Public Safety Commission  
Meeting Minutes  
Thursday, January 2, 2025  
3:00 PM  
Castle Rock Municipal Courtroom  
100 Perry St., Castle Rock, CO 80104  
This meeting is open to the public. Please note that all times indicated on the agenda are approximate and  
interested parties are encouraged to be present earlier than the posted time.  
The Public Safety Commission meets monthly at the Town of Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Headquarters or the  
Police Department.  
Call to Order and Attendance  
Chairperson Marsh called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.  
Guests - Becca Schnorr - Castle Rock Youth Commission Coordinator  
4 - Andy Powell, Steve Thayer, Trevor Knotts, and Robert Dziubla  
Present  
Not Present  
Attendance  
1 - Richard Morton  
3 - Jack Cauley, Norris Croom, and Kim Stremel  
Approval of Meeting Minutes  
PS 2024-036  
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - December 5, 2024  
Attachments: PSC12.05.2024 Minutes  
Ms. Van Court moved to approve the December 5, 2024 minutes. Mr. Dzuibla  
seconded the motion; the motion carried.  
7 - Hammelman, Powell, Thayer, Van Court, Marsh, Knotts, and Dziubla  
Yes:  
1 - Morton  
Not Present:  
PS 2024-037  
CRFD November Report  
Attachments: CRFD November Report  
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Chief Croom provided a recap of storm that occurred on New Year’s Eve  
on I-25. CRPD responded to provide assistance as numerous Larkspur fire  
apparatus were damaged. CDOT opened the roadway around 0430 on  
New Year’s Day.  
Hiring Updates  
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Accreditation Manager: The job description was updated,  
which resulted in the removal of the Emergency Manager  
duties. Interviews were conducted and a conditional offer  
has been extended to a candidate who is in backgrounds.  
Fire Mechanic: small group of applications were received  
from applicants who possessed the needed qualifications.  
Continuing to recruit and hire laterals, as well as new  
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firefighters, for the remaining open positions.  
The weather has been very dry and we went under red flag fire conditions  
on Monday. The County Commissioners are providing funding for a  
contracted helicopter to be available on an as needed basis. This service  
has been made available to all municipalities in Douglas County should  
there be a fire event.  
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2024 statistics: There were 7,068 calls in 2024, making this the  
department’s second busiest year.  
Commission Member Dzuibla inquired about terminology in the monthly  
report. Chief Croom provided definitions for:  
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“Service in Nature” calls - this identifies what type of call it  
is: alarm reset, vehicle lockouts, stuck elevator, etc.  
“Good intent calls” - when a person believes that they have  
seen something and report it (e.g., smoke sighting)  
“Bail out training” - all CRFD firefighters are trained to  
self-evacuate from a building with the use of a bail out kit.  
·
Chief Croom was asked about the majority of calls being cardiac arrest  
related. He explained that while there are a number of cardiac calls, only  
about 1% medical. The fire department tracks successful saves and  
CRFD’s save rate in 2023 was 18%, while the national average was 9%.  
In 2024, the save rate rose to 20%. It should be noted that since CRPD  
carries and deploys AEDs prior to a medic unit arrival, survival rates tend  
to improve.  
PS 2024-038  
CRPD November Report  
Attachments: CRPD November Report  
·
·
Chief Cauley shared a revised copy of the police department’s November  
monthly. A corrected version was provided due to misinformation in the  
crime statistic section.  
The department continues to see decreases in motor vehicle thefts due to  
technology that is used by dispatch and police officers. License plate  
readers and staff’s use of technology improves success in catching stolen  
vehicles and the occupants. Colorado is no longer the state with the  
highest average of motor vehicle thefts as of 2024.  
·
The police department will open another hiring process within the next  
couple of weeks. New hires who attend the police academy in July, will be  
ready for the street in late 2025 or early 2026.  
·
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CRPD has one new recruit starting the police academy in January.  
The policing profession, in general, is experiencing challenges in hiring  
qualified personnel. CRPD would rather have a vacancy rather than just  
hire an applicant who may not be a good fit for the department and  
community.  
·
This same type of challenge is occurring with dispatcher recruitments. A  
dispatcher hiring process is difficult because you can’t always identify the  
necessary skills needed by an applicant, with no experience, through an  
interview alone. Their abilities are known once they are hired and in  
training.  
·
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Chief Cauley meets with each department member individually annually, so  
he is nearing completion of all 1:1 meetings.  
Commission Member Van Court inquired what steps does CRPD take to  
prevent tragedies like the ones that occurred in Germany, New Orleans  
and Las Vegas? Chief Cauley explained that operation plans are  
developed for community events and key personnel are strategically placed  
within the events. The police department also partners with public works to  
use their vehicles to block pedestrian walkways and roadways. As always,  
CRPD relies on technology such as cameras and drones. The Chief also  
explained that staff is constantly reviewing information from the intelligence  
community.  
·
Colorado House Bill 21-1110 (accessibility to government information  
technology) - CRPD and CRFD are working with Town communications to  
maintain the highest levels of transparency possible, however, the current  
publishing software has proven to be prohibitive. Staff is seeking  
alternatives that will allow departmental information to be shared in a timely  
manner.  
New Business  
Volunteer Fire Pension - this plan through FPPA requires two (2) Public  
Safety Commission members serve on the board. The board experienced  
a vacancy in May; Commission Member Laurie Van Court volunteered to fill  
the open position. This matter passed, by a vote, without objection (6-0).  
Commission Member Van Court abstained.  
·
Chief Croom will advise the pension board president of Ms. Van Court’s  
appointment.  
Introduction of Becca Schnorr - Youth Commission Coordinator  
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The Youth Commission consists of nine members initially appointed with  
staggered terms so that four are appointed for one-year terms and five are  
appointed with two-year terms. Thereafter, Commissioners will be  
appointed to two-year terms.  
The Youth Commission will serve in an advisory capacity to the Town  
Council. In addition to this advisory role, the Youth Commission will have  
the following duties: involvement, communication, engagement and  
recognition.  
Applications are open May through August 2025.  
Old Business  
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Commission Member Dzuibla reported a reply was received from  
Assistant Town Attorney K. Parker stating the Town Clerk’s office  
determined the Commission can make the recommended change from  
“powers” to “purpose” in Article 1 of the Public Safety bylaws. It will now  
read, "The purpose of the Public Safety Commission is to advise the  
Town Council...".  
Commission Member Dzuibla made a motion in favor of the change;  
Commission Member Van Court seconded. This matter passed, by a vote,  
without objection (7-0).  
·
Staff will take necessary actions to update and publish the bylaws.  
Commissioner Comments and Questions  
Adjourn  
Ms. Van Court made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Dzuibla seconded the  
motion. All were in favor.  
The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 p.m.  
The next Public Safety Commission meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2025 at  
the Police Department.