Coffee with a Cop talks animal issues

By Ruthanne Johnson, The Monte Vista Journal
Original article HERE

Monte Vista police officers Michael Martinez, Sgt. Eugene Ortega and Shane Porter led October’s Coffee with a Cop meeting at Java Dave’s coffee shop. About 15 people attended.

Discussion topics included the possibility of a new ordinance allowing backyard chickens, a feral cat spay and neuter program and ordinance updates that would increase the length of tether for dogs and require more humane specifications for outdoor shelter for pets. The city manager and clerk are currently working on drafting an ordinance that would allow a limited number of backyard chickens, said Porter, which will be presented at an upcoming city council meeting.

Also discussed were cameras slated for installation in Monte Vista by SLVREC while they are working on fiberoptic lines. “They will be installing about seven cameras around town in locations where police have deemed them important in preventing and solving crimes as well as determining fault in traffic violations and accidents,” Porter said.

For residents concerned about home or business security, Officer Martinez suggested relatively inexpensive cameras that connect to Wi-Fi and alert the home or business owner via cell phone. The cameras are made for indoor or outdoor installations and have good scope of vision as well as night vision available. They can be plug-in, battery or solar powered. Basically, motion trips the camera to begin recording, said Martinez, and an alert is sent to your cell phone. Real-time pictures and video are possible through Wi-Fi connection. Companies that sell these types of security cameras include Argus, Ring, Zmodo and Netgear.

Martinez said the Monte Vista Police Department received a grant for new patrol vests, which are lighter and will help with body posture and running because they allow the police office to distribute equipment more evenly.

Porter also shared the story of a recent call he received from a Monte Vista resident concerned about a skunk in distress with a mayonnaise jar stuck on his head. Human trash can cause great harm to wildlife, from skunks and raccoons starving to death because their head is stuck in trash to plastic six-pack rings and fishing line that entangle ducks, fish and turtles. These animals often die a slow, terrible death.

Porter didn’t want to be sprayed by the skunk, but he also didn’t want the animal to suffer and die. After trying unsuccessfully to pry off the jar with a very long stick, he approached the skunk once it had settled down between two trees. “I just reached down and very quickly pulled on the mayonnaise jar and it came off,” he said. “Then I immediately ran to put some distance between me and the skunk so I didn’t get sprayed.”

To prevent trash from harming opportunistic wildlife, secure trash and place it out the morning of trash pick up rather than the night before. It’s also a good idea to cut up six -pack rings and other trash that can entangle wildlife.