines in the past with previous PIO’s and identified procedures the media should follow in getting updates or information after hours. Over time, and as turnover has occurred, these procedures have not been utilized. Although not new, I’d like to remind everyone of what these procedures are.
- · Our PIO is generally available (303-441-3370) and happy to help you with all your inquiries during normal working hours (M-F, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with the exception of holidays and vacation). If you would like an update on a major case, we request that you call toward the end of the normal work day (M-F, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm) to obtain the latest information, rather than waiting until the evening hours to call. If not immediately available during business hours, our PIO will get back to you as soon as possible.
- · If you have routine questions or want some information on something that has happened or is happening after hours, the proper procedure is to call our dispatch center at 303-441-3333. Dispatch will field your request and forward it to an on-duty supervisor who will get back to you as soon as he/she can. Calling our PIO after hours is not helpful, as she is unlikely to have immediate access to the information.
- · We recommend that weekend reporters look ahead for stories they may wish to cover on the weekends and conduct any necessary interviews in advance. Unless something new develops or assistance is requested by an incident commander, our PIO will not be available for standup interviews to help media organizations catch up on stories that occurred during the work week.
- · Should we have a major event or major crime develop after hours that we know will attract a lot of immediate media attention, or there is a public safety need to get the information out quickly, the incident commander will contact our PIO to assist with providing you with information in a timely manner. This may occur in the form of a press release and phone interviews or the PIO responding to the scene. If the PIO is not available, someone will be assigned to act as a PIO for the particular incident, usually a Sergeant or Commander
- · If you need a copy of a closed or cleared report, you may contact our Records and Information Services unit (RIS) at 303-441-3300. This number may be called at any time of day as RIS is typically available 24 hours a day (except some holidays). RIS is the only unit that can release reports. Calling the PIO for a copy of a report can actually take more time, as she has to relay the request to RIS for processing. The RIS staff will be able to tell you if the report is available to the public. Reports on open investigations are generally not available to the public. Our PIO can answer questions about individual cases or provide general information, but is not expected to read case reports to reporters over the phone.
Please know that it is unlikely that an after-hours on-duty supervisor will be able to give you updates on cases being investigated by detectives or those that occurred on a previous shift. For these situations, it is best to check in with the PIO during regular hours. If something new should happen in one of these types of cases after hours and immediate release of this information is necessary, the detective commander will contact the PIO and ask her to alert you
We are committed to be as informative as possible and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with you on communicating important public safety information. These procedures are intended to help meet your needs while recognizing the staffing limitations of our department.
Please let me know if you have any questions about these procedures. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Mark R. Beckner
Chief of Police
Boulder, Colorado
Flood season begins in Boulder Here’s how to be prepared
Apr 8th
Boulder is the number one flash flood risk community in Colorado due to its location at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, the number of people who live and work within the Boulder Creek floodplain, and the numerous other drainage basins running through the city. Therefore, flood safety and preparation is always a high priority for the community. However, following the Fourmile Canyon Fire, there is a lack of vegetation and permeable soil in the burn area. This creates an increased possibility of rain run-off and flooding on both Boulder Creek and Fourmile Canyon Creek if a severe storm were to occur over the burn area. This increased flood potential could last anywhere from 2 to 10 years until the landscape starts to recover.
The City of Boulder and its partners are working together to prepare for the season and to educate community members on how to prepare.
What can you do?
Be alert. It can be raining in the mountains and dry in Boulder. Rainfall in the burn area could result in:
Muddy or murky creek water downstream.
Creek levels rising more quickly.
Higher frequency of flooded underpasses.
Increased possibility of flash flooding.
If it is raining, avoid seeking shelter in underpasses. Many of Boulder’s underpasses serve the double purpose of conveying flood waters. This means that they are meant to flood and to help contain flood waters from overflowing into other areas.
Remember, flash floods can literally occur IN A FLASH during a severe storm. It’s important that residents and people who work in Boulder keep track of the weather and know the dangers. Here are some steps residents and employees can take to increase their safety if a flood event should occur in Boulder:
Before a flood – Be ready:
Have a plan for where to meet in an emergency and make sure children know where to go when they are at school or away from home.
Keep an emergency kit accessible. Include a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights, rubber boots and gloves, first-aid supplies, medicines, water stored in tightly-sealed containers and food that requires no cooking or refrigeration.
If you’re concerned about your property being flooded, consider purchasing flood insurance. A homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before new coverage goes into effect.
Fill out a Family Flood Action Plan and post it in your home. Visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net to print off a Family Flood Action Plan or pick one up at one of the Boulder Public Library branches or at the city’s Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway.
Sign up to get emergency alerts sent to you on your phone, email or Twitter account at www.BoCo911Alert.com.
During a flood:
Move to higher ground immediately.
Stay out of flowing waters. Swift moving waters may sweep people away.
Avoid driving through flooded areas. Cars float in 18 inches of water and half of all flood fatalities are auto related.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is the number two killer in floods.
If time allows, turn off electricity and gas.
When an emergency warning is issued by sirens, radio or other media, seek response information immediately. Tune radios to 850 AM or televisions to local news stations.
After a flood:
Stay away from disaster areas until authorized. Clean everything that got wet to avoid bacteria and mold.
Continue to monitor local media for disaster and recovery information.
There is no way to predict whether flooding will occur. It is dependent on many variables including intensity, duration and location of storms as well as existing soil conditions. The best course of action is to be alert and be prepared.
The city maintains a flood information website that can help residents prepare before, during and after a flood event. For more information about personal preparedness, visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net. To sign up for emergency alerts on your phone, email or Twitter account, go to www.BoCo911Alert.com.
Colorado Gov Hickenlooper speaks to Boulder Chamber on Boulder Channel One TV
Mar 25th
Chamber Travel Program Informational Meeting
Thurs., Mar. 31 | 5:30-6:30pm| Chamber Center, 2440 Pearl St. |
Ribbon Cutting for iSupportU (new location)
Fri., Apr. 1 | 4-5pm| 1825 Pearl St. |
New Member Orientation
Thurs., Apr. 7 | 8-9am| Chamber Center, 2440 Pearl St.
Featured Event: Education Matters 2011 with Senator Mike Johnston
Join Colorado Senator Mike Johnston to learn why education reform is critical for your business.
Senator Johnston is one of Time Magazine’s ’40 under 40′ & Forbes’ ‘Most Powerful Educators’!
Tues., Mar. 29 | 7:30-9am| UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom, CU-Boulder | Register
We offer an exclusive health insurance program for Chamber members through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Anthem rolled out a new spring 2011 plan design that includes five options, vision coverage at no additional cost, and access to alternative care benefits.