Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — At 1 a.m., the phones at the Steamboat Springs Police Department started ringing off the hook and didn't stop until 4 a.m., Officer Brian Rogers said.

In those three hours, police responded to five domestic-violence calls and three fights in progress were reported.

"We were very busy," Rogers said. "We had to call for assistance from the Routt County Sheriff Office."

The Steamboat Springs Police Department is short staffed at the moment, Rogers said. On Saturday night, one sergeant and two officers were on duty. Two sheriff's deputies joined them as backup.

Rogers could not comment on the domestic violence cases, saying only that there was one arrest. The case is still under investigation.

"We were just so busy that I am still down three reports," Rogers said. He didn't get a break to write his reports until 5:30 a.m. on Sunday because he was responding to calls.

Between responding to domestic violence calls and breaking up fights, a bicycle was reported stolen and police received several noise complaints from people shooting off fireworks.

"On a usual Saturday night with a big crowd in town, it's not unusual to see a fight or two," Rogers said. "But domestic violence is not something you see a lot of (in one night). It's more spread over time."

There were seven domestic violence cases reported in Routt County late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Five were in Steamboat and two were in Hayden.

"I don't ever recall more than two in a shift," Rogers said.

-- To reach Autumn Phillips call 871-4210

or e-mail aphillips@steamboatpilot.com