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FARMERS’ MARKET May 1, 2015 VOLU M E 1 4 | I S SUE 23
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Deputies’ body cameras give new view 10 on sheriff ’s office traffic team don video devices on daily basis By Christy Steadman
csteadman@colorado communitymedia.com
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is one of many agencies utilizing body-worn video cameras in policing. The sheriff’s office’s pilot program for the devices began in 2014, and by September, 10 deputies on the traffic team began to use the devices on a daily basis. Years ago, the sheriff’s office had a dash camera, a video camera that sits on the dash of a patrol car, for DUI enforcement, Bureau Chief Glenn Thompson said, but
that device hasn’t been used since at least the year 2000. Since then, the sheriff’s office hasn’t had any video-recording devices of any kind. There wasn’t really a need, and the VHS system required for the dash camera was costly and not very effective, Thompson said. “Since the body-worn camera technology has become available,” Thompson said, “I think it’s gotten a lot more agencies interested.” One of the benefits of having the bodyworn video cameras is that it provides officer safety, Thompson said. “If a suspect knows they’re being videotaped, it may give them second thoughts or pause before assaulting an officer, or taking some sort of violent action,” he said. Other benefits include having video Cameras continues on Page 9
The Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s Office started a pilot program for body-worn video cameras last year. By September, 10 deputies on the traffic team began using them on a daily basis. Photo by Christy Steadman
Parents, students weigh in on safety School district committee on security, mental health gathers input By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com
an evaluation analyst. He eventually became the CDE’s director of communitybased education. “I never quit social work, I just changed clients,” he said. “I get to work with people and help them be the best they can be. I was able to take that and help people focus on what’s important.” Continuing his climb up the ladder, he landed in Aurora Public Schools for three
Only 10 people, mostly parents with children in the district, took the opportunity to address the Littleton Public Schools Security and Mental Health Advisory Committee during its April 22 meeting, the only chance to do so publicly before it wraps up its work in June. Jim Stephens, committee member, reminded those in the audience that although the committee was formed as a result of the tragedy at Arapahoe High School in December 2013, its charge is broader than that. Specifically, it’s to look at: “What are the recommendations and best practices for the future based on current practices, protocols, procedures, training, staffing, and crisis management? What changes have been made or are planned as a result of lessons learned? In what areas are there opportunities for improvement?” “We’re happy to have public comment, so that we’re hearing the community voice direct and unfiltered,” said Stephens. Two Arapahoe students took the opportunity to tell the committee that they’re doing just fine. “What we want as students is … to not be constantly reminded, and to not live in this paranoid state of mind that we are not safe,” said Sanjay Patil. He said it’s important to them to be able to have a balance between old traditions, like leaving campus to hang out at lunch, and new precautions like the school resource officer added this year. Patil’s classmate Mike Carlson agreed that the students are thriving, but they wish there was less negativity in the media surrounding the tragedy that occurred in their midst. “It’s a great disservice to have that kind of cloud of darkness,” he said. DD Walsh, PTO president at AHS, noted that much of that negativity is coming from people who don’t have kids in the district. “We need to support those who are still there,” she said. “The kids want to go to school. They want to go to the ball game.
Murphy continues on Page 9
Safety continues on Page 9
Outgoing LPS Superintendent Scott Murphy reads with Field Elementary School students Andy Santos, center, and Tyler Bagnall. Courtesy photo
Leaving a lasting impression After a quarter of a century, Scott Murphy enters final weeks with the school district By Jennifer Smith
jsmith@colorado communitymedia.com Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series looking at the legacy of Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Scott Murphy. Retiring Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Scott Murphy began his career days with, literally, a bang. “At 12, my mom helped me start a fireworks stand,” remembers Murphy, now 62. “My first stand burned down, and I was in it. I had to be dragged out.” Fortunately, things improved after that for Murphy, who will retire in June. By 16, he had six employees and successful stands on each end of Lake Loveland. Raised by a single mom, a teacher, the venture paid for his bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado State University. But he wanted a graduate degree, so he continued to find creative ways to supple-
‘Everyone wants to move forward. Even if you like the way things are, you still want your flowers to grow. I want to bring everyone to the table.’ Scott Murphy, retiring Littleton Public Schools superintendent ment his income. At one point he went to work for a guy who repossessed items like TVs and furniture. “But here I am a social worker,” he said. “One day I went up, knocked on the door, and there was my client. I only lasted about three days.” While working toward his master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado, he worked with youths in Boulder County for a time, and later with the Colorado Department of Education as