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Updated: 11:21 PM Nov 2, 2008
Response Times Worry Deputies, Sheriff Says 1A Needs To Pass
Sheriff Terry Maketa said if 1A doesn't pass, deputy response times to emergencies could double, even triple. He said right now, the average response time is 20 minutes. Posted: 10:53 PM Nov 2, 2008Reporter: Lauri Martin Email Address: lmartin@kktv.com |
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31 Comments 
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In response to Anno another person affraid to give their name. If you would like to see how I do my job on the road, come ask for a ride along just dont close your eyes when things get rough and I have to go stop people from harming one another. It is not a police officers job to sit and watch two people harm one another no matter what they are charged with. I protect those in my custody as stated in my job description. So if it was your way, I guess I would let a murder beat on you until it was safe to cuff him? I dont think so. I would protect you even though u spit on my name and my profession. Thank you but I will continue to put my life on the line for the citizens no matter race creed or obnoxious thought processes.
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well the true leadership is about to come out. Maketa and his lack of leadership is going to cost us more than 1 percent. Huntz I bet you never spent one day on the road. If you had road experience you would let the two murders fight then cuff both. Please Recall now
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First, if you are not educated on what an EPSO Deputy goes through day to day, go for a ride along. Go see that we do, its not easy and its not all tickets and drugs. The Sheriff and staff are the best management I have seen in a long time. If you think you can manage the money better, send Maketa an e-mail as he has asked if anyone can prove him wrong about not having enough funding. As far as scare tactics, well for the citizens, I would be. As for the deputies, I have never felt better since Maketa took over. When I started, I walked in a ward made for 42 men. On my 3rd week, I had to fight two murders in this same ward packed with over 120 felons by myself. Terry Maketa stated "I will not let you deal with unsafe conditions like that again". It is very possible the only reason why a Deputy is not dead is because of Maketa and his staff. last point, if you want to bash on people, stand up and give your name. I am John Huntz, feel free to contact with questions
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Coming from a 911 dispatcher,I can tell you that deputies dont just waste time pulling people over instead of going to emergency calls. They save lives by getting dui's off the street that could possibly kill you or your family. I am the one that answers the phone when someone is calling and screaming for help, it is a horrible feeling having to tell someone my deputy is 20 minutes away when there house is being robbed or someone was just stabbed. These calls require a 2 deputy response. This doesn't always happen. There are many calls my deputies take on their own. Though we may not have had an deputy killed, that doesn't mean they are not out there getting hurt trying to protect you. It is sad to think about people voting no on 1A. If you spend 200 dollars a month on things OTHER than gas, groceries, utilities, food, and rent/mortgage, than all you contributed was 2 dollars towards public safety. Nobody truly realizes how bad it will be until they are the victim!
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Mary...CiCi Benefiel was murdered in her own home. She was not on duty as you state. She had come home and was found in her house...she was not on duty. You are right about Hugh Martin. That was tragic but just like a soldier in the military, it is a chance you take when you become a deputy or officer and take the oath. No one wants anyone in any situation to be hurt or killed. Hopefully the sheriff's dept is trained to take calls by priority. They do a fine job as it is. No one wants to be threatened in order to get more money for the sheriff's dept. I think there are ways Maketa could encourage people to want to give to help the mission of the ElPaso Sheriff's Dept. Maketa needs to be replaced or show the community a way he will try to help the citizens with what he has. I would sacrifice to give to the cause if I felt it was going to make it better. Right now is a terrible time to ask for money but I think people will if we know it isn't going to line the sheriff's pockets.
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This story should have run a week ago. Or two. CSPD and EPSO funding is tied to sales tax, which are drastically down. There needs to be a more consistent source of funding for both. Too late now (?)
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To Mr. Stack Location: Unfortunately you are misinformed - There have have been El Paso County Sheriff's deputies killed in the line of duty - Hugh Martin and CiCi Benefiel - I am wondering if you lived in an unincorporated area and had an emergency if you would be responding in the same manner - you might want to get educated!
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Never should taxes be increased when an economy is in a state of depression. Why increase the sales tax. that would cause even more smaller businesses to go under. If sheriff's deputies would stop pulling people over for frivilous traffic infractions and respond to calls holding maybe they could get caught up on the calls and improve response times.
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Hoover I guess it depends on what your definition of a man is. No sheriff has been killed in El Paso county, they were CSPD, also it's hard to be killed in the line of duty when you are not out there. Please do not compare yourselves with CSPD'S finest. If Maketa had taken the time to educate the community instead trying to bully he may have obtained additional support from the community. The sheriff's office does not service all areas and it was deceptive to imply they do. Many people lose trust when issues are not addressed clearly and accurately. What are the roles of Maketa and the deputies? Are they considered to be genuine law enforcement? How do they benefit the community? I agree, Recall!
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All I have to say is that you can vote yes or no, but its only going to affect YOU. when crime rates triple over one cent a dollar, I will be the one on the corner with a sign that says "I TOLD YOU SO". I hope, for your and my sake, that day never comes. I hope that when you are the victim of a crime you dont have to be prioritized because others were too selfish to vote yes. I hope one day society realizes money isn't everything. I would pay any price to ensure the safety of myself, my family, my friends, my COUNTY, and the safety of those who are willing to risk their lives, to protect and serve mine and yours. I just wish everyone else could say the same. You can't put a price on safety. All they are asking for is your support. obviously, IM VOTING YES
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The sheriff isn't educating anyone. He is stating that if we don't pass 1A then it's our fault that response times are worse. All we ask is that he come up with a solution and quit being nothing more than a political pretty man. Look at the sheriff's record...every deputy is afraid of the sheriff and stays out of his way unless you are one of his buddies. Talk is cheap...prove to us you can do your job with what you have. If we felt he was on the communities side,then we wouldn't hesitate to give more to feel safe. Nothing has happened with this sheriff to make us feel safer. 1A is probably needed but we need to feel it will make a difference if it is passed. The sheriff seems too comfortable and in the long run I don't think he cares if it passes cause his paycheck won't suffer. Bottom line, do the job you were elected to do. Given the resources you have, prove to us you have a "real" plan without threats! Jessica, you say good things but money is not the only answer.
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I am voting YES on 1A. Because I have read through the entire proposal, and see no reason not to. The people who are voting no, are the ones that want all the benefit of the PUBLIC SERVICE that the county and city police offer, but do not want to pay for it. If you vote no, you are saying it is okay for 400 inmates of CJC to be released onto the streets of your city and county. If you vote no you are doing away with child protective services. There could no longer be school resource officers. Do you really want to put your children in a situation, where they would have to wait for response in the event of the unthinkable. I sure don't. ALL OF IT GOES TO PROTECT, AND SERVE THE PUBLIC. YOU ARE THE PUBLIC, THIS IS FOR YOU. The reason for slow response times is that they are already under staffed. 1A will help. They will be able to hire more officers which will fight the slowing response times, and get them back to where they should be. Support those, who support you! and VOTE YES ON 1A
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It's amazing how many people think that 1A is just about the Sheriffs Office, it's about raising the County Taxes because the El Paso County Commisioners made some bad choices for allocating the budget to where it needs to go and went over $46 million in the hole in less than 1 year. Nobody should be blaming EPSO or any other agency except for the County Commisioners on this one. They should all be recalled and should get people in there that will get the funding to the right agencies! The money is all there, but went to places like the DA's $40,000 SUV and other unnecessary cars for county employees!
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Fear tactics? What the sheriff is doing is EDUCATING. He wants you to know what will happen. Each and every item he lists is a FACT. Response times are an issue with police now, but they will be even WORSE if 1A doesn't pass. Its not just the sheriff's office, City police are stretched too thin as well. Did you know the fire fighters are barely making their 8 minute response time? over 8 minutes! when your posessions and home are burning to the ground. Everyone is complaining saying this is not the right time. IT IS THE ONLY TIME. If we let this continue, things will only deteriorate. WHY would the sheriff tell his deputies to be slow? he is SWORN TO PROTECT US. He isn't going to sugar coat what he is saying. Take the time to read through the entire thing. The tax will not help his salary. It is all going to help the citizens of El Paso County. I know WE "CAN'T AFFORD" 1A NOT PASSING. You will need the police one day. YES ON 1A! www.voteyeson1A.com. read the facts. make the right choice
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Anonymous mentions two deputies contacting a person on a bike and thinks that is a waste of resource yet he/she doesn't know the reason for the contact. Was the person was a domestic violence suspect, maybe wanted on a felony warrant or maybe himself a victim of a crime and the deputies were helping him?? You pass judgement without knowing the circumstances...this makes you uncredible and less than informed. BJ says to expand CSPD. What is he talking about? The Sheriff's Office is responsible for unincorporated El Paso County, CSPD is not because they are CITY police not COUNTY police. Robert, the response time to Security has nothing to do with the substation closing, there are simply not enough deputies to handle all the calls for service in the county. VOTE YES ON 1A, if you vote no then don't whine if you need a cop and don't get one!
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