"Because ZG likes a good party, he was at Aspen Highlands’ closing fête on Sunday.
Taking a short break from tippling and glancing up-slope, he was a bit startled to see three local cops on the hillside above the party, one with a video camera.
Were they taping to find scallywags? Letting their presence be known to prevent a riot? Or was it a major step in the direction of Big Brother-esque surveillance?
None of the above, said Blair Weyer, the always-pleasant public information officer for the Aspen Police Department.
She said Chief Richard Pryor “requested that an officer record video footage from the Highlands closing party to help determine the scale of the event for future consideration in the [city’s] special events permitting process.”
Police were not looking to record any specific criminal activity (like freeloaders trying to muscle in on the Daily News’ tab, for instance).
“This is a practice that we have also used during other special events — X Games and the Pro Cycling Challenge, for example — so we can better understand the type of crowd that attends these events and how we can best maintain a safe environment for them,” Weyer said.
ZG approves, because if there’s something you need when you’ve rearranged your mental chemistry with John Barleycorn and god knows what else, it’s safety....." (Read more? See what else ZG sees? Click title.)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label City of Aspen Police Dept. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Aspen Police Dept. Show all posts
April 21, 2012
February 14, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "Defense attorney likely to pounce on police mistake in drug bust case"
It's an unfortunate choice of wording in the headline.
How about: "Local man has charge dismissed because he didn't commit the crime they said he did" ? What does the defense attorney have to do with the charge being dismissed?
If the resulting charges elsewhere have merit, he will stand trial without the 'pounce' from a defender. Hopefully, he will have all of his constitutional rights to full defense upheld as is rightful given his status as an American citizen.
Thank you goes out to the Aspen Police Dept. for their honesty. You are appreciated and you are applauded for stepping up.
Maybe all the shouting out that locals have been doing for the past 5 to 6 years, that they have serious concerns that our cops are being turned more into agents for prosecutors than doing their sworn duty to serve and protect the citizenry is really being listened to.
Thank you also goes out to Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin and Chief Public Defender Tina Fang for swiftly going to the heart of the matter instead of dragging any issues out into the public arena at ultimately taxpayer expense. Maybe there will be some long-term positive changes that really will come out of the current election cycle here in 9th Judicial. You are both appreciated.
Chad Abraham:
"...Fang argued for Simmons’ bond to be reduced to $10,000. Simmons, in previous criminal cases he has faced, has never failed to appear for a court hearing, she said.
“He is a long-term resident of the valley and is the sole caretaker of his mother,” who has medical issues, Fang said. “He’s a very instrumental part of her life.”
She also said he is not a risk to flee the area ahead of a possible trial, as “he has no contacts anywhere else, [and] there’s simply nowhere else for him to go,” Fang said.
Mordkin objected to any reduction in bond. Simmons, facing mandatory prison time if he’s convicted, is an “enormous flight risk,” Mordkin said.
“The bail [amount] was appropriate when we set it, and we believe that it’s appropriate now,” he said.
Nichols, who is familiar with Simmons from a previous case, said she believes that he does care for his mother. She also noted that his work history shows he is responsible and will likely show up for court dates.
She kept his bond at $50,000 but set its terms as “cash surety” instead of cash only, making it easier for Simmons to get the help of a bondsman to get out of jail.
Simmons’ next court date is March 5.
Mordkin declined to discuss the police department’s mistake in the tampering case, saying it will come out in expected pretrial motion hearings.
At least one of those hearings will likely involve a motion by Fang to suppress evidence found as a result of the tampering warrant.
Mordkin also declined to say whether officers were apologetic when they told him Friday about the misidentification.
“They did the right thing,” he said. “I think they should be applauded....”
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
How about: "Local man has charge dismissed because he didn't commit the crime they said he did" ? What does the defense attorney have to do with the charge being dismissed?
If the resulting charges elsewhere have merit, he will stand trial without the 'pounce' from a defender. Hopefully, he will have all of his constitutional rights to full defense upheld as is rightful given his status as an American citizen.
Thank you goes out to the Aspen Police Dept. for their honesty. You are appreciated and you are applauded for stepping up.
Maybe all the shouting out that locals have been doing for the past 5 to 6 years, that they have serious concerns that our cops are being turned more into agents for prosecutors than doing their sworn duty to serve and protect the citizenry is really being listened to.
