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Speaking to educators, U.S. attorney outlines efforts since Columbine
By Ann CarnahanDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
When Tom Strickland became U.S. attorney for Colorado, he knew what to expect: large-scale drug prosecutions, white-collar economic crimes and investigations that crossed jurisdictional lines. But instead he's spent more time on gun violence than on all other issues combined. "If you violate gun laws ... you will be vigorously prosecuted," Strickland said Saturday. "And if we have the possibility of putting you in prison, we will put you in prison." Strickland's talk at the Radisson Hotel in northeast Denver capped a two-day U.S. Department of Education conference called "Picking Up the Pieces: Responding to School Crises." About 250 educators and emergency responders met to talk about preparing for crises in schools — tornadoes, floods, hazardous materials spills and violence. Strickland filled in for Attorney General Janet Reno, who had been scheduled to speak but could not attend. Strickland — who was sworn in the day after the shootings at Columbine — said the tragedy "struck the heart of this country." "Columbine crystallized public opinion in a way that no prior act of gun violence in this country did," he said. Federal law enforcement doesn't have a significant role in the schools. But it does have a supporting role. Strickland noted that $5.3 million in federal grants have allowed Colorado to hire 43 school resource officers over a three-year period. The money has gone to 20 communities statewide. Strickland also reported that his office charged twice as many people with gun crimes than in the previous year. From Sept. 1, 1999, until Sept. 1 of this year, 147 people have been charged with violating federal gun laws in Colorado, Strickland said. During the same period the previous year, 72 people were charged under the same federal laws. The prosecutions coincide with the start of Colorado Project Exile. It calls for federal and local prosecutors to cooperate in paying more attention to federal and state gun law violations and encourages them to bring charges in the jurisdiction that offers the toughest sentences. Strickland said some of the project's defendants include a man named Rudo Thompson, who was speeding through northeast Denver last February. When police tried to stop him, Thompson abandoned the car and fled on foot. As he tried to go over a fence, Thompson dropped a .45-caliber weapon and a half-ounce of cocaine. Thompson was facing drug charges in other states and had a prior conviction for shooting at someone. He was convicted and faces up to 14 years in prison. Another Project Exile defendant, Terry Whitaker, was first noticed by officers for speeding on his Jet Ski on Chatfield Reservoir, Strickland said. State park rangers found an assault rifle in Whitaker's car and later learned he had eight felony convictions. Whitaker is serving 10 years. Contact Ann Carnahan at (303) 892-5248 or carnahana@RockyMountainNews.com. September 24, 2000
When Tom Strickland became U.S. attorney for Colorado, he knew what to expect: large-scale drug prosecutions, white-collar economic crimes and investigations that crossed jurisdictional lines.
But instead he's spent more time on gun violence than on all other issues combined.
"If you violate gun laws ... you will be vigorously prosecuted," Strickland said Saturday. "And if we have the possibility of putting you in prison, we will put you in prison."
Strickland's talk at the Radisson Hotel in northeast Denver capped a two-day U.S. Department of Education conference called "Picking Up the Pieces: Responding to School Crises."
About 250 educators and emergency responders met to talk about preparing for crises in schools — tornadoes, floods, hazardous materials spills and violence.
Strickland filled in for Attorney General Janet Reno, who had been scheduled to speak but could not attend.
Strickland — who was sworn in the day after the shootings at Columbine — said the tragedy "struck the heart of this country."
"Columbine crystallized public opinion in a way that no prior act of gun violence in this country did," he said.
Federal law enforcement doesn't have a significant role in the schools. But it does have a supporting role.
Strickland noted that $5.3 million in federal grants have allowed Colorado to hire 43 school resource officers over a three-year period. The money has gone to 20 communities statewide.
Strickland also reported that his office charged twice as many people with gun crimes than in the previous year.
From Sept. 1, 1999, until Sept. 1 of this year, 147 people have been charged with violating federal gun laws in Colorado, Strickland said. During the same period the previous year, 72 people were charged under the same federal laws.
The prosecutions coincide with the start of Colorado Project Exile. It calls for federal and local prosecutors to cooperate in paying more attention to federal and state gun law violations and encourages them to bring charges in the jurisdiction that offers the toughest sentences.
Strickland said some of the project's defendants include a man named Rudo Thompson, who was speeding through northeast Denver last February. When police tried to stop him, Thompson abandoned the car and fled on foot.
As he tried to go over a fence, Thompson dropped a .45-caliber weapon and a half-ounce of cocaine. Thompson was facing drug charges in other states and had a prior conviction for shooting at someone. He was convicted and faces up to 14 years in prison.
Another Project Exile defendant, Terry Whitaker, was first noticed by officers for speeding on his Jet Ski on Chatfield Reservoir, Strickland said. State park rangers found an assault rifle in Whitaker's car and later learned he had eight felony convictions. Whitaker is serving 10 years.
Contact Ann Carnahan at (303) 892-5248 or carnahana@RockyMountainNews.com.
September 24, 2000
