Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Reported rapes and domestic violence cases significantly increased in 2001 in a record-breaking year for the Routt County Sheriff's Office.

Rapes and domestic violence cases for Sheriff John Warner's office both doubled in 2001 as compared to the previous year.

Sheriff's deputies investigated seven reported cases of rape in 2001, which is higher than the three cases investigated in 2000.

Last year, deputies also handled 91 domestic violence cases, which increased significantly from the 42 cases handled in 2000.

Warner said the number of these cases being reported is a result of victims coming forward with these types of crimes more often.

"I'm not sure there are more incidents of rape and domestic violence going on," Warner said. "In the past couple of years, we have really pushed hard for folks to report sexual assaults and domestic violence.

"I think we are now reaping the benefits. I would continue to encourage victims to report these types of crimes."

An increase in rapes and domestic violence cases happened in a year when the department responded to 3,100 calls for service that required a report being filed by a deputy.

It is a significant increase when compared to the 2,200 incident reports filed in 2000, Warner said.

"We have just been really busy," Warner said.

Along with a rise in rapes and domestic disputes, other crimes assaults, burglary, theft and vandalism also increased from the year before.

The office handled 42 reported assaults, which is an increase of 25 cases over those reported in 2000.

Burglaries also increased in 2001 with 10 cases. In 2000, deputies investigated six cases.

Last year, thefts remained relatively steady with 15 cases, which is an increase of three from the year before.

However, vandalism cases increased with a total of 25 cases last year. In 2000, 17 cases were reported.

Warner said the increase in vandalism is because of the acts of youths.

"Lots of criminal mischief was done by juveniles," Warner said. "We saw an increase (in the number) of kids doing stupid things."

Another crime that remained steady in 2001 was drunken-driving arrests. Sheriff's deputies arrested 127 drunken drivers.

"The amount of DUIs is frustrating," Warner said. "It is inexcusable for anyone to get arrested here with the resources provided. There is a taxi service and a free bus."

DUI arrests accounted for 23 percent of the total traffic arrests, 554, deputies made in 2001.

Along with the traffic arrests, deputies also handed out 1,769 traffic citations and issued 1,887 written warnings.

Warner said the increase in calls can be attributed to growth and more residents calling in traffic complaints.

"We are definitely seeing more traffic on county roads," Warner said.

"Traffic enforcement has been a focus of this office because it is complaint-driven and people are more proactive in calling in complaints."

At this point, Warner believes his office is properly staffed to handle the amount of calls for service.

Warner's office has an annual budget of about $1 million. His staff includes 11 patrol deputies and 18 detention deputies.

"Last year, we were short staffed at times," Warner said. "The overall picture these numbers give me is that we have been holding our own in my opinion."