Thank you also goes out to Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin and Chief Public Defender Tina Fang for swiftly going to the heart of the matter instead of dragging any issues out into the public arena at ultimately taxpayer expense. Maybe there will be some long-term positive changes that really will come out of the current election cycle here in 9th Judicial. You are both appreciated.
Chad Abraham:
"...Fang argued for Simmons’ bond to be reduced to $10,000. Simmons, in previous criminal cases he has faced, has never failed to appear for a court hearing, she said.
“He is a long-term resident of the valley and is the sole caretaker of his mother,” who has medical issues, Fang said. “He’s a very instrumental part of her life.”
She also said he is not a risk to flee the area ahead of a possible trial, as “he has no contacts anywhere else, [and] there’s simply nowhere else for him to go,” Fang said.
Mordkin objected to any reduction in bond. Simmons, facing mandatory prison time if he’s convicted, is an “enormous flight risk,” Mordkin said.
“The bail [amount] was appropriate when we set it, and we believe that it’s appropriate now,” he said.
Nichols, who is familiar with Simmons from a previous case, said she believes that he does care for his mother. She also noted that his work history shows he is responsible and will likely show up for court dates.
She kept his bond at $50,000 but set its terms as “cash surety” instead of cash only, making it easier for Simmons to get the help of a bondsman to get out of jail.
Simmons’ next court date is March 5.
Mordkin declined to discuss the police department’s mistake in the tampering case, saying it will come out in expected pretrial motion hearings.
At least one of those hearings will likely involve a motion by Fang to suppress evidence found as a result of the tampering warrant.
Mordkin also declined to say whether officers were apologetic when they told him Friday about the misidentification.
“They did the right thing,” he said. “I think they should be applauded....”
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 6, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News "More fines for riding bikes on malls, sidewalks"
Hmmm....let's see.
The City of Aspen goes crazy wild in favor of supporting a bike-share company and backs that support up with a whole lot of seed money.
The bike-share startup comes back with a plan that shows each bike costing $6,000 EACH.
And now, the same city ratchets up the rules, laws and fines for breaking either by seriously stepping up enforcement within the City of Aspen. With 60% of the folks supporting that.
Hmmmm....exactly how does this add up to a good deal for the folks?
Chad Abraham:
"...Open space ranger Brian Long of the city’s parks and recreation department said in the summertime, he and police officers are on “the receiving end of a lot of citizen comments and complaints.” The input concerns cyclists biking in spots where they’re supposed to be walking their bikes.
Long estimated that he received 300 or so comments last summer about wayward bikers (the pedestrian malls fall under the responsibility of the parks department). Pedestrians, some of whom are walking their bikes, often complain about narrow misses with rule-breakers, Long said Friday.
Blair Weyer, police department spokeswoman, said that roughly 60 percent of the 600 respondents to the survey indicated they want moderate to strict enforcement of the current code prohibiting bikes on sidewalks and the malls...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
The City of Aspen goes crazy wild in favor of supporting a bike-share company and backs that support up with a whole lot of seed money.
The bike-share startup comes back with a plan that shows each bike costing $6,000 EACH.
And now, the same city ratchets up the rules, laws and fines for breaking either by seriously stepping up enforcement within the City of Aspen. With 60% of the folks supporting that.
Hmmmm....exactly how does this add up to a good deal for the folks?
Chad Abraham:
"...Open space ranger Brian Long of the city’s parks and recreation department said in the summertime, he and police officers are on “the receiving end of a lot of citizen comments and complaints.” The input concerns cyclists biking in spots where they’re supposed to be walking their bikes.
Long estimated that he received 300 or so comments last summer about wayward bikers (the pedestrian malls fall under the responsibility of the parks department). Pedestrians, some of whom are walking their bikes, often complain about narrow misses with rule-breakers, Long said Friday.
Blair Weyer, police department spokeswoman, said that roughly 60 percent of the 600 respondents to the survey indicated they want moderate to strict enforcement of the current code prohibiting bikes on sidewalks and the malls...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
January 24, 2012
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "A sheriff’s gratitude"
"Editor:
Some people say the best way to test a service or product is to use it.
Unfortunately, last Thursday night Marcy and I had the opportunity to test the service of public safety in Pitkin County. A defective furnace filled the upstairs of the house with smoke. Marcy called 911 and within minutes the Aspen Police Department, the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department and Aspen Ambulance responded to our home.
