---
title: "Fighting Neighborhood Terrorism: Resolution for a Distressed Community in Arvada, Colorado"
type: "pdf"
year: "2002"
canonical: "/projects/148"
---

# FIGHTING NEIGHBORHOOD TERRORISM:  RESOLUTION FOR A DISTRESSED COMMUNITY IN ARVADA, COLORADO 

THE PROBLEM: Neighborhood disputes centering around one residence in a oneblock area of City Of Arvada.

ANALYSIS: Community Resource Officer, Ginger Charles, investigated repeated calls for service in a one-block area centered around one residence. Community members demonstrated severe signs of distress due to the behavior of the residents in the offending home. Officers developed a more comprehensive understanding regarding the prolonged effects of nuisance in a neighborhood leading to declines in quality of life issues for community members.

RESPONSE: Officers implemented a four-pronged approach in response to distress experienced within community:

- Community members collaborated with officers in monitoring criminal activity in and around the area affected using the "Safe Streets Now" program.
- A Community Resource Officer coordinated the efforts of police department, community members, other city and county departments, and other agencies.
- Partnership with community members led to exploration of additional psychological effects from trauma of nuisance and criminal activity around offending neighbors.
- Crime analysis produced a timeline and statistical data reflecting the history of the problems occurring at the residence. This afforded a clearer picture of the problem as it continued and provided additional insight into alternative responses.

ASSESSMENT: While the problem discussed is a common problem in police work, officers discovered that this neighborhood presented atypical challenges in an attempt to correct the criminal activity, city code violations, and nuisances occurring within this block area. Inconsistencies in follow-up, communication between various organizations and city departments, as well as discrepancies in different processes frustrated efforts to resolve the problem. The result was a formal process of addressing troublesome properties using the police departments, code enforcement, animal control, building inspection, utility billing, legal and judicial departments, county department of Health and Environment.

In addition, it was revealed that the emotional impact of the trauma experienced by the community members was extensive, requiring supplementary inquiry into the consequence of prolonged stress.

This final area became more important during the project as it provided farther understanding about the significance of addressing neighborhood problems immediately to lessen the impact for other communities and their members.

# Table of Contents

- [FIGHTING NEIGHBORHOOD TERRORISM:  RESOLUTION FOR A DISTRESSED COMMUNITY IN ARVADA, COLORADO](#fighting-neighborhood-terrorism-resolution-for-a-distressed-community-in-arvada-colorado)
- [FIGHTING NEIGHBORHOOD TERRORISM: RESOLUTION FOR A DISTRESSED COMMUNITY IN ARVADA, COLORADO](#fighting-neighborhood-terrorism-resolution-for-a-distressed-community-in-arvada-colorado)
  - [SCANNING:](#scanning)
- [ANALYSIS:](#analysis)
- [RESPONSE:](#response)
  - [Enforcement](#enforcement)
- [Education](#education)
- [Partnership](#partnership)
- [ASSESSMENT:](#assessment)
- [AGENCY AND OFFICER INFORMATION:](#agency-and-officer-information)
- [APPENDIX A](#appendix-a)
- [ANTS' RELATED TO.](#ants-related-to)
- [EVENTS RELATED TO:](#events-related-to)
- [E111TS' -RELATED 1A](#e111ts-related-1a)
  - [10128591](#10128591)
    - [1200 hrs Criminal Mischief to D. Hamilton's vehicle](#1200-hrs-criminal-mischief-to-d-hamiltons-vehicle)
    - [1400 hrs Officer Is at 5135 Iris St talking to *D. Hamilton* when *L. Walker* calls *Hamilton*; Officer listens to conversation on phone extension.](#1400-hrs-officer-is-at-5135-iris-st-talking-to-d-hamilton-when-l-walker-calls-hamilton-officer-listens-to-conversation-on-phone-extension)
    - [1830 hrs Hamilton phones](#1830-hrs-hamilton-phones)
    - [Criminal Mischief - Vehicle](#criminal-mischief-vehicle)
    - [Harassment Complaint](#harassment-complaint)
- [EVENTS RELATED TO:](#events-related-to)
- [REFERENCE](#reference)

# FIGHTING NEIGHBORHOOD TERRORISM: RESOLUTION FOR A DISTRESSED COMMUNITY IN ARVADA, COLORADO 

## SCANNING:

The Arvada Police Department serves a population of approximately 105,000 community members. Within the City Of Arvada, there is a mixture of residential, commercial, and rural zones. The population is mixed, with an increasing influx of immigrants. The district involved in this project comprises lifelong residents in a small subdivision on the southern end of the city's boundaries. Most of the residents within this area have either grown up on this block, have children who live on nearby blocks, or have lived in the neighborhood for several years. This area tends to be relatively low in criminal activity. According to one community member, "We are not a wealthy neighborhood, however we are rich in abundance, strong character, and pride". This neighborhood also borders another city's jurisdiction, which encompasses section 8 (subsidized) apartment complexes, an industrial business district including hotels, gas stations, and fast foods restaurants. In general terms, this neighborhood reflects a stable and typical community. See map below, section 3103.

POLICE REPORTING DISTRICTS FOR THE CITY OF ARAVADA
![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/02-01/img-0.jpeg)

The police department has embraced the philosophy of community policing since 1994. Arvada police department has four community resource officers who target specific

high crime areas or recurring problems in the community. The concept of employing these officers is to provide creative alternatives to problem solving.

In August 2001, the community members in this subdivision (Sandra Terri subdivision) contacted Officer Ginger Charles, a Community Resource Officer, about the increasing criminal activity in their subdivision and their frustration with the continuing neighborhood problem. According to the neighbors, this problem had continued for the last five years. Previously, the community members had contacted the police department's Special Investigations Unit (West Metro Drug Task Force) regarding what they believed to be drug traffic occurring at 5129 Iris Street.

Investigators received a search warrant (August $16^{\text {th }}, 2001$ ) for the residence after extensive surveillance. Research into the area revealed that the police department had received calls from the neighbors about possible drug activity at the residence since November 1998. Continuing calls for service in this area were addressed in a typical response from the police department, whereby officers respond to the immediate problem and moved to the next call.

Upon execution of the search warrant on August $23^{\text {rd }}$, 2001, Officer Ginger Charles conducted a meeting with approximately thirty-four residents from the Sandra Terri subdivision on September 12, 2001 to discuss and evaluate their concerns about the problems in their neighborhood. The meeting revealed that the neighbors were in fear of the residents living at 5129 Iris Street. According to the community members, they had endured months of increasing crime in their neighborhood to include, burglary, domestic violence, criminal trespasses, drug activity, traffic problems, neighborhood disputes, and blight. In addition, the neighbors criticized the police department stating, "Officers did not care about the conditions of their neighborhood because they don't have to live here". The attraction of the criminal element had become intolerable. For example on a single night, the neighbors recorded four notebook pages of license plates seen arriving and leaving from the residence (5129 Iris St.).

Due to the extensive interest on the part of the neighborhood, the community resource officer suggested implementing the "Safe Streets Now" program (Wetzel, 1989). Officer Ginger Charles explained the concept of the program and the importance of the community members' involvement. The program involves the neighbors recording on an activity sheet all suspicious activity, vehicular and pedestrian traffic at the location of interest. In addition, the neighbors then mail the owner of the property a "letter of compliance" to demand that the residents living at the property cease all activity that destroys the peace and quality of life for the neighbors. Should the owner fail to respond to the letter or fail to comply, the neighbors may then collectively sue the owner of the property for the maximum amount per individual in small claims court. In effect, the neighbors could receive a judgment against the owner in excess of the value of the property, thereby effectively removing the residents of the home and taking possession of the property.

Initially, the problem was believed to be of a four-month duration. However, as the members began to discuss their concerns it was apparent that the problem extended far beyond the four months and presented constant distress regarding the quality of life of the community members in their neighborhood.

# ANALYSIS: 

Members of the community believed that the police department regarded their issues in their neighborhood as "low priority" calls. The neighborhood was "in fear" of the consequences should the problem continue to be "ignored". One neighbor became so overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation that he "took matters into his own hands". This neighbor decided he was "going to tow away the `drug car' himself'.

During a disturbance involving the residents on the lawn at 5129 Iris Street, this neighbor drove his truck into the area in an attempt to resolve the escalating problems in the community. However, he was intoxicated and was subsequently arrested by officers for Driving under the Influence. The neighbor was extremely embarrassed by his actions. However, the other community members were supportive of his intentions and recognized that "unfortunately he found his breaking point".

All of the community members felt that the neighborhood had plunged into a severe decay, their personal safety was endangered, and their property values had declined. These neighbors believed they were imprisoned in their neighborhood, unable to find any resolution and had also considered "taking matters into their own hands".

Officer Ginger Charles and a crime analyst, Susan Land, Ph.D., researched the problem. The results of a timeline produced by the crime analyst detailed the problem dating back to July 1997. In addition, the length of the timeline (Appendix A) pointed to the escalation of criminal activity in and around the property in question. The analysis simply provided highlights of what was occurring on Iris Street and did not present each criminal episode. Crime statistics for this district demonstrated that the amount of calls for service on the one block of Iris Street were disproportionate to the remainder of the district. Of particular note, the increase in "suspicious vehicles" on the 5100 block of Iris Street (J103) increased from 18 to 70 incidents from 1999 to 2001.

| A.L ${ }^{1}$ | 9 | 24 |  |
| :-- | :-- | :-- | :-- |
| Suspicious Incidents | 18 | 10 | 46 |
| Suspicious Persons | 12 | 2 | 28 |
| Suspicious Vehicle | 18 | 32 | 70 |

In addition, the community members were evaluated as to the harm caused by the length and intensity of the problem. It became apparent to Officer Charles that the community members were showing signs of the effects of psychosocial trauma. Officer Charles classified this problem as a prolonged traumatic event for the neighborhood. This was based on current research regarding trauma (Columbine Connections, March 2002),

which illustrates certain behavioral changes. The neighbors shared that there were changes in sleep patterns and feelings of health. The community demonstrated anger and a hypervigilence regarding their situation due to the lack of safety perceived in the neighborhood. Some members expressed concerns about their relationships within their families.

The recognition of the effects of trauma was an additional portion of the project that became more important as the problem lengthened. It was determined that the community members should be afforded the opportunity to participate in a general health survey toward the end of the project (Appendix B), evaluating how they believed this event affected them. It was expressed several times by community members that this problem had "changed them". While the problem was viewed as extremely negative, most of the community believed that there were additional positives to occur in the event.

Research disclosed that the neighborhood had a unique problem, not typical of neighborhood disputes. The original problem began with animal neglect and cruelty in February 1998. The problem continued with disturbances and domestics between the residents living at 5129 Iris Street. The incidents increased steadily, with the neighbors calling more frequently as the traffic (drug activity) increased on the block, peaking in August 2001.

While focusing on the conditions that give rise to crime and disorder, Officer Charles evaluated the environmental cues present, which would allow for the symptoms to increase numerically as well as aggressively.

1. The owner of the property was the primary resident involved in the criminal activity. He had owned the home for several years and was well established in the neighborhood. It is typical for "drug houses" to be rental property and, therefore, easier to remove problem tenants.
2. The neighborhood bordered another jurisdiction. This afforded criminals the ability to quickly disappear out of the City Of Arvada, playing against law enforcement's ability to communicate well agency to agency.
3. According to one neighbor, the offending resident had previously threatened two other community members who then moved away from the neighborhood, thereby establishing a feeling of dominance over the members and the entire neighborhood.
4. Statistics indicated that this area had a relatively low crime rate. Community members believed they were safe from crime. With the established relationship, the community members never assumed the crime would emanate from one of their own.
5. The "problem" had continued for years unbeknownst to the police department. It involved other types of disorder not typically addressed by law enforcement, to include; trash, other code violations, animal cruelty and neglect, and junk/disabled vehicles.

6. Due to the variety of problems occurring at the residence, a large communication gap developed as city departments failed to exchange information about a "developing problem property"

In essence, all of these factors identified fostered an environment ripe for continuing and escalating criminal behavior.

# RESPONSE: 

## Enforcement

The first response was to address the criminal activity occurring at the residence. Officer Charles advised the neighbors to call the police when they observed any suspicious activity. The connnunity members also maintained daily activity logs of traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) entering and leaving the residence. The community members began to develop trust with the police department and felt empowered by their involvement.

Before implementing this response, the police department was repeatedly responding to calls for service in this community resolving the immediate problem but neglecting the root of the disease. Unfortunately patrol officers, code enforcement, and animal control officers were not communicating with each other. Each area was addressing issues as they presented and moving on.

The enforcement portion of this response was designed to focus specifically on the center of the problem, which were the residents of 5129 Iris Street. Communication was paramount among community members, the police department, and other city departments and agencies. Once lines of communication were opened, efforts of addressing criminal activity provided the opportunity to build effective cases against the residents.

The patrol division was informed about the reoccurring problems within this neighborhood. With the assistance of commanders and supervisors, the officers were told to take action anytime they could in that community involving the residents at 5129 Iris Street. One patrol commander advised his team that they were to "Iegally and constitutionally kick butt in the neighborhood". Previous surveillance of the neighborhood exposed that most of the visitors to that location had histories of possession of controlled substances, concealed weapons violations, and/or assaults.

In addition, other police agencies were contacted to provide assistance to Arvada police officers. Wheat Ridge Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff's Department offered extra patrol in the area, maintaining a higher level of visibility and aiding in enforcement of criminal activity. This demonstration gave the community . members comfort and support by presenting an immediate visual expression of support for the neighbors and their concerns. Finally, the enforcement exposed the core of the problem and revealed that the residents were entrenched in criminal activity. These

occupants of 5129 Iris Street sat in the center of an extensive web reaching far beyond the boundaries of this neighborhood.

With the increasing pressure from law enforcement, the residents at 5129 Iris Street began to "wage war" against community members, specifically targeting the neighbor immediately to the north of the location. This neighbor repeatedly had her windows shot out in both her vehicle and home. Officer Ginger Charles suggested that the neighbors install video cameras in the front of their homes to assist law enforcement in positively identifying the suspects. Two neighbors mounted video cameras in their front windows, while a third neighbor was loaned a video camera from the traffic division of the police department. While the police department was unsuccessful in identifying suspects associated with the property crimes, one camera caught a suspect breaking a window in the neighbor's vehicle as he leaned out of a moving vehicle with a paper sack covering his head.

The community members were constantly harassed by the offending residents at 5129 Iris Street. The residents continually yelled and screamed obscenities and threats at the community members, telling them that the damage would continue as long as the neighbors continued to involve law enforcement. Neighbors were followed in and out of the neighborhood by these residents, furthering their distress and fear. These members were in fear for their safety by the intimidating acts of the residents of 5129 Iris Street. However, the community continued to assist the police department providing information about criminal activity in and around the area.

The neighbors continued to watch out for each other. They would "take shifts" advising each other when they needed to leave the neighborhood. They maintained their activity logs and communicated with each other about movement in the area. Their eyes provided a valuable link to what was occurring in real time on the block and assisted officers with the apprehension and prosecution of these residents and their associates.

# Education 

The educational piece of this project provided the most insight for all participants involved in solving the problem. It required flexibility and creativity from the police officers, community members, and other city departments. In addition, the project illuminated areas of concern in regards to communication of all involved participants as well as areas to be improved when addressing community problems. For example, Community Resource Officer Dave Snelling researched and produced an affidavit for public seizure of 5129 Iris Street under the "nuisance" statute. The affidavit was presented to the district attorney's office for review and, subsequently, declined.

The community proceeded with their civil cases. Originally, ten neighbors had individually filed small claims actions against the owner/primary resident of 5129 Iris Street totaling seventy-five thousand dollars ( $\$ 75,000.00$ ). The remainder of the community decided not to file a suit against the residents for fear of retaliation. Two of the ten individuals dropped their suit against the owner stating it was for personal

reasons. However, these members did continue to support the other eight neighbors in their suit.

