Program:  The Jefferson County Sheriffs Department
Sheriff Jeff Shrader, Officer Janie Gonda
 
What keeps our Sheriff up at night?—the always present need to meet unknown experiences that happen every day.   There are 550,000 people in Jefferson County (JeffCo), with projections of 680,000 in 20 years.  He uses these data to determine the need for personnel, jail capacity and other infrastructure/personnel.  Some current issues:
 
  • The County Jail accommodates 1280; the current population is 1372; the safe capacity is 1400.  We are experiencing an increase in violent crimes, especially in un-incorporated Jefferson County.  The cost to replace our jail would be just under $1 billion. 
  • Growing problem: opioid addiction.  There were 60 opioid related deaths last year.  Narcan is now in every patrol car; but JeffCo does not have enough opioid deaths to qualify for federal funds. 
Some 'good' news, the Family Justice Program.  Domestic violence offenders are in the jail population; the DA office and Sheriff established a Family Justice Center to join service partners with victims needing help.  It includes the law enforcement officers, the justice system and human services. In communities where Family Justice Centers are available, related homicides have been reduced by 50%!  In JeffCo, there are officers specifically trained and assigned to the Family Justice program.
 
Officer Janie Conda talked to us about crime prevention.  An asset to Jefferson County is the JeffCo Business Academy, providing safety tips, security assessments and training.  Assessments can be done for private homes.  There is a training course October 12, 19, and 26, 8-10 AM in the Sheriff’s Complex.  If you would like to attend, contact Janie at: crimeprevention@jeffco.us; 303-271-5807.  The course topics will include:  theft prevention, “Run. Hide. Fight”, counterfeit bills, shoplifting, burglary and robbery, and security assessments.
 
An additional offering from the Sheriff's Department is the Citizen's Academy, which orients people to the sheriff’s department and provides law enforcement training/education.
 
 
Guests:  Tom Becker
 
 
Announcements/Business:
  • The Treasures Sale is this Saturday.  Donations will be accepted Friday 5-8PM.  More volunteers are needed; sign up thru Sign-Up Genius HERE, or contact Susan Imming, Yvonne Lipson or Lesley Landon.
  • The Mountain Home and Garden Show is looking for sponsors.  Speak with Suzanne or Janine.
  • Ed Steinbrecher is requesting assistance with a birthday party for his wife Sunday October 1st at 4PM at Center for the Arts, Evergreen.  He will make a donation in the name of Rotary helpers to the Conifer Rotary Foundation.
  • The Visioning follow up with be October 17 and 24 during our regular meeting.  There will also be a report given to the evening group.
  • Hurricane disaster relief donations can be made through our club foundation on the Rotary Conifer website.  Our donations will go to RI hurricane relief.
  • Thanks to Mat Matson and Audrey Matson for a Rotary Club flag from Mt. Pleasant, SC.
  • The Conifer High School raised $340 for hurricane relief at the football game last week.  They will continue to raise money at their games.
  • Mount  Evans Home Health Care and Hospice is hosting a Stakeholders meeting October 11, 2017, 5:30-7 pm at DW Diner in Conifer.  Appetizers and beverages will be provided.  The program will focus on the current state of home health care, hospice and palliative care in Colorado as well as the direction of health care/health insurance in the USA.  RSVP: DSchwartz@MountEvans.org.