For over 30 years I have seen these people at work. However, it’s different when your life, home and property is at risk.
I’ve always known how competent and professional all of our public safety agencies are. This time I got to test the product as a customer.
I am more confident than ever this community has very dedicated, prepared professionals serving us. We want to say thank you to all of our public safety professionals.
(Marcy DiSalvo and sheriff Joe DiSalvo, Aspen)
Some people say the best way to test a service or product is to use it.
Unfortunately, last Thursday night Marcy and I had the opportunity to test the service of public safety in Pitkin County. A defective furnace filled the upstairs of the house with smoke. Marcy called 911 and within minutes the Aspen Police Department, the Aspen Volunteer Fire Department and Aspen Ambulance responded to our home.
For over 30 years I have seen these people at work. However, it’s different when your life, home and property is at risk.
I’ve always known how competent and professional all of our public safety agencies are. This time I got to test the product as a customer.
I am more confident than ever this community has very dedicated, prepared professionals serving us. We want to say thank you to all of our public safety professionals.
(Marcy DiSalvo and sheriff Joe DiSalvo, Aspen)
SandBox Comments: Aspen Daily News/Letter to the Editor "Policing at its best"
"One of the wonderful things about Aspen is the extraordinary helpfulness of the local police. I found myself on a Sunday night with a door I could not open for a house guest who was in need of their asthma medication.
Locksmiths were closed and not knowing where else to turn, I went to the local police, and they were fabulous in helping solve my problem.
Thank you. We are lucky to have a police department that protects us and helps us.
Appreciatively,
Julia Hansen and Michael Silverstone, Aspen"
Locksmiths were closed and not knowing where else to turn, I went to the local police, and they were fabulous in helping solve my problem.
Thank you. We are lucky to have a police department that protects us and helps us.
Appreciatively,
Julia Hansen and Michael Silverstone, Aspen"
December 28, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times "Aspen man accused of selling Ecstasy"
Update December 30, 2011
As with the current saga of homeless man Jimmy Baldwin being shuffled between North Dakota and Aspen continues; let's deal with the news reporting of Max Puder in the same way. Just update the original post.
There are (3) relevant stories in today's local news. Two different styled reports off the Times and the Daily. And a story off the Times regarding PitCo taking another look at whether or not to even allow medical marijuana operations to increase in the city and county (or) to ban them altogether in light of all the problems that industry faces. Including federal laws.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/150995
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229833/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229830/1077&ParentProfile=1058
_________________________
Original Post:
Why does an 18 year old kid have a medical marijuana card?
"...Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin said he will file charges at Puder's next court appearance, set for Jan. 9.
Puder's parents attended Wednesday's advisement hearing, which Nichols conducted via speaker phone from her office in Glenwood Springs. His father said the family is focused on putting Puder in a rehabilitation facility so he can get on the right track.
Should Puder post bond, he will not be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal substances. That includes marijuana, even though Puder is a registered marijuana patient.
“No pot. No marijuana,” the judge said.
The family has hired Yale Galanter, a defense attorney who practices in Aspen and outside of the state.
(Rick Carroll)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
As with the current saga of homeless man Jimmy Baldwin being shuffled between North Dakota and Aspen continues; let's deal with the news reporting of Max Puder in the same way. Just update the original post.
There are (3) relevant stories in today's local news. Two different styled reports off the Times and the Daily. And a story off the Times regarding PitCo taking another look at whether or not to even allow medical marijuana operations to increase in the city and county (or) to ban them altogether in light of all the problems that industry faces. Including federal laws.
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/150995
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229833/1077&ParentProfile=1058
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20111230/NEWS/111229830/1077&ParentProfile=1058
_________________________
Original Post:
Why does an 18 year old kid have a medical marijuana card?
"...Chief Deputy District Attorney Arnold Mordkin said he will file charges at Puder's next court appearance, set for Jan. 9.
Puder's parents attended Wednesday's advisement hearing, which Nichols conducted via speaker phone from her office in Glenwood Springs. His father said the family is focused on putting Puder in a rehabilitation facility so he can get on the right track.
Should Puder post bond, he will not be allowed to consume alcohol or take illegal substances. That includes marijuana, even though Puder is a registered marijuana patient.
“No pot. No marijuana,” the judge said.
The family has hired Yale Galanter, a defense attorney who practices in Aspen and outside of the state.
(Rick Carroll)
(Learn more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
December 17, 2011
SandBox Comments: Aspen Times/Letter to the Editor "Taking blame for signs on museum site"
Never, in the past or future history of Aspen, Colorado will there ever be a building built that is or will be uglier than the upcoming Aspen Art Museum.
The most god-awful looking design in history of The Valley. Possibly even the world. Good lord, it is an atrocity.
Seriously. Ask just about any local.
And which Valley community is currently cornering the market on social, business and professional homicide through the use of gossip?
The histrionics of the Aspen Art Museum director come very close to a wide range of others in socially prominent positions in our local communities who ratchet up similar public displays.
What sets 'us' apart from the norm around the nation in the gossip arenas?
Most communities have banned the town square/public stocks/stoning thing.
So, so not cool.
Since she personally knows how upset and shook-up Lee Mulcahy was at the possible allegation being twisted by out-of-control local power brokers; over this stupid, ridiculous grandstanding and completely unfounded debacle that the Aspen Art Museum director pulled over these harmless (and dead-on accurate in content) signs....'SandBox Nanny' sends out a special thank you to the City of Aspen cop who immediately saw reason and decided to simply ask Lee what his involvement was rather than 'throw him in the public stocks, then the slam and hold court right there in order to sentence him to death'.
Whew!
Mr. Cohen, we couldn't agree with you more.
"Dear Editor:
Since the Aspen Art Museum director has seen fit to open an attack against Lee Mulcahy, I will take this opportunity to confess to being the person who hung the two “For Sale” signs on the tractor trailers that were parked on the vacant lot (construction site) where the Wienerstube used to stand.
The signs were two 81⁄2- by 11-inch sheets of copy paper Scotch-taped with two strips of tape on each computer-printed sheet. I thought that this would be an amusing way to call attention to this extremely disliked project that has been forced upon our cityscape.
I do not know Mr. Mulcahy, and I do not know what he did to incur the wrath of the Art Museum director, but please do not condemn him for my actions.
Having cleared the record regarding whatever minor incidents occurred, I am offended by Madam Director's branding these actions as “cowardly.” She, who engineered the slimy, underhanded, backroom blackmailing (or worse?) of City Council, in order to hide her project from the scrutiny of the public approval process, is the true coward...."
(Richie Cohen, Aspen)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
The most god-awful looking design in history of The Valley. Possibly even the world. Good lord, it is an atrocity.
Seriously. Ask just about any local.
And which Valley community is currently cornering the market on social, business and professional homicide through the use of gossip?
The histrionics of the Aspen Art Museum director come very close to a wide range of others in socially prominent positions in our local communities who ratchet up similar public displays.
What sets 'us' apart from the norm around the nation in the gossip arenas?
Most communities have banned the town square/public stocks/stoning thing.
So, so not cool.
Since she personally knows how upset and shook-up Lee Mulcahy was at the possible allegation being twisted by out-of-control local power brokers; over this stupid, ridiculous grandstanding and completely unfounded debacle that the Aspen Art Museum director pulled over these harmless (and dead-on accurate in content) signs....'SandBox Nanny' sends out a special thank you to the City of Aspen cop who immediately saw reason and decided to simply ask Lee what his involvement was rather than 'throw him in the public stocks, then the slam and hold court right there in order to sentence him to death'.
Whew!
Mr. Cohen, we couldn't agree with you more.
"Dear Editor:
Since the Aspen Art Museum director has seen fit to open an attack against Lee Mulcahy, I will take this opportunity to confess to being the person who hung the two “For Sale” signs on the tractor trailers that were parked on the vacant lot (construction site) where the Wienerstube used to stand.
The signs were two 81⁄2- by 11-inch sheets of copy paper Scotch-taped with two strips of tape on each computer-printed sheet. I thought that this would be an amusing way to call attention to this extremely disliked project that has been forced upon our cityscape.
I do not know Mr. Mulcahy, and I do not know what he did to incur the wrath of the Art Museum director, but please do not condemn him for my actions.
Having cleared the record regarding whatever minor incidents occurred, I am offended by Madam Director's branding these actions as “cowardly.” She, who engineered the slimy, underhanded, backroom blackmailing (or worse?) of City Council, in order to hide her project from the scrutiny of the public approval process, is the true coward...."
(Richie Cohen, Aspen)
(Read more? Click title. Comment to discuss)
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