This portion of the response was extremely effective for the community members. Current research from mental health professionals examining outcomes from the Columbine shooting in Colorado and the Oklahoma bombing reveal that victims who survive traumatic events need to experience a trial. With the Oklahoma bombing, the survivors and their families were able to focus on arrest, trial, and execution, thereby providing a sense of closure. Those victims and their families from the Columbine High School shooting were never given that opportunity as the perpetrators carried out their own trial and execution. According to one health professional, "This, in effect, makes for a very litigious community" (National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, March 2002). Individuals then look to find another where they can lay blame, which is currently happening with those involved in the Columbine shooting.

On March 28, 2002, the community members were able to present their case in civil court in Jefferson County, Colorado. Judge Livingston heard the case, affording all community members the opportunity to speak on their own behalf. The community elected one member to speak for the group, with other members adding information as needed. The community's statements, documentation and photographs, as well as the lengthy timeline provided Judge Livingston enough overwhelming evidence to issue a ruling in favor of the community members. The eight members were awarded the maximum amount of 57,500.00 each for a total judgment against the owner of 5129 Iris Street of $\$ 60,000.00$. This case was the first of its kind presented in Colorado civil court and a tremendous sense of victory for the community as they felt they had finally been heard.

# Partnership 

In the analysis stage of the problem, it was identified that there were several other departments and agencies who were working to resolve their portion of the problem. However, the communication was bottlenecked between each department and agency. For example, code enforcement had identified this house as a problem. The owner refused to comply with city ordinances. The owner was issued several summonses to appear in court, clean up his property, and conform to city code.

Another illustration involved animal control. Animal wardens had responded to the 5129 Iris Street address repeatedly for animal cruelty and neglect. Two families had originally reported the abuse in 1997. According to other neighbors, the owner/resident had threatened to retaliate against the two neighbors. The result was both neighbors moved from the community due to their fear of retribution from the owner/residents at 5129 Iris Street. Animal wardens eventually removed the animals from the house. However, the owner quickly acquired several other animals, fish, birds, and reptiles.

Additionally, the City Of Arvada's water department had shut off the water and sewer to 5129 Iris Street several times. The owner wrote insufficient fund checks to the city. The owner also reconnected the water and replaced the city's lock with his own.

Finally, Xcel Energy had disconnected the electricity and heat to the residence in June, September, and November 2001. The residence was completely disconnected from the utility pole in November 2001 to prevent the owner from reconnecting the services. In addition, Xcel Energy informed the community members that when the owner/resident illegally reconnects his utilities the entire neighborhood pays for his services.

Therefore, Officer Charles identified key individuals in each department and agency in order to establish consistent lines of communication. Information was shared between groups to further enforcement action for all departments and agencies, whether disconnecting services, issuing summons, or developing criminal cases.

Furthermore, contacts were developed in the county public trustee's office, the district attorney's office, the attorneys involved in the foreclosure of the residence. Each partnership provided supplementary education to respond to this problem. All key-person contacts benefited from the communication in order to advance their ability to solve each aspect of the problem.

# ASSESSMENT: 

The review of this project provided insight into areas not previously expected. Once the problem was identified as the 5129 Iris Street residence and the occupants living there, the main goal was to remove the occupants from the area or encourage those occupants to become law-abiding citizens who chose to live according to the community's standards. Throughout the analysis and response portion, it became apparent that the occupants and owner of this residence made a clear decision to stand outside the laws, guidelines, and ordinances of this community. According to one resident, "they (the residents) owned this neighborhood". This problem clearly illustrated the definition of a prolonged traumatic event.

The evaluation of this project demonstrated that we were most effective when we listened to the community members as to what was occurring on their block and empathized with the neighbors regarding their concerns for safety. Dr. Joseph Miller, Assistant Vice President, F.E.G.S., New York (National Conference of Community Behavioral Healthcare, March, 2002), said that community mental health is moving towards a "grass roots work" of organizing communities. This is comparable to community policing as well. The true philosophy of community policing is a psychoeducational model that involves partnering with communities, educating and facilitating members on how to enhance their lives and their safety, and then moving away, allowing the community to function on its own.

Officer Charles identified several key points in the project that allowed it to conclude successfully. These same concepts were acknowledged recently at the National

Council of Community Behavioral Healthcare (Communities in Crisis, March 2002). These points illustrate how to empower communities to function effectively.

- Identify leadership in community
- Listen to needs of individuals; Don't assume
- Don't be the expert; Be the facilitator
- Identify and maximize resources

When implementing the response, communication became the key to solving the problem. Collaborating with other agencies, departments, community members, and other police officers involved discussing everyone's needs to remove the problem. As simple as this concept was, communication became a barrier as well in executing a response. There were several times when the project ran into a brick wall due to bureaucratic red tape or miscommunication. This required all participants to review areas where there needed to be improvement or a change in procedure or direction.

Another problem implementing the response is the unusual components identified in the analysis stage; the location of the residence, the resident as the owner of the home, the duration of the event, and the variety of ongoing problems involving many departments all frustrated efforts to stop the distress created by this problem. In addition, the retaliation from the residents and owner at 5129 Iris Street was extremely unusual. It is typical to have the offending residents quickly remove themselves from a neighborhood after being identified as the problem when executing a "Safe Streets" project. Finally, this owner/resident was tremendously effective in using the various systems to his advantage, whether it involved re-connecting his utilities or playing against our abilities to efficiently communicate amongst the different organizations and departments.

However, the project was successful on a variety of levels. First, the community felt empowered to "take back their neighborhood". Secondly, the police department and the various city departments gained a clearer understanding of the far-reaching effects of problem properties, to include the mental distress experienced by community members when they feel "attacked" at their homes. This understanding fostered the City Of Arvada to develop a "task force" involving all city departments to help identify properties before the situation escalates to the proportions of this project.

