January 29, 2010

As the result of a joint investigation, detectives from both the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force (MATT) as well as the West Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) arrested six people overnight and seized six stolen vehicles.

Sgt Dave Hoover of MATT said that detectives with the WMDTF developed information through one of their cases that a female wanted to sell a vehicle which turned out to be stolen. MATT detectives became involved in an undercover capacity and purchased the stolen vehicle last night. Their subsequent investigation led them to an additional five stolen vehicles. In addition to those vehicles, detectives seized several weapons and small amounts of controlled substances.

The arrests were made in, and vehicles taken from, several locations in the metropolitan area, including Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, Jefferson County and Denver.

While MATT & WMDTF detectives indicate their investigation is certainly ongoing and that additional charges are probable, those arrested last night face charges of aggravated motor vehicle theft, fencing, weapons charges and some drug charges. The identities and mug shots of those arrested will not be made available until such time detectives feel their investigation and any additional arrests have been completed.

For further information please contact Sgt. Dave Hoover at 303-987-4901.

Here are responses to the questions from the September Ward 5 meeting:

1.  Residents commented about the NW corner of Jewell and Wadsworth and the abandoned gas station.  It looks bad and is overgrown with weeds.  Can we do anything about it?

RESPONSE: A Lakewood Code Enforcement officer inspected the site shortly after the September Ward 5 meeting and found no City code violations currently.

Lakewood's Economic Development Division has had a few inquires about the site at 1897 Wadsworth.  However, the site has many constraints and will only be attractive to a select tenant.  Economic Development markets all of the available properties in the city, and provides all potential clients with site specific information.  However, they have no control over the private market's ability to fast track any development activity. They will continue to market the site and inform the Jewell Wadsworth Business Association of any potential development activity.

2. Kipling and Florida intersection- the stop light for drivers southbound on Kipling turning east onto Florida is very long.  This is a big problem at evening rush hour.  Can we make this light shorter for those turning east onto Florida?

RESPONSE: Traffic Engineer Allen Albers checked the timing on the light at Kipling and Florida and found it met standards.  However, he is in the process of re-checking the timing of this light and others on Kipling.  He is also looking into a high tech device that may help with timing.  More on this later.

3. 6th and Wadsworth- The medians and grassy areas around the interchange look bad, plenty of weeds and trash.  Can we get CDOT to clean this up? 

RESPONSE: Ron Wagoner from Lakewood Public Works contacted the CDOT area supervisor.  The area was picked up and mowed on 10/08/2009. 

4. Coyote incidents

RESPONSE: Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta is working with our Animal Control officers (ACO's) to improve responses to citizen incident reports.  We acknowledge the need for the ACO's to be more empathetic in responding to citizen reports about coyote attacks on dogs.

Our staff is also working on a plan for more use of volunteers in educating the public about coyotes and gathering information on coyote activity.  However, for liability reasons it is not possible to use citizen patrols for coyote hazing. 

An announcement is forthcoming regarding Lakewood's participation in a study on urban coyotes.  The study is currently under development by the USDA National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins.