UPDATE & CORRECTION: 7:10 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2008
The story below came to the attention of the CSPD after the discussions and successful resolution regarding CSPD support of the Defenders of Freedom Veterans Recognition Ride, now scheduled for May 18, and created serious concerns over the veracity of some of the information provided in the story.

At the request of CSPD Deputy Chief Steven Liebowitz, I met with him, Commander E. Thor Eells and Lt Vincent Niski Jr., both of the CSPD Specialized Enforcement Division, and Lt. Skip Arms of the CSPD Public Information Office to discuss their issues and concerns with the accuracy of information provided in the story below. They vehemently assured me that the information I had received and presented in the story below with regard to the unscheduled "emergency" Special Events Committee meeting and the comments attributed to Deputy Chief Liebowitz was completely inaccurate to the memory of all participants they had spoken with who were in attendance at the meeting several weeks ago and that the CSPD's policies toward special public events has remained relatively unchanged for years. It was explained that the purpose of the meeting was to help put a proposal for guidance and approval, policies and processes together for later discussion and refinement with local event organizers because no clear procedures exist and that the tenor of the meeting was to help provide a better process for all concerned. Deputy Chief Liebowitz stressed that nothing even close to the words or intent of the comments that were attributed to him in the story were discussed at the meeting.

Deputy Chief Liebowitz also strongly voiced his feeling that the story unfairly used unverified and inaccurate information that impugned his character, questioned his almost 30 years of service, and his genuine care for our military and our community but, even more importantly to him, called the same into question with regard to the entire CSPD. He stressed that he and the CSPD have and continue to support strongly our military and special events in the community, and any statement to the contrary is completely without merit.

After meeting with these folks, having no reason to question the veracity or sincerity of the information they provided, I would like to offer sincere apologies specifically to Deputy Chief Liebowitz, and to the members of the CSPD in general, for any discomfort, indignity, disdain or dishonor that any false or inaccurate information provided in the story may have caused.

The intent of this story was only to raise public awareness about what, at the time it was originally posted, appeared to be a policy issue that needed to be addressed by having people voice their support of police escorts. The intent was not malicious and at the time there was no reason to question the veracity of the sources who provided the information regarding the unscheduled Special Events Committee meeting or the comments attributed to Deputy Chief Liebowitz.


UPDATE: 11:38 a.m. Thursday March 20
During discussions with the Colorado Springs Police Department, they wished to make it clear that the CSPD wholeheartedly supports our military service members, veterans and our community. According to the CSPD, their concerns are more about the special event process as a whole and ensuring these events are conducted in a manner that ensures public safety and welfare.The CSPD is planning to have a meeting of local event organizers in the future in hopes of developing a mutually acceptable and beneficial policy and procedures for future special events.

As the result of coordinating discussions with the CSPD, there have been some changes to the Defenders of Freedom - Veterans Recognition Ride route and date. The route has been altered to accommodate what the CSPD Special Events Unit recommended will be more safe and more easily controlled. Unfortunately, there is also a large event on Saturday, May 17 at the World Arena that requires all the available CSPD Special Events staff. As the result, because we believe the CSPD's involvement and support of the Defenders of Freedom -Veterans Recognition RIde is very important, the date of the event has been CHANGED from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17t to Sunday, May 18.

UPDATE: 4:09 p.m. Thursday, March 13
We were contacted by the Colorado Springs Police Department Special Events Unit and notified that the CSPD has made the decision to help support the Defenders of Freedom - Veterans Recognition Ride to be a safe and successful event by coordinating the police escort of our event with us.

If you choose to contact the folks below to voice your support for police escorts, please bear in mind that they are working with us to come to a solution that will benefit our community.

A Deputy Chief at the Colorado Springs Police Department appears to be actively working to end all police escort activities that support community charities and our military among others.

According to attendees, while speaking at a recent gathering attended by members of the community, Deputy Chief of Police Steve Liebowitz made comments to the effect that he believes that Police Escorts have no place in Colorado Springs. These would include Military and VIP escorts like the one for the recent visit by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs on Monday, March 10 as well as escorts for other high profile VIP's visiting our City and, worst of all, charities that directly effect the needy,children, wounded soldiers and veteransin our community.

What is even more egregious, Liebowitz apparently further insisted that there is NO benefit to the community from any of the motorcycle events and activities that receive police escorts, like the annual High Country Toy Run to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign sponsored by Pro Promotions.

Just a few of the many additional charity events that fit in this category in the last year alone are:

The PPHOG Memorial Hospital Children's Toy Run
9/11 Ride to benefit American EX-POW's
IAFF International Firefighters Ride to Remember
Pikes Peak Fallen Police Officers Memorial Ride

The Police Escorts provided for these charitable events are paid for by the event organizers and according to one organizer "In our minds, There are no money problems, no manpower problems, and a great past safety record. This just seems to be one man's mission to end ALL escorts, including those for Wounded Soldiers returning from the War!"

Police escorts are essential to ensuring public safety, both for those participating in such charitable events and the general motoring public. Local event organizers have worked closely with the CSPD Special Events Unit in the past enabling all past events to take place successfully and safely.

At one point many years past the City Attorney briefly mandated the end of police escorts out of concern for liability. As the result, a large public protest ensued, the media got involved, the rides went on anyway, traffic was affected and public safety was compromised. After these events, CSPD Escorts were re-instated.

Public safety is supposed to be one of the primary missions of our Police and Sheriff's Departments. In fact, the CSPD receives a large portion of a special tax (The Public Safety Sales Tax or PSST) passed by the voters to provide our Police and Fire Departments with additional funds to ensure public safety.

This renewed push by Liebowitz came to light as the result of enquiries made during the planning for an event scheduled to take place on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17th, 2008: The Defenders of Freedom - Veterans Recognition Ride ( http://www.brianwess.com/veteransride) to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The event as proposed is a police escorted ride using major travel routes through Colorado Springs and El Paso County and will pass in proximity to each of the major Military installations in the area (U.S. Air Force Academy, NORAD, Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base and Schreiver Air Force Base) in order to honor members of the United States Military who serve, have served, have been wounded or have given their lives in the service of our country.

The proceeds raised by this event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a 501C3 charitable organization that helps members of the U.S. Military who have been wounded in combat in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and the Global War on Terrorism. Through the WWP our wounded warriors are provided opportunities that empower them such as: outdoor activities that teach them how to enjoy activities with family or friends without the need for special equipment, year round sports programs for severely wounded service members and ongoing training that eases the transition to civilian life. (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/)

According to KRDO News 13, with the exception of the El Pomar Foundation, the Motorcycling/Biker community in the Colorado Springs area is the largest contributor to local charities. With over 25,000 registered motorcycles in El Paso County, it's time that we make our voices heard!