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Common-sense precautions can help keep you safe
The following is provided by Lt. Troy McCarty, Douglas County Sheriff's Office
 Virtually all activities in life entail some level of risk, and we all have different attitudes toward risk. At one end of the scale is refusing to engage in an activity by exaggerating the level of risk involved. At the other end is engaging in very risky activities while refusing to take any precautions. Neither of these attitudes is useful for living an empowered life. What is useful is to accurately assess the risks, take those precautions that make sense, and live as fully as possible.
Awareness should be your first line of defense. Most people think self-defense is something physical, but it begins long before any contact. The most important component is awareness of yourself, your surroundings and what you are capable of doing.
The following precautions will not guarantee safety, but they will minimize criminal opportunities.
In your home or apartment:
- Have lights at all entrances. Light deters crime.
- Have a wide-angle door viewer (peephole) on all exterior doors.
- Have good locks on all doors and windows – and USE THEM.
- Do not use your full name on your mailbox, in the telephone directory, or on your answering machine.
- Do not leave a schedule of your times away from home on your answering machine.
- Know which of your neighbors you can trust and depend upon in an emergency.
- Check who is at the door before opening it, and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor.
- Do not hide extra keys in easily accessible places. Criminals know where to look.
- Ask for photo identification of all repair persons. If you are suspicious, call to verify employment.
- Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.
- Consider creating a “safe room” with a separate telephone line or cellular phone, and strong locks. If someone breaks in, you can retreat there and call for help.
- Do not let strangers into your home or apartment to use the telephone. Offer to make the call for them.
- Always close your garage doors before you drive away.
CERT helps community prepare for emergencies
 The Castle Pines North Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been reaching out to local government, civic and church organizations to raise awareness of the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness. The CERT program was initially developed to train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. The program is designed to help educate individuals and families on how to prepare for emergencies, render basic aid and increase survivability during a disaster situation.
The CERT course is taught in the community by a trained team of first responders who have completed a CERT course conducted by their state training office for emergency management or FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI). CERT training includes disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, basic disaster medical operations, light search and rescue operations and terrorism awareness.
The focus of the Castle Pines CERT group is to educate as many people as possible in Castle Pines North on the basics of aid and planning in the wake of a local disaster event such as wildfire, tornado or other severe weather event. The local CERT chapter would like to increase the local CERT membership of fully trained and qualified personnel. The mission of Castle Pines CERT members is to look to their personal and family safety first and then help your neighbors.
Recognizing that our neighbors all lead busy lives the Castle Pines CERT organization is also extending some basic training to local households. Castle Pines CERT is targeting late August or early September to host a CPR training class for local residents subject to demand and response.
If you are interested in the Castle Pines CERT program or wish to participate in the CPR training offered please email the Castle Pines CERT coordinator at cpncert@hotmail.com.
Also please join us for the Castle Pines CERT monthly meeting and learn how you can help your family, friends and neighbors in an emergency. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., at HOA 1 Clubhouse.
Council hosts Proposition 101, Amendment 60, and Amendment 61 overview
 On July 26, the City Council hosted an overview for Castle Pines residents of Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 presented by Dee Wisor of Sherman & Howard LLC. These three statewide initiatives will be on the November 2010 ballot and, if passed, will become effective on January 1, 2011.
Each of the three initiatives is likely to have direct and indirect financial impacts on every municipality statewide, including Castle Pines North. The exact range of impacts to all Colorado governments as a result of the three initiatives is currently unknown. However, the impact is likely to be significant and include a decrease in revenues and subsequently, the level of services currently being provided.
Summary of Proposition 101: Proposition 101 is a statutory change that will reduce the State income tax, various motor vehicle fees and taxes, and fees on telecommunications services. Proposition 101, if approved by Colorado state voters, will take effect January 1, 2011.
Summary of Amendment 60: Amendment 60 will amend Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (TABOR) by adding a section to create new limits, rules and restrictions on property taxes. In summary, this amendment will override previous court decisions interpreting TABOR and revoke prior voter approvals concerning the “debrucing” of property taxes.
Summary of Amendment 61: Amendment 61 will amend Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (TABOR) by adding a section to prohibit State debt and limit local government debt. In summary, this amendment will change the manner in which both the State and local government may incur debt, and applies to any loan, regardless of the term of the loan.
At the community meeting there was significant discussion on the potential impacts of these initiatives upon the citizens of Castle Pines North, including possible closure of the library. Please get informed on these initiatives and their impacts and be sure to VOTE!
For more detailed information on Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 please go to the Castle Pines website.
You are also encouraged to attend a Douglas County Community Forum on this issue to be held August 11, 6 p.m., at the Wildlife Experience, 10035 South Peoria in Parker. Everyone needs to educate themselves on the potential impacts these initiatives can have on our economy, local services, law enforcement, emergency services, roads, parks, schools, water projects, and so much more.At this forum you will hear from both sides of the issue.
Marijuana dispensary ban likely to be extended
The Castle Pines North City Council later this month will likely extend a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits, with an expectation the matter will be put to Castle Pines voters in the November general election.
On July 13, Council unanimously approved the first reading of an emergency ordinance to extend the moratorium, with a final vote scheduled for August 10. The initial moratorium, enacted in January, currently is set to expire August 30. The City, following the lead of Douglas County, Castle Rock, Parker and Lone Tree, originally took the measure in order to buy time to analyze potential impacts of dispensaries and how best to regulate them, as well as see what new measures the Colorado Legislature might put in place during its session.
On August 24, Council will discuss proposed ballot language for a November referendum that will allow Castle Pines residents to vote on whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries within the City limits. Voters in unincorporated Douglas County also will have their say on the matter, as will those in Lone Tree. Parker already has imposed a ban on the businesses while Castle Rock and Larkspur are considering similar moves.
New Castle Pines Community Partnership helps coordinate entities
 Members of the Castle Pines Economic Development Council and City Council recently formed the Castle Pines Community Partnership which brings together representatives from the governing and service entities of Castle Pines North. The intent of this group is to strengthen the lines of communication between the entities serving Castle Pines in order to better combine and coordinate efforts, events, and issues on behalf of Castle Pines residents.
One of the first items being coordinated through the CPCP is a community master calendar where residents can go to one source to find any and all activities and meetings scheduled in the community rather than look through each entity's separate calendar.
Representatives from the City of Castle Pines North, Castle Pines Economic Development Council, Master Association, Parks Authority, Metro District, Library, and Chamber will meet monthly for the purpose of combining efforts where possible to better serve Castle Pines residents.
City Council, Metro District hold joint meeting
On July 20, the Castle Pines City Council and the Castle Pines Metro District met in Executive Session to discuss strategies related to more closely integrating the two entities for the benefit of their joint residents and taxpayers. The meeting was attended by City Council members, Metro District board members, staff, and a facilitator.
The respective boards entertained questions from one another and had a productive dialogue that included expressing their philosophical approaches to the integration of both entities. There was genuine interest from both entities in hearing and understanding the other's point of view. After several hours, the City Council and the District Board provided direction to their respective attorneys to begin drafting a Memo of Understanding (MOU) setting forth some of the goals and terms of integration. Eventually, the MOU will be discussed publicly, as it will need to be acted upon formally by each entity following the opportunity for public input. Look for this on future meeting agendas.
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