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December 3, 2014 VOLU M E 49 | I S S UE 46 | 7 5 ¢
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The Monument Police Department recently hired a new police officer named Jonathan Wilson. He becomes the 13th full-time officer with the department. Photo by Danny Summers
Monument Police Department adding more officers Two more full-time officers should be hired by end of January By Danny Summers
dsummers@coloradocommunitymedia.com
POSTAL ADDRESS
The Monument Police Department now has 12 full-time officers with the addition of Jonathan Wilson to the staff. “We’re actually authorized for 14 full time police officers,” said Lt. Steve Burk, the public information officer for the Monument Police Department. “We’re working on hiring one more officer (this month) and more additional officer in January. At the Oct. 6 Monument Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees approved Monument Police Chief Jacob Shirk’s request to add one officer position to the force. The new position is a traffic safety position for investigating accidents, dealing with school and construction traffic, addressing roadway hazards, handling complaints, conducting surveys and educating the public.
The hiring of two more officers was also authorized by the Monument Trustees and mayor Rafael Dominguez. With 14, the department will be operating at full capacity for the first time in years. “We’ve spent a lot of the last couple of years at 11 or 12 officers,” Burk said. “For an agency our size that is very difficult. That’s like operating 10 or 20 percent below where we should be. Burk is elated that the force is growing because that will allow for more versatility and more areas to be canvassed. “The town of Monument itself is only about five to five-and-a-half square miles, but we don’t just stop at the town as long as you’re within our response to the area, which includes all of Palmer Lake, all of Gleneagle, all of North Gate, all of Woodmoor,” he said. “We don’t consider boundaries when it comes to helping other agencies. “I know it sounds corny, but we don’t look at boundaries when it comes to helping people, helping citizens. We will go wherever we’re asked. We’ll even go to Colorado Springs if we’re asked.” Burk added that when his department is fully
staffed, anywhere from one to five officers are working “depending on the time of day or event.” According to Burk, both of the town’s high schools - Palmer Ridge and Lewis-Palmer - are located in unincorporated El Paso County, which technically is under the control of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department. “If you walk out of Lewis-Palmer High School and you walk south out of the parking lot and walk across Higby you are in Monument. Our guys will stop by the high school when needed, but it’s not in the town of Monument. “I’ve been working here for 20 years and we’ve never looked at boundaries as a stop point. We don’t have to provide a service to those high schools; it’s just who we are.” Burk added that as the town grows — around 200 new homes are being built near Monument Lake and more businesses are opening up in the Jackson Creek area - it only makes sense that more police officers and fire fighters will be required to effectively keep the town safer.
Bear Creek Elementary student gets ride to school in fire truck TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE (USPS 418-960)
OFFICE: 325 Second Street, Suite R Monument, CO 80132 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, the Tri-Lakes Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONUMENT, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
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Thekan rode in Engine 3 from Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District By Danny Summers
dsummers@coloradocommunitymedia.com Bear Creek Elementary School kindergarten student Alex Thekan had the ride of his young life Nov. 17 when he was driven to school in powerful Engine 3 from the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District Woodmoor Station. Thekan won the fire truck ride prize for being the top overall fundraiser from the entire school during the jog-a-thon fundraiser held by the school in September. Thekan raised $915 by collecting donation and pledges for each lap he finished during the jog-a-thon. Bear Creek students walked 2,684 miles and raised $18,163 from the event. The money is being used to help fund programs and items that fall outside the school budget. Thekan’s ride was graciously donated by the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department as a prize for the jog-a-thon fundraiser. As part of his prize, Thekan was allowed to invite two of his classmates, so he chose Jayce Duffy and Jenessa Duffy. The three students were anxiously greeted by their classmates and teachers as they arrived to school at about 8:40 a.m. that morning.
Bear Creek Elementary kindergartner Alex Thekan, squatting, was given a ride to school Nov. 17 in Engine 3 from the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District Woodmoor Station. Thekan was joined by classmates Jayce Duffy and Jenessa Duffy. Thekan won the fire truck ride prize for being the top overall fundraiser from the entire school during the jog-a-thon fundraiser held by the school in September. Courtesy photo