May 7, 2015 VOLU M E 1 4 | I S SUE 1 6
LoneTreeVoice.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Drone use on way up Law enforcement, first responders find numerous uses for new technology By Mike DiFerdinando and Christy Steadman Staff writers
Parker resident Orietta Harris, with her daughter Erin on the right, snuggles up to her cat Rolo after a health check at the Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. Rolo was lost for four days and found on I-25 during morning rush hour. Photos by Jane Reuter
Cat back home after I-25 rescue Lone Tree police officer Andrew Brown gets a hug from Parker resident Orietta Harris in the lobby of Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. Brown found Harris’ lost cat on I-25.
Parker feline traveled eight miles before police officer found him By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com
R
olo the cat was huddled next to a concrete barrier on an Interstate 25 median during morning rush hour when Lone Tree police officer Andrew Brown and a good Samaritan found him. He was almost eight miles and four days from his home in Parker, his chin scraped, coat dirty, pads raw and claws worn down so significantly his rescuers first thought he was declawed. “He was in a little ball against the concrete wall, with only about two feet between him and thousands of cars going by,” Brown said. “I was scared he was going to run away (from me) and get hit by a car.” But Rolo allowed the officer to pick him up, put him in his patrol car and take him to the Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. Lost cat continues on Page 9
Mini golf to stay at Lone Tree site ... for now
As crews work to clean up the damage from an April house fire that claimed a man’s life, Rick Young pilots a remote-controlled drone that surveys the site. Young, a firefighter with the Castle Rock Fire Department Investigation Unit, looks for burn patterns and smoke stains — anything that may provide a clue to the cause of the blaze. “It allows us to get a 360-degree view of the site,” said Lt. Patrick Richardson of the Castle Rock Fire Department. “It takes pictures and HD video and really allows us to see the whole structure.” This drone is new — only its second time in use. It belongs to South Metro Fire Rescue, but is available to partnering agencies for investigative purposes. Use of drones for public services is an expanding trend throughout the country, state and Front Range. Law enforcement and first responders are excited about its potential to help investigations — from photographing accident scenes to search-and-rescue operations. “It’s the smart way to do law enforcement,” said Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, whose department recently received its first drone. However, some citizens and legislators worry about how the new technology will intersect with privacy concerns. Drones continues on Page 11
What the sheriff’s drone can and can’t do
Entertainment District renovation plans are moving, but slowly By Jane Reuter
jreuter@coloradocommunitymedia.com Mini-golf enthusiasts can look forward to another season of play in Lone Tree. The planned sale of the Go Putt! Miniature Golf Course on Park Meadows Drive fell through, and owner Dave Smith has spruced up the course for a new season. A developer had proposed buying Smith’s land to build a five-story luxury apartment complex. Smith, who has owned the business since 2001, repainted the office building and installed a new surface on the course. Beyond this season, he’s not sure what the future holds for Go Putt! “The reality of the situation is everything is for sale at the right price,” he said. “We’re here until we’re not.” Smith remains supportive of the city’s plans to redesign the Entertainment District, an area including multiple businesses on both sides of Park Meadows Drive south of Yosemite Street. “We’re still totally behind making the entire Entertainment District a better environment,” he said. “Everybody’s moving forward (but) these things have so many moving parts, they don’t get done quickly.” Deputy City Manager Steve Hebert con-
The planned sale of the Go Putt! Miniature Golf course in Lone Tree’s Entertainment District has fallen through. File photo firmed the process is still on track, but echoed Smith’s comment. “The pieces are coming together rather slowly,” he said. “We have no big news yet, but I’m optimistic we’ll have some in the next few weeks.” Plans are moving forward on converting the current three-way intersection at Kimmer and Park Meadows drives to a signalized four-way, providing another access into the district. “We are in conversations about either acquiring an easement and/or property for some of those improvements,” Hebert said. “Those conversations are going well.” South Suburban Parks and Recreation
District is working on designs to convert a drainage area near the intersection of Kimmer and Park Meadows drives into a small park. Owners of the building that houses United Artists also are negotiating toward a remodel and upgrade of the theater complex. Lone Tree’s Vision Book, a document released in August 2013, outlines its hopes for the area originally developed in the 1980s on both sides of Park Meadows Drive east of Yosemite Street. The future Lone Tree Plaza ideally would serve as the heart of the city, and could include a promenade to encourage walking, extensive landscaping, water features, a kids’ play area and farmers market.
The following are the capabilities of the DJI Phantom2 drone, acquired by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: 25 minutes: Flight time ability for the new DCSO drone 800 meters: Flight range of new DCSO Drone Can’t fly at night No audio recording capability
Can’t fly in rain or inclement weather Automatic stabilization HD video recording and camera No infrared technology