The results of the health survey (Appendix B) presented to the community revealed an interesting picture of the effects from the prolonged stress from this community problem. Twenty-three members completed the survey. Seventy-eight percent (78\%) of the population suffered changes in sleep patterns. Eighty-seven percent ( $87 \%$ ) stated that their perception of their personal safety had changed negatively. Finally, $87 \%$ to $78 \%$ of the community experienced emotional and behavioral changes resulting from the stress endured in this prolonged, traumatic event. These percentages plead the case that when addressing community problems, community policing must provide a unified partnership with the community members as well as other departments and agencies to attack these

problems immediately and effectively, thereby lessening the distress to the community members.

The community's success was apparent with the complete drop in calls for service as well as observed criminal activity. At the time of submittal, the residents were jailed for a total of eight felonies involving possession of schedule H controlled substance, possession of a deadly weapon, intimidation of witness/victim, child abuse. The residence was posted as a "dangerous building" and the city was in the process of boarding up all access to the home. We await the decision of the bankruptcy courts to determine when the house will sell. Finally, the community members have established friendships with each other and will take it upon themselves to "welcome and interview" all potential home owners of 5129 Iris Street.

# AGENCY AND OFFICER INFORMATION: 

This problem was initially identified at the community level, at which time it was brought to the attention of Community Resource Officer Ginger Charles. Our police agency is well versed in problem-oriented policing and encourages its use among all employees. However, the Community Resource Unit Officers are considered the police officers with the primary role of comprehensive community problem solving.

The resources and guidelines used for this project came directly from the "Safe Streets Now" concept and the police department's coordinator, Detective Marcie Vermilye. Detective Vermilye was instrumental in assisting Officer Charles with this project as she provided insight and guidance using the outline of the program.

One of the most glaring difficulties in implementing effective enforcement with the agency's response was the lack of staffing. Overtime incentives were provided to officers to work on the block, increasing engagement and expertise to address criminal activity. However, the leadership of the organization influenced the response from the patrol division. Sergeants and command staff believed in the project and imparted their beliefs to the troops. Again, communication at all levels cemented the effectiveness of the project.

CONTACT PERSON:
Officer Ginger Charles
Community Resource Unit
Arvada Police Department
8101 Ralston Rd.
Arvada, CO 80002
303.431 .3056

Fax 303. 463.6890
Email GCHARLES@ci.arvadaco.us

# APPENDIX A 

Timeline created by Susan Land, Ph.D.
Reflecting criminal events occurring on 5100 block of Iris Street
Arvada, Colorado

|  No arrests | No charges issued  |
| --- | --- |
|  Cliff Langdon, Held/ |   |
|  Smothermon, | Cliff Langdon, Held/  |
|  (DOB 08116160); | Smothermon;  |
|  argument & throwing | verbal argument  |
|  things |   |
|  911 Welfare Check | Disturbance Call  |
|  APO # 97-18612 | APO # 97-20445  |
|   | 08/09/97  |

|  PLANT | PROPER |   |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  LEGEND | Phone Report Information regarding 5129 his St | 5129 his St APO # 98.31959  |
|  Date of Occurrence | 1218 |   |
|  Incident Information | Contacted Fred Dopp (DOB 09/21/59) about possible drug use at ex-wife's, Loryanne Walker, residence | 5129 his St 09111188  |
|  Surveillance Information |  |   |
|  Intelligence Information |  |   |
|  Break Between Years | Children advised Fred of Marijuana & drug paraphernalia in mother's bedroom |   |
|  Prepared for Officer Ginger Charles, Arvada Police Department by Susan P. Land, Crime-Knidyk, Arvada Police Department, January, 2002 | Information passed on to Special Investigations Unit (SW) |   |

|  1218 |  |   |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  Domestic Disturbance |  |   |
|  5129 his St APO # 98.31917 |  |   |
|  Distraught female calls APO states "mother & mother's boyfriend were arguing" |  |   |
|  Officers contact Loryanne Walker & Cliff Langdon about verbal argument |  |   |
|  Langdon transported to Lutheran Hospital after threatening suicide |  |   |
|  Case cleared without incident |  |   |

EVENTS R L : ED TO:
5129 IRIS' ST., ARVADA, CO
CLIFFORD L ANGOON, 008 01117153
LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08/10161
Pages 2

No arrests

C. Langdon &
L. Walker contacted;
verbal argument only

Neighbors report
loud argument; unable
to see if verbal or
physical

Domestic Disturbance
APO # 99-18398

~4101100 D

Phone Report
First Degree Criminal
Trespass (FDC1)
APD # 00.8745

L. Walker reports clients'
residence keys (fish tank
cleaning business) taken
from her 1985 Jeep Cherokee

Theft
APD # 00-36286

L. Walker reports her checks
& one of C. Langdon's checks
stolen

*Tract Grasser,* Dab 05125/67,
returned Walker's driver's
license that had disappeared
at the same time as the
checks

Comnip Schmidt,
DOB 12105172 ARRESTED
after admitting to stealing the
checks & driver's license
for *Jacqueline Granaas,*
DOB 4122165, to use for forging
documents

Graeser, Schmidt
acquaintances of Walker,
Graeser, Schmidt, Granaas
have Criminal Drug Histories

EVEN'1 S RELATED TO:
5129 IRIS S'1"4AN,VADA, Co
CLIFFORD LAN GO N DOB 0717153
LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110/61
1-aq.s 3

