Because every town needs a park, a library and a newspaper
Carbondale’s weekly
community connector
Volume 11, Number 41 | November 21, 2019
By Roberta McGowan Sopris Sun Staff
Police Sgt. Randy Rodgers works with the fire department to extinguish a smoky trash container blaze. Photo by Roberta McGowan
It’s 8 p.m. on a recent First Friday — a dark and chilly evening on Main Street. Since the town is celebrating Dia de los Muertos, the Fourth Street Plaza is hopping. Artists from Dance of the Sacred Fire mesmerize the audience as they arc and weave during their fire and aerial silk performance using long scarves that whirl and twirl. Fire dancers are like gymnasts but with flames shooting out around them. The crowd “oohs and ahhs” at every twist and turn. Others mill around, enjoying the festivities at this and other spots downtown including the Thunder River Theatre and the Third Street Center. Whether you are here or at home watching your favorite TV show or streaming ESPN, you most probably feel quite safe. And you are. Much of the credit for this atmosphere of security goes to the hardworking officers of the Carbondale Police Department. Chief of Police Gene Schilling encourages the community to take advantage of the department’s opencar-door policy. Going on patrol can take one, two, three or 12 hours or anytime in between. Your choice. Just note that going on patrol is serious business. Danger is unlikely, but still does exist. So let’s spend a few hours together on a ride-along starting with Sgt. Randy Rodgers and later with Sgt. Robb Windham. First stop with Rodgers is at the plaza as the fire dancers begin flying with the flames. Rodgers is watching that the fire element stays under control. He never stops looking around for other dangers that might be creeping into the scene or anything else considered out of place or worrisome. Well prepared for whatever may come, Rodgers wears standard police gear including his department-issued firearm, bullet proof vest, handcuffs, body camera and a communications device. He brings Continued on page 8
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