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February 11, 2021
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
LittletonIndependent.net
VOLUME 76 | ISSUE 16
Dealers must now lock up firearms
Spurred by repeat burglaries, Littleton City Council passes ‘safe-storage’ law BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A model of a “Red Tail” P-51 Mustang signed by some of the Tuskegee Airmen sits on display Jan. 29 at Centennial Airport’s PHOTOS BY ELLIS ARNOLD administration building.
Airport provides grant to Tuskegee Airmen chapter Money to support a path to flight-industry careers for young people in need BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Colorado chapter of a nonprofit that works to keep alive the history of the Tuskegee Airmen received a check from a local airport, a move expected to help “enable young people to pursue their dreams,” the chapter’s president said. One of the major objectives of the
nonprofit is to “encourage young people and let them know you can be excellent as well,” said Mark Dickerson, president of the Colorado chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. The chapter honors the accomplishments and history of the Tuskegee Airmen, Black servicemen of the U.S. Army Air Corps — a precursor to the U.S. Air Force — who trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama during World War II. They constituted the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military. The chapter — named for Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones in order to SEE AIRMEN, P6
Robert Olislagers, director of Centennial Airport, left, speaks with Mark Dickerson, president of the Colorado chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., after handing Dickerson a check to aid the chapter’s educational programs for youths.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11
NOT ALONE
Couples share the challenges of dating and relationships during the pandemic P14
Frustrated after years of burglaries from local gun stores — and by security measures at one gun store that has been the target of repeat break-ins — Littleton City Council unanimously approved what appears to be Colorado’s first law requiring firearm dealers to lock up their guns after business hours. Effective Aug. 1, all gun retailers within city limits are required to obtain a city-issued license showing approval of a “safe storage plan,” which mandates all firearms must be stored in a locked safe, gun cabinet or secured safe room after business hours. The law, approved at the Feb. 2 city council meeting, also requires licensees to utilize a burglar alarm that sends reports directly to Littleton Police rather than a store owner or manager. The license must be renewed annually. The law comes after 10 gun store burglaries at five retailers in city limits in the last four years, according to city documents, which collectively resulted in the theft of 144 firearms. SEE FIREARMS, P13