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05-18-09, 12:52 PM
My EMail to Parker
The Cherry Creek Trail and Emergency Response
*
Is it possible to give a physical tour of the Cherry Creek Trail, Sulphur Gulch Trail and other Parker area trails to your police and fire dispatchers??
*
Today, I had a runaway horse go by me, while bicycling, with no rider.* I had seen the rider just previously*fording Cherry Creek, and now the horse was running fast.* I had also seen a coyote running in the field near the horse.
*
I was about 1/4 mile away, and called the dispatcher.* She asked me what my address was.* Of course, I had no address.* I tried to explain that I was between the East??? Trailhead (I couldn't remember the exact name) and the Stroh Road Bridge.
*
She was not aware of any East??? park/trailhead, and I explained it was across from the Parker United Methodist Church.* She then asked me if I was near Mainstreet.
*
I said no, nowhere near Mainstreet.
*
About that time, a group of folks who had gone over to assist started walking back, and another rider came by, and I asked if the rider was injured.* They said she was fine, so I canceled the 911 call.
*
This is the 3rd time over the past 8 years that I have called 911 from the Cherry Creek Trail, and each time the 911 operator has been totally confused by the fact that Cherry Creek Trail has no addresses.
*
A tour would be of great benefit, I believe.
*
This has happened with both the Parker and Douglas County dispatchers.
*
I realize there are new mileage markers, but unless you are right next to one, they don't help a lot.
*
Also, if the bridge underpasses were marked with a sign, it would help greatly, especially for people new to the area.* Lakewood does this, as does Denver.* I forgot all about the new Hess Bridge.
======================================
Response from Parker
Mr. Fox,
*
Your email was forwarded to me, and the idea of a tour was discussed in a Director meeting this morning. Your suggestions are very good, and we plan to implement them as quickly as possible. A familiarization tour is being planned for the dispatchers, and I will be directing our Public Works Operations staff to make plans to stencil street names onto both sides of each bridge, within the Town, that crosses our trails.
*
Unfortunately not all cellular 911 calls go to our Police dispatch, as some go to Douglas County Sheriff's dispatch. Hopefully when our PD discusses the issue with Douglas County, a similar effort is undertaken on their part.
*
Thank you for your involvement in this recent incident, as well as for your timely suggestions. Please feel free to contact me if needed.
*
Mike
*
Michael E. Sutherland, AAE
Public Works Director
Town of Parker, Colorado
303.840.9546
The Cherry Creek Trail and Emergency Response
*
Is it possible to give a physical tour of the Cherry Creek Trail, Sulphur Gulch Trail and other Parker area trails to your police and fire dispatchers??
*
Today, I had a runaway horse go by me, while bicycling, with no rider.* I had seen the rider just previously*fording Cherry Creek, and now the horse was running fast.* I had also seen a coyote running in the field near the horse.
*
I was about 1/4 mile away, and called the dispatcher.* She asked me what my address was.* Of course, I had no address.* I tried to explain that I was between the East??? Trailhead (I couldn't remember the exact name) and the Stroh Road Bridge.
*
She was not aware of any East??? park/trailhead, and I explained it was across from the Parker United Methodist Church.* She then asked me if I was near Mainstreet.
*
I said no, nowhere near Mainstreet.
*
About that time, a group of folks who had gone over to assist started walking back, and another rider came by, and I asked if the rider was injured.* They said she was fine, so I canceled the 911 call.
*
This is the 3rd time over the past 8 years that I have called 911 from the Cherry Creek Trail, and each time the 911 operator has been totally confused by the fact that Cherry Creek Trail has no addresses.
*
A tour would be of great benefit, I believe.
*
This has happened with both the Parker and Douglas County dispatchers.
*
I realize there are new mileage markers, but unless you are right next to one, they don't help a lot.
*
Also, if the bridge underpasses were marked with a sign, it would help greatly, especially for people new to the area.* Lakewood does this, as does Denver.* I forgot all about the new Hess Bridge.
======================================
Response from Parker
Mr. Fox,
*
Your email was forwarded to me, and the idea of a tour was discussed in a Director meeting this morning. Your suggestions are very good, and we plan to implement them as quickly as possible. A familiarization tour is being planned for the dispatchers, and I will be directing our Public Works Operations staff to make plans to stencil street names onto both sides of each bridge, within the Town, that crosses our trails.
*
Unfortunately not all cellular 911 calls go to our Police dispatch, as some go to Douglas County Sheriff's dispatch. Hopefully when our PD discusses the issue with Douglas County, a similar effort is undertaken on their part.
*
Thank you for your involvement in this recent incident, as well as for your timely suggestions. Please feel free to contact me if needed.
*
Mike
*
Michael E. Sutherland, AAE
Public Works Director
Town of Parker, Colorado
303.840.9546