Recently, I proposed bold initiatives to modernize and improve the Pitkin County Sheriff Department for the benefit of all residents and visitors. My “green” platform addresses the impact we all have on our environment. Secondly, I tackled possibly the biggest public safety threat in Pitkin County; alcohol related vehicle fatalities. Not only did Braudis responded by saying that he would not change any of his policies, he cited statistics that are factual inaccurate. For example, Braudis said. “We are making as many car stops as ever. There are just not as many drunk drivers.” The facts tell a different story. Car stops fell from 3800 in 2003 to 1995 in 2005. This year they are on pace for 1900-half of 2003’s efforts.
In a recent article when questioned about his priorities, Bob Braudis cited education as a priority. When you look at the actions of the Pitkin County Sheriff’s office, a different picture emerges. Pitkin County has jurisdiction over the schools, however:
1. There is no Pitkin County Deputy assigned to the school.
2. There are no Pitkin County Sheriff sponsored educational programs in the schools.
3. Bob Braudis has never met Dr. Diana Sirko, the Aspen school superintendent.
In contrast, the Aspen Police Department has two full time officers in the schools, and has several education programs that I have led and participated in. I personally as a candidate have met Dr. Sirko to discuss how the Sheriff’s deptartment can partner better with the schools. I feel the Sheriff’s office lack of participation in our school is a major shortcoming of Bob Braudis’ policies.
I will assign a deputy full time to the Aspen School District.
In the post-Columbine era, law enforcement must cultivate open lines of communications with students and teachers. As Sheriff, part of what I bring to the office, is not only ten years of experience working with the students of our community, but also a determination to transform the way the Sheriff’s office works with and protects our children.
The most serious threat to our children is the prospect of growing consumption of dangerous drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy, which are becoming increasing popular among children under eighteen.
Sheriff Braudis, in the April 20th Aspen Daily News stated, “Nobody wants the youth of Pitkin County using chemicals. It’s not healthy, whether it’s Budweiser or blow. We put most of our drug budget into educational programs, most of which deal with youth.” In addition to the shortcomings I cited above, the truth is that the Pitkin County Sheriff does not have a drug budget or educational programs in the schools.
As Sheriff my policy will be 180 degrees different. Borrowing on my experience with the Aspen Police-led programs at the schools:
I will sponsor youth events in an effort to build trust and communication with children.
For instance I have organized dozens of “Pizza in the Park” parties and bike rodeos at the Aspen schools and at the Early Learning Center. I will enact these and other programs aimed at building relationships with Pitkin County’s children. Plus I will partner with Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention to work with the schools to provide a healthy message to students.
This is particularly relevant now. Methamphetamines are creeping into this valley, quietly, secretively, but it is here. This is obviously a serious risk we need to deal with. Make no mistake, the Pitkin County Sheriff is not prepared for methamphetamines. The current Sheriff’s passive stance about hard drugs will not serve our community well.
I propose an upper valley substance abuse team called Yellow.
Because the current office is ill prepared to deal with this problem and because partnering is a model I believe in, I will create an all-inclusive team called Yellow that will address upper valley substance abuse problems, with an emphasis on education. We will collaborate with Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention, Aspen Valley Medical Foundation and the Right Door. Basalt PD, Snowmass Village PD, Aspen PD and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s office will all work together to solve substance abuse problems, while maintaining our unique humanistic approach to law enforcement.
Unfortunately, dozens of people have become addicted and/or overdosed during Braudis’ tenure. This would indicate not only that education is needed, but harder actions are required to try and prevent these tragedies. Despite the evidence of addiction and numerous documented deaths, his deputies have never arrested and convicted a dope dealer.
I raise a question: Could Sheriff Braudis have done more to prevent these tragedies?
I want to encourage children to make healthy, productive decision about their futures. I will take a balanced and rational approach against hard drugs. This is a public safety threat that I take seriously. I know first hand of the perils of hard drugs. I lost two uncles to substance abuse. One of the privileges of the office of Sheriff is the ability to positively influence our children on healthy alternatives. Many people in this community know me as not just a law enforcement officer, but as an artist. And in my work as an artist, I can act as a role model for students, that someone can be creative, edgy and fulfilled without the need for drugs.
These three initiatives will enhance the quality of life for all residents of Pitkin County, making it a more enlightened, safer community.
Spot on!
There you go, Rick!
Braudis has no education program.
Keep hitting him like that, and you might have a chance.
Spot on!
There you go, Rick!
Braudis has no education program.
Keep hitting him like that, and you might have a chance.
