The Steamboat Pilot & Today: Poll: Should Sheriff's Office employees be allowed to use their county vehicles for personal use?

Should Sheriff's Office employees be allowed to use their county vehicles for personal use?

Response		Percent	Votes
No		78%	400
Yes		21%	112
Total	512

Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Community comments

Note: The Steamboat Pilot & Today doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy.

trump_suit (anonymous)
June 17, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In and around Routt County, I would support this policy. However, Routt County vehicles do not belong in Vernal

portagetheyampa (anonymous)
June 17, 2007 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I worked for the county and we never could use the county vehicles for our own use.

The Sheriff's proclamation, "We work 24/7; we never sleep." is frankly quite preposterous!! I think he is looking for a way that he, his undersheriff and other favorite employees can go whereever they please in the county vehicles at taxpayers' expense.

Nancy Stahoviak is correct. ALL county vehicles are for county use, only. And, they certainly don't belong in Utah or anywhere else outside Routt County. Get a handle on this nutty sheriff, commissioners!

Lovesteamboat (anonymous)
June 19, 2007 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny stuff. (not really)

Between City Council, the School Board, and our Sheriff, the leadership of our community is in pretty sorry shape. It's like "everyone's in charge" and "no one's in charge" all at the same time.

Reading the Steamboat Pilot is like watching an Aaron Spelling show on FOX.

I sincerely hate politics...I moved to the mountains to get away from this stuff in the first place. But times like these make me seriously consider running for mayor.

Before you call me an idiot...I do realize that Steamboat's city leadership is not structured around a mayor.

Maybe this is the change Steamboat needs...too many chefs in the kitchen, and everyone is baking up a different recipe.

Can I count on your vote??

scottgnu (anonymous)
June 20, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I lived in the Aspen/Pitken County area for several years before moving to Steamboat. There the deputies are requested to use their patrol cars for personal use within the confines of the county in order to keep an increased police presence. It is generally well accepted by the community because a police presence does more to reduce crime than any other proactive measures. I support the policy, however there must be stipulations such as staying within the county limits.

whyquestion (anonymous)
June 20, 2007 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

should routt county bill utah for the protection provided by BUSTOS 24/7 while he was there???? $1,000.00 plus cost of gas going there,around and back???

Horserider (anonymous)
June 20, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Interestingly, he lived in Utah when he was hired. What our commisioners need to determine is if the U/S travelled to Utah for personal reasons. If in fact this was a personal trip then it is an issue. Let's not use the "I'm patrolling the country, danger is my life" stuff. Oh, and by the way, the 24/7 thing and the "we never sleep" I appreciate all public servants but our Sheriff and UnderSheriff need to ground themselves and focus on the safety of the residents in this county and this state.

buck (anonymous)
June 20, 2007 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have had to fire two employees for using company vehicles for personal use. This is standard stuff - whether it is a vehicle, computer, or other employer-owned equipment.
For the Sheriff to insinuate that the Undersheriff was somehow protecting the citizens of Routt County by driving a company vehicle on personal time in Utah is humorous. I voted for Wall, and now regret it. Is Wall really that ethically challenged? It is recall time for this loose cannon ball on deck!

kielbasa (Matthew Stoddard)
June 21, 2007 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wondering: from everything I've been reading, I seem to be thinking that Bustos' vehicle was "undercover," meaning no whoopee lights on top, no RCSO graphics, etc. Can anyone tell if that's correct? If so, how is that showing a pressence, as Wall said?

JQPUBLIC (anonymous)
June 22, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Officers should be allowed to take their vehicles home (assuming they do not live in Utah), there is a police presence and the car is readily available for emergency responses. After that they should pay for their own gas, oil, insurance, etc. just like the rest of us. I used to think it wouldn't hurt if the officer (not family) used it to go on short personal shopping jaunts (in the county) but someone like our King Wall and Prince Bustos will always stretch the liberties to the limit.... they'll be buying file cabinets in vegas next.

They deserve each other, the question is...Do we deserve them??

dundalk (anonymous)
June 22, 2007 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When might we expect to receive monetary compensation from Vernal, Utah for the 24/7 law enforcement service that Routt County, Colorado is providing...at this time, FREE OF CHARGE.

Doesn't Bustos still maintain his residence in