Week of September 1, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
Addressing homelessness is hindered by community opposition Officials hope for compromise
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 40
Parker police replace plate-reading cameras
BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Each device is $25,000
Douglas County has under 100 people who are unhoused and hundreds more in precarious housing, but county leaders say community stigma has so far hindered efforts to provide year-round shelter locally. Concerns about safety and funding were reignited at the Aug. 11 meeting of the Douglas County Homelessness Initiative, where a plan to expand the existing winter shelter network hosted by a variety of churches to a year-round program faced resistance from public commenters. One commenter said she only supported helping the people who want help, but not with a shelter. “I don’t want to see this beautiful area that we live in and we choose for this reason to have homeless to have drugs, to be downtown infiltrated,” the woman said. “We do not want to invite homeless into our area. I am very, very opposed to this.”
BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
SEE HOMELESS, P4
Commissioner Abe Laydon answered questions from the attendees during the June FILE PHOTO 22 town hall on homelessness in Douglas County.
2022 sees strong residential, business growth in Parker More expected this year BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Town of Parker is on par to see stronger growth compared to last year, according to a presenta-
tion from staff during an Aug. 26 work session. So far, there has been a 32% rise in single family residence permits compared to last year, said John Fussa, director of community development. “There continues to be interest from the building, development
BOND MEASURE APPROVED
and investment community in the Town of Parker,” he said. “We think that’s good news.” Housing affordability and staffing for local businesses remain as struggles for the town, he said. Parker is still largely a bedroom
School district looks to voters to approve funding P10
SEE GROWTH, P2
The Parker Police Department recently purchased two new cameras used to automatically read license plates throughout the town, according to an Aug. 22 presentation to town council. The cameras, which are attached to two patrol cars, constantly snap photos of license plates within view and compare the plate information to databases with information regarding missing persons, warrants and stolen cars. When a vehicle is found to match a plate in the system, officers are immediately notified, “so contact can be made,” said Josh Hans, a spokesperson for the Parker Police Department. All photos of license plates are stored for a year before being deleted. While the cameras can be placed in a stationary position, like over a highway, the ones purchased will only be used on patrol cars, Hans said. “The system, and searchable information, is limited only to the plate number. Any registration information for the vehicle is not included with the data,” Hans said. “In order to obtain that information, the image would have to be of interest in a case and regular investigatory procedures would apply to obtain registration information as part of that case.” SEE POLICE, P2
SECOND HAND LOVE
Finding prizes at unique thrift shops P14