Braudis likes to make grand statements that appeal to some residents in this County. Some of these regard education. Back them up man. Back them up. I never see a deputy in the schools. You have one that works with kids, but he is never at the schools where the kids are, he is only reactionary-dealing with the kids AFTER they are in trouble. Too late man. Too late. I’m not saying the Aspen police are great or better or smarter than you, Bob, just because they have an officer up there full time (now two I hear?) but really, Bob, kids first right? What have you done? Specifically? Back it up. Put all the stuff on the table and talk about it. And, at the risk of alienating my self in this County…I hate drugs. I have never liked them and never found them to be a positive thing. You can talk about weed and blow in dismissive terms all you like, i.e.-’medical problem’ not a police problem. One leads to the other and so forth. I have seen it at an early age and lives have been damaged from it. Lives I cared about. Lives that are no longer with us. You defend that stance Bob. Defend your stance on drugs. Tell me how you will keep my kids, with my help of course, off drugs. Tell me.
Braudis likes to make grand statements that appeal to some residents in this County. Some of these regard education. Back them up man. Back them up. I never see a deputy in the schools. You have one that works with kids, but he is never at the schools where the kids are, he is only reactionary-dealing with the kids AFTER they are in trouble. Too late man. Too late. I’m not saying the Aspen police are great or better or smarter than you, Bob, just because they have an officer up there full time (now two I hear?) but really, Bob, kids first right? What have you done? Specifically? Back it up. Put all the stuff on the table and talk about it. And, at the risk of alienating my self in this County…I hate drugs. I have never liked them and never found them to be a positive thing. You can talk about weed and blow in dismissive terms all you like, i.e.-’medical problem’ not a police problem. One leads to the other and so forth. I have seen it at an early age and lives have been damaged from it. Lives I cared about. Lives that are no longer with us. You defend that stance Bob. Defend your stance on drugs. Tell me how you will keep my kids, with my help of course, off drugs. Tell me.
Someone needs to give Mr. Braudis some respect. He has done an outstanding job for longer than most have lived here. This is a safe place to raise kids and has been forever. If this is your complaint, “Having Bob Braudis in charge greatly endangers our youth…” Try another. Speaking from what I have seen the last 25 plus years in Aspen, not knowing Mr. Braudis personally, I think your wrong. I believe he just has a different and in my opinion better way of looking at the issues than most.
Someone needs to give Mr. Braudis some respect. He has done an outstanding job for longer than most have lived here. This is a safe place to raise kids and has been forever. If this is your complaint, “Having Bob Braudis in charge greatly endangers our youth…” Try another. Speaking from what I have seen the last 25 plus years in Aspen, not knowing Mr. Braudis personally, I think your wrong. I believe he just has a different and in my opinion better way of looking at the issues than most.
Heu keepaspenreal, here is a clue for you.
If you and your kids live in Aspen, they are safe thanks to the Aspen Police Dept.!
Heu keepaspenreal, here is a clue for you.
If you and your kids live in Aspen, they are safe thanks to the Aspen Police Dept.!
Teledogdos-
I know the police dept. does not like to work with the Sherriff’s dept, (i.e. the drug bust @ Cooper St.) but it is essential for a safe community. I’m talking about experience, and knowledge that can only stem from time. Braudis knows this valley. Last time I checked there are a great deal of people who live “outside city limits” who are indeed inside this community in a huge way. I do live “inside the limits” teledogtwo and I thank the police…but that has no bearing on the fact that Braudis (if he still wants the job?) is a man that you need to keep this place beautiful in every way.
Teledogdos-
I know the police dept. does not like to work with the Sherriff’s dept, (i.e. the drug bust @ Cooper St.) but it is essential for a safe community. I’m talking about experience, and knowledge that can only stem from time. Braudis knows this valley. Last time I checked there are a great deal of people who live “outside city limits” who are indeed inside this community in a huge way. I do live “inside the limits” teledogtwo and I thank the police…but that has no bearing on the fact that Braudis (if he still wants the job?) is a man that you need to keep this place beautiful in every way.
So?
What exactly do you think FatBob does to keep you safe?
Who is in the schoo right now working with kids? Who is on 8th grade ODE with kids? What office has officers actually on school grounds? THE ASPEN POLICE DEPT>!
You all should be thankfull for Loren Ryerson, and in fact he should run for Sheriff!
So?
What exactly do you think FatBob does to keep you safe?
Who is in the schoo right now working with kids? Who is on 8th grade ODE with kids? What office has officers actually on school grounds? THE ASPEN POLICE DEPT>!
You all should be thankfull for Loren Ryerson, and in fact he should run for Sheriff!