Lights and sirens not always justified

Randy Sibbett

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | midnight

On Aug. 28, a resident in the 500 block of Avenue K called and reported that someone broke into her vehicle the night before and stole 15 CDs.

On Aug. 29, Sgt. Glenn along with Officers Ford, Ham, Olson, and Wilkin responded to Dale's Sinclair on Nevada Highway to a report that a male had been threatened with a gun and the suspects ran toward a neighboring trailer park. The suspects were located and identified by the victim and a witness, and two weapons were located inside a residence. Assault with a deadly weapon charges were filed.

On Aug. 31, Sgt. Perkins along with Officers Olson and Wilkin responded to the 1300 block of Gloria Lane to a report of a burglary. The victim reported that she was asleep in a back room and awoke to find a male inside the residence stealing her purse. No suspects at this time.

On Sept. 1, a police officer from Henderson Police Department was using our shooting range near the dry lake bed and reported that a suspicious male was pacing back and forth near him with a rifle slung across his back.

Additional Henderson officers who happened to be in the area disarmed the suspect until Boulder City officers arrived. The individual told officers he was hunting. He was warned about possessing a loaded firearm within the city limits and released.

On Sept. 1, a female in the 1500 block of Georgia Avenue called to report that her vehicle had been stolen. The dispatcher advised her that her car had in fact been repossessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you decide what calls to print?

A: I try to highlight those calls that are humorous, shocking, or give the readers a "heads up" if we're having an extraordinary problem with a particular type crime.

Q: I saw a cop driving faster than the speed limit but he didn't have his lights and siren on. Aren't you guys supposed to obey the speed limit just like everyone else?

A: Yes, we are. The officer was probably responding to an urgent call. There are only a handful of calls that justify using emergency lights and siren. They include injury accidents, officer needs emergency assistance, fights, violent domestic battery calls, etc. Most calls don't justify driving with emergency lights and sirens, but some still require us to get there as quickly as possible.

Let's say for example that a relative or close friend of yours called the police late one night to report someone prowling in their backyard. We would not use emergency lights and sirens because it's not an emergency, but we'd like to arrive quickly and quietly so we can catch the individual.

Would you like us to drive the posted speed limit or would you like us to exceed the speed limit a little in order to get there as quickly as possible? I know what my answer would be.

Q: My daughter came home late one night and smelled like alcohol. She denied drinking and told me she'd take a breath test if I wanted her to. I'd like to do that, but I don't want her to get into trouble. Can I purchase one of those small breath machines that you guys use?

A: You can, but you don't need to. Bring her to the lobby of the Police Department, 1105 Arizona St., or call us and we'll come to your home to administer a breath test.

I've done this on a number of occasions as an educational tool for the juvenile and the parents.

I usually won't issue a citation under these circumstances if it's a first offense. I can't speak for the other officers, but I believe most would respond similarly if asked. If it happens again, call and ask to speak to the supervisor on duty.

Weekly Statistics

Incident Reports: 51

Traffic Stops: 236

Citations Issued: 84

Adult Arrests: 27

Juvenile Arrests: 2

Animal Control Calls: 107

Randy Sibbett, a Boulder City patrol officer, can be contacted at [email protected].