No arrests

L. Walker would not
allow *DesMarais* to
pickup TV; asked him
to leave; he complied

iL. Walker reports
*Gary DesMarais* (former
tenant - evicted),
DOB 07103186, was at
residence to pickup TV

Trespass Complaint
5129 Iris St
APD it 01-4206

*DesMarais* has
multi-state Criminal
Drug History

Officer is dispatched
to 5129 Iris St shortly
after receiving information;
later informs SW

Namilton believes the
neighbors deal) regdrugs
& possibly running meth
lab

Deb Hamilton, neigh bo
reports suspicious
activity at 5129 Iris St

No arrests

C. Langdon & L. Walker
contacted about verbal
argument

Domestic Disturbance
APD #01-10197

SIB advises Patrol of
possible drug activity at:
5129 Iris St

After advisory on 04112101,
Officer informs SIB of case
APD #00-36286 <sup>12131100</sup>

Vehicle #3: Colorado
Plate 19918XD
Registered to Ken
Nethken

Vehicle #2: Colorado
Plate SY11754
No record of registration

Vehicle #1: dray Chev Van
Colorado Plate 911ALF
Registered to Robert Rath
(Rath has Criminal Drug
History)

Detective observes
several vehicles in
front of 5129 Iris St

1430 hrs

06/05/01

06/14/01

Xcel Energy shuts off
utilities at 5129 Iris St

EVENT'S' RILATEo Tor
512 9 IRIS ST., ARVADA,CO
CLIFFORD LANGDON, D00 01/17153
LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110/61
Page 4

Caller.states teenagers
live there but are away
for the summer

APD Secretary receives
anonymous call that
C. Langdon is selling
drugs out of his home
at 5129 Iris St

07/09/01

07/13/01

1430 hrs

Detective observes
vehicles at 5129 Iris St

Vehicle #1:1985 Chev
Colorado Plate ZAP54QD
Registered to Jose Andaz Pla

Vehicle #2: Silver Nissan
Colorado Plate 8700XX
Registered to Elizabeth Oaks &
Steven Darfee
Vehicle left at 1510 tars

Alike Kealoha ARRESTED
an outstanding warrants out
of Jefferson County

Officers.contact Langdon
& Alika Kealoha (DOD
8130180); request consent
to search residence & camper
Langdon refuses

Thomas Walker (ex-friend of
Langdon & ex-nusband of
L. Walker) reported Langdon
is manufacturing
methamphetamine in his house
or camper parked at house

Officer advises 81U that
at 1530 hrs, he responded
to 8129ids St, reference
narcotics Information
=APD #01-21462)

08/09/01

06/09/01

# ANTS' RELATED TO.

5129 RIS 57., ARVADA, CO

CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOB 01117153

LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110161

Page 5

|  Detective observes male exit 5129 Iris St, enter vehicle, drive around the block 8 leave the area | |
| --- | --- |
|  Vehicle is parked facing wrong direction in front of driveway, several feet from curb | |
|  Vehicle: White station wagon; Temporary license 68687P No record, of registration | |
|  Detective observes a vehicle in front of 5129 Iris St | |

Neighbors provide a list of plates to vehicles that were at 5129 IF S St from 08101101 to 08/0710:

- **Detective:** Speaks with several neighbors, who noted short term activity at all hours at 5129 Iris St
- **Neighbors provide a list of plates to vehicles that were at 5129 IF S St from 08101101 to 08/0710:**

- **Detective:** Speaks with several neighbors, who noted short term activity at all hours at 5129 Iris St
- **Neighbors provide a list of plates to vehicles that were at 5129 IF S St from 08101101 to 08/0710:**

- **Detective received information from DEA that, on 07/10101, S vedlund purchased chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine**

08/07/01

Detectives, contacts Tom Walker about previously reported information about possible drug activity at 5129 Iris St

Search warrant obtained for 5129 Iris St; executed on 08/23/01

EVEN SR.A ELT TO
5929 IRIS ST., ARVADA, CO
CLIFFORD I ANGDON, DOB 01!97159
1-1]RYANNE WALKER, DOB 08/10181
Page 6

Surveillance of 6129
Iris St begins 5940 hrs
1820 hrs Jefferson County SWAT team
exacutes warrant to search 6129 Iris St
1820 hrs Jefferson County SWAT team
exacutes warrant to search 6129 Iris St
West Metro Drug Task Force searches 6129
his St; items found: haggles, scales, drug
paraphernalia, haggle of white powder-
negative test for controlled substances
West Metro Drug Task Force searches 6129
his St; items found: haggles, scales, drug
paraphernalia, haggle of white powder-
negative test for controlled substances
1640 hrs Detectives observe motorcycle
make u-turn In driveway; contact with
driver is attempted
1640 hrs van leaves & is
stopped at W. 49 Avl
Independence St; driver
Marjorie Grinstead+ DOB
02111176; passenger Loryanne
Walker, both ARRESTED
After Detective Identifies himself & shows
his badge, driver accelerates directly toward
Detective who must jump out of the way to
avoid being hit
Prior to arrival of SWAT, C.
Langdon leaves residence In
his vehicle; later stopped by
Patrol; ARRESTED
Motorcyclist flees scene; pulled over on
traffic stop; flees again; 16 mile pursuit
ensues; ends when driver surrenders
ARRESTED: Sean Derbin, DOB 09107/88
Criminal History

Langdon & Walker interviewed
at Arvada Police Department

L. Walker admits using
methamphetamine; had
ingredient list for manufacturing
methamphetamine

C. Langdon admits he & Loryanne
sell drugs out of the house, about
$200.00 of methamphetamine per
week

Langdon & Walker released
pending charges

L. Langdon admits he & Loryanne
sell drugs out of the house, about
$200.00 of methamphetamine per
week

Langdon & Walker released
pending charges

# EVENTS RELATED TO:

**5129 IRIS ST., ARVADA CO**

**CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOB 01117153**

**LORYAHNE WALKER, DOB 08110161**

**Page 7**

|  Langdon tells Officer that Loryanne's daughter is still at the residence being watched by two adult males | Officers contact C. Langdon & Wayne Eugene Wilson, DOB 0208168 (Multi-State Criminal) & C. Langdon ARRESTED at 5129 Iris St on outstanding warrants for Blight in Arvada & a dangerous drugs charge in Arapahoe County | Wilson states the only thing he did this morning was walk a female friend to her car around 0500 hrs  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  |   |   |

**Xcel Energy shuts off utilities at 5129 Iris St, 1 second time**

**Search Warrant**

**00/11/01**

**X09121101**

**Officers contact C. Langdon & Wayne Eugene Wilson, DOB 0208168 (Multi-State Criminal) & C. Langdon ARRESTED at 5129 Iris St on outstanding warrants for Blight in Arvada & a dangerous drugs charge in Arapahoe County**

**Willeon states the only thing he did this morning was walk a female friend to her car around 0500 hrs**

**Officer contacts Wayne Wilson & advises that he is a suspect in FDCT at 5135 Iris St**

**1330 hrs Officer contacts D. Hamilton, 5135 Iris St, about possible suspect for the FDCT sitting on porch at 5129 Iris St**

**Traffic Complaints Related to 5129 Iris St APD #01-27693**

**Six neighbors advise Officer that several vehicles stop at 5129 Iris St for about ten minutes & then leave the area**

**City of Arvada turns off water for non-payment at 5129 Iris St**

# E111TS' -RELATED 1A
5129 IRIS ST., AR VADA, CO
CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOS 01117/53
LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110161

They noticed *Wayne Wilson* sitting in the passenger seat of a van next door; *Wilson* exits vehicle & starts yelling at *Pineau & Hamilton*.

*Pineau* advises that later in afternoon on 1W19101, she & D. Hamilton were in front of 5135 Irk St.

Officer returns to 5143 Irk St to contact *Angela Pineau* reference FDCT on 10/19/01 (APD #01-29348).

## 10128591

### 1200 hrs Criminal Mischief to D. Hamilton's vehicle
5135 Iris St
APD #0130214

Hamilton was distraught, stating to Officer window had just been replaced 10126101.

Hamilton advises prior to window being broken, *Langdon* was outside talking to *Wayne Wilson* (in small vehicle) & another male (in orange/white international Scout).

*Hamilton* saw both vehicles leave & that her car window was broken; when she went outside, Langdon ran inside 5129 Iris St.

### 1400 hrs Officer Is at 5135 Iris St talking to *D. Hamilton* when *L. Walker* calls *Hamilton*; Officer listens to conversation on phone extension.

*Walker* tells Hamilton that the resulting damage to *Hamilton's* vehicle was direct result of *Hamilton* calling the Police on residents at 5129 Iris St.

Walker continues to yell at *Hamilton* that if *Hamilton* continues to call Police & "harass", "they" will continue to "cause trouble" for Hamilton.

Hamilton asks *Walker* if she is threatening her; *Walker* repeats what she just said.

### 1830 hrs Hamilton phones
Officer to advise about a situation that occurred earlier in the evening.

*Langdon* had approached Hamilton & verbally threatened her safety.

Later, *Hamilton* & *Angela Pineau* went to McDonald's where they saw *Langdon's* truck in parking lot.

*Hamilton* called for a Police escort home; after returning home, Langdon drove up immediately after the Officer left the area.

### Criminal Mischief - Vehicle
5135 Iris St
APD #01-30619

0415 hrs Driver's side window on D. Hamilton's vehicle is shattered again.

Hamilton had a video camera in front window of house to record suspect(s) damaging her car.

Officer viewed tape; small compact vehicle (similar to *Wayne Wilson's* vehicle, 5129 Iris St) traveling southbound on Iris St with passenger hanging out window; passenger wearing bag, with eye holes cut out, over head.

### Harassment Complaint
5135 Iris St
API #01-30744

2111 hrs Deb & John Hamilton advise Officer that *C. Langdon* followed John northbound on independence St.

*Langdon* was "right on his tail", "tailgating, pushing him along"; concerned for his safety John pulled into a busy parking lot.

VNTS ROLATED TO
5129 IRIS ST., ARVADA, CO
CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOB 011171531
LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110/61
Page 9

Syringe logged into
evidence

Officer field tests liquid in
syringe, positive for
methanmphetamine

1400 hrs Syringe found
In front of 6129 Iris St

Found Property
APD #01-30824

Suspicious Person
5129 Iris St
APD #01-30924

2230 hrs D. Hamilton states that C.
Langdon was standing near his vehicle,
looking down the street through some
kind of "scope"; thinks a narcotic
transaction is about to take place

Officers observe Langdon & another
male walking north from W. 61
Place "toward 6129 Iris St"

Officers contact Langdon & Billy
Steve Laverne Smith (Criminal History),
DOB 06126176; Smith ARRESTED; Possession
Schedule 11 Controlled Substance, Possession
Drug Paraphernalia, outstanding warrant from
Arapahoe County In regard to dangerous
Drugs ($60,000 bond)

Meat; did not know where
Danielle's parents (L. Walker
& C. Langdon) were; Danielle
stayed with Pineau for about
one hour until her parents
returned

At about 1800 hrs, Pineau saw
Danielle standing on the porch.......
of her home. 5129 Iris St, crying;
also appeared to be cold & wet
as it was iralning

Angela: Menu, 5143 Iris St
advises. Officer of incident
Involving Danielle Walker,
DO1310126193

Xoel Energy returns to 6129
Iris St to disconnect service
from the pole

0811 hrs Officers attempt to contact
L. Walker & C. Langdon at 6129 Iris St
In reference to warrants for their arrests

C. Langdon ARRESTED without incident;
states that L. Walker is at 3926 Parfet
St, Wheat Ridge

L. Walker ARRESTED; Danielle
Walker transported to APD

Information obtained from Danielle:
She did not have breakfast; did not know why she
was not in school; sometimes misses school if she
misses the bus or no one to drive her, was not cold
even though she was wearing shorts & sleeveless
shirt after a snowfall; confirmed incident on
11107101; does not eat regularly at home; sometimes
run out of food; a Tot of yelling & crying when Cliff
& Loryanne are fighting at home

L. Walker charged with Child Abuse
reference child neglect

E-IFNT 1 R1;LATEO' Ot
5129 1RIS'ST., ARVADA, CO
CLIFFORD LANGOON, DOB 01/17153
LO RYAN NE 1A114LKER, DOB 0811016/

Langdon ARRESTED on outstanding warrant, out of Arvada Municipal Court, for Failure to Appear charge of causing Blight

Deb Hamilton, 5135 Iris St, advises that Cliff Langdon yelled at her & threatened her

Harassment
5129 Iris St
APD #01-35319

12/15/01

Cliff Langdon served with Civil papers for Small Claims Court (APD #01-36165)

CITN Langdon ARRESTED on warrant for second Failure to Appear on charge of Blight (APD #01-56064)

12/23/01

Loryanne Walker ARRESTED on warrant for Failure to Appear on charge of Child Abuse (APD #02-223)

**EVENTS RELATED TO:**

**5129 IRIS ST., ARVADA, CO**

**CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOB 01/17/53**

**LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 081/0/61**

**Page 11**

|  Hermitton | Alacall are very upset; afraid Cliff Langdon will make methamphetamine  |
| --- | --- |
|  Deb Hamilton; 5135 Ids St & Angela Pineau; 5143 Iris St, call Officer to advise; another trailer VIN moved intodriveway at 5129 Iris St | District Attorney declines charges against Langdon, Walker, or Theft by Receiving; insufficient evidence that Langdon & Walker know the trailers were stolen  |

**01/28/02**

**Attempt To Locate Wanted Subject**

|  Cliff Langdon has active warrant for Dangerous Drugs | |
| --- | --- |
|  Langdon not at home (5129 Iris St) | |

**APD If 02-2766 & # 02.2761**

Two trailers removed from driveway at 5129 Iris St; one trailer stolen, one trailer VIN had been removed

|  Cliff Langdon ARRESTED on Drug Warrant & Theft by Receiving | |
| --- | --- |
|  Loryanne Walker ARRESTED on Obstructing Police & Theft by Receiving | |

**APD # 02-3699**

Loryanne Walker ARRESTED for Possession of Schedule II & Schedule IV Drugs and Special Offender Possession of Illegal Weapon

# EVENTS RELATED TO:

5129 IRIS ST., ARVADA, CO

CLIFFORD L. ANGDON, DAD 01117153

LORYANNE WALKER, DOE 08/10161

Page 12

|  While in court, C. Langdon ARRESTED on Warrant for Intimidating a Witness (APD #01-30020) | Notice removed by unknown subjects; no response from home | Traffic Stop made; Angela Sharp, DOS 06106162, ARRESTED on two warrants Assault & Bribery (APD)  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  C. Langdon appears in Jefferson County Court an drug case from 09/21101 (APD #01-26314) | Animal Control again responds to 6129 Iris St to check on animals | Neighbors report three subjects in Camara loading items from 6129 Iris St  |
|  02/05/02 | 02/10/02 | 02/10/02  |
|  Animal Control posts 72 hour notice about welfare of pets in home at 6129 Iris St |  | 02/12/02  |
|   | Three subjects enter 6129 Iris St & alert neighbor to poor conditions of animals | Animal Control completes warrant to remove animals at 6129 Iris St  |

**LEGEND**

- Data of Occurrence
- Incident Intimation
- Surveillance Information
- Intelligence Information
- Break Between Years

Prepared for Officer Mager Charlez, Arvada Police Department by Susan P. Land, Crime Analyst, Arvada Police Department, January 2002

Page 11 4 12 prepared on 02126102

Neighbor states she called Police; subjects leave quickly

Evidence that rear door at 6129 Iris St was broken in

C Langdon & L. Walker in jail at this time

**EVENTS RELATED TO:**

**5129 IRIS ST., ARVAOAs; CO**

**CLIFFORD LANGDON, DOB°Oh117153,**

**LORYANNE WALKER, DOB 08110161**

**Page 13**

|  While in Jail, Langdon served notice |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 

# REFERENCE 

Goldstein, Herman. 1990. Problem-Oriented Policing. New York: McGraw Hill, Inc. Jefferson Center for Mental Health. Columbine Connections. March 2002. Littleton, CO. National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare 2002. Training conference: . Lessons for Providers: Practical Learning in New York and Colorado, Chicago, IL. Wetzel, M. 1989. Safe Streets Now. Community Policing Program. Oakland, CA.