Hotchkiss Marshal’s Report: I Tought I Taw a (Big) Puddy Tat

 I Tought I Taw a (Big) Puddy Tat

By Thomas Wills

Hotchkiss Marshal’s Report

August and September, 2014

                Marshal Dan Miller reported to the Town Council at their September 11 meeting that a mountain lion has taken up residence in the town and vicinity. It is apparently losing its fear of people and has been seen during daylight hours in many areas of town including near the K-8 school and the Barrow Mesa/Clara Vista area. The large cat may be drawn to easy food sources in town such as unsecured trash and feral domestic cats. Citizens are urged to be cautious and not leave items outside, such as discarded food and pet food, or even small pets themselves. The CDOW has been notified but are of the opinion that the mountain lion will probably move off on its own eventually.

                Marshall  Miller reported that attendance at the Delta County Fair appeared to be down this year from the point of view of traffic control and other issues. He reports no serious problems with traffic or the event.

                Marshal Miller reminds everyone to watch out for children walking back and forth to school. Please be extra alert in the early mornings as well as at mid- to late afternoons when school is let out.

                Miller also reported to the trustees that department members will be attending ongoing and new State mandated training sessions, which will result in the department being fully updated, but shorthanded from time to time.  

                 The department will be hosting the 9^th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on September 27 during which people can drop off expired and unwanted prescription drugs at the Marshal’s Department at Town Hall. Please do not flush drugs into the sewer system or put in with your regular trash. This may result in environmental hazards as well as being unfriendly to the Town’s sewer treatment process.

                For the month of August there were 149 logged items which include possible multiple items stemming from a single incident. 55 items were vehicle related including 5 traffic accidents, 29 traffic contacts and 20 vehicle number inspections. There were 5 pedestrian contacts, meaning an officer inquired as to the status of someone walking or loitering in town.

                There were four incidents of larceny thefts in town including a firearm and a lawnmower stolen for a home on upper Cedar Drive. There were five incidents of different types of criminal mischief.  Two juvenile runaways were reported. There was one report of harassment and one of disorderly conduct. Three fugitives from justice, with warrants issued from other jurisdictions, were arrested.

                There were nine animal problems including dog issues and reports of the mountain lion. As always the department performed numerous assists during ambulance calls and in support of other agencies as well as assisting citizens.

                The new revitalized Hotchkiss Neighborhood Watch program is progressing with Deputy Gates Shaklee acting as the department liaison/advisor for the group. Citizens are urged to support the HNW program, which at its core is neighbors getting to know neighbors a little better and gaining better awareness of what problems make to cropping up around our small town—like wandering bears and mountain lions and bored kids. All while building community and a sense of individual civic responsibility.   Donations to the program may be made via the Town of Hotchkiss P.O. Box 369, Hotchkiss, CO 81419.  Just put Hotchkiss neighborhood Watch in the memo line on your check. Funds will be used for public education and events such as the September community-wide Block Party, Neighborhood Watch signage, and other expenses of furthering the program.