CHAFFEE RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT POLICE

CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Police Department has been a little more aware of cracking down on drunken drivers since late December, when the son of one of its officers was killed by an alleged intoxicated driver.

The question of whether the officers have been cracking down too hard was brought before the Chaffee City Council Monday night.

About 12 Chaffee residents complained at the meeting about harassments they feel they've endured at the hands of some Chaffee police officers.

They complained of officers waiting for them as they left local bars, writing down license plates of bar patrons, laying in wait for them at their homes, and belligerent attitudes by younger officers.

Tom Leible, owner of Frisco's Bar, told councilmen that he was afraid people would stop coming to the town because of the reputation the police are getting.

"If this continues, this town is going to dry up," Leible said. His bar has been in operation for just over a month, and Leible said business has been down the last two weeks. "People are afraid to come to Chaffee," he said.

Leible said other business owners were supposed to be at the meeting with him to voice similar concerns.

Chaffee Police Chief Keith Carr, who has been with the department since September, said his officers have not been running plates in parking lots. Nor are they targeting the bars in town for special patrols during the weekends, he said.

"There's no reason for us to be running plates," Carr said. "What would we gain by knowing who these people are?"

Citizens complained at the meeting about officers following them from the bars to their homes or stopping them without cause and without issuing a ticket.

Carr said his officers will stop a car if they have sufficient cause.

He said the bars are located along the main roads in town. He has extra officers on during the weekends who work traffic in those areas. Carr said that is why many residents believe the bars are being targeted.

Carr said DWI laws have changed over the years and enforcement has become stricter. He said in December when 16-year-old Joda Griggs was killed by an alleged drunken driver that the department was going to crack down on DWIs. He also said at the time that he didn't feel like that was going to go over well.

"We have stepped up our DWI enforcement some since then. Our overall arrests have not increased that much; we're just looking harder for them," Carr said. "I think a lot of this is backlash because of the public's attitude about DWI."

Carr said he is trying to set up a seminar at the VFW hall to educate the public on DWI laws and enforcement.

Councilman Ron Davis said he believes the chief should have the chance to resolve the matter before the council steps in.

Councilman Don Crowe said he thinks a special meeting should be called to hear both sides. "I'm sure we'll find some things that aren't right and some things that have got a reason to happen."