BENNETT, Colo. — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has stopped responding to certain calls in the town of Bennett, after the city was unable to reach an agreement with the department to continue emergency services.
Previously, Adams County deputies had responded to emergency calls in the northern part of the town, which sits in Adams County, with Arapahoe County deputies responding to calls in the southern portion, which is in Arapahoe County.
Beginning on March 1, the Adams County portion is only receiving a response from deputies for emergencies.
Since March 1, records show nine calls to 911 have been referred to the town, with callers being asked to call Town Hall instead. Those calls included:
- three calls to perform a well-being check
- a traffic complaint
- a suspicious incident
- a theft
- an alarm call
- an attempt to contact
- a call about a drunk individual.
“The Adams County Sheriff’s Office will only respond to calls for service made through traditional 9-1-1 calls to protect the lives and property of the Town of Bennett citizens in fulfilling our statutory obligations," Sgt. Adam Sherman, an Adams County Sheriff's Office spokesman, said. "All other complaints and non-emergency requests for police contact should be directed to the Town of Bennett Staff and Board of Trustees.”
Bennett Town Manager Trish Stiles said she still hasn’t been given specifics on what’s being considered an emergency situation.
“We have not been given a direct answer,” Stiles said. “My understanding is he [Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps] dictated some protocol to his staff in a meeting, but we don’t have that information as to what that protocol is.”
Stiles said they’re currently in contract negotiations with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to take over patrols in the entire town, including the portion in Adams County.
That contract isn’t expected to begin until May.
Community Service Officers will respond to 911 calls that are referred back to the town, but only after checking the town’s voicemail with information.
In the meantime, Stiles said don’t be afraid to call 911 if you have a real emergency.
“I want our residents to know if they have an urgent and pressing situation, any of those calls need to be directed to 9-1-1," Stiles said. "We fully anticipate the sheriff will do his statutory duties in responding to those calls.”
ADAMS COUNTY: Road damaged in flooding 8 months ago is still in ruins
MANDATORY JAIL TIME: Aurora ordinance would make jail time mandatory for most retail theft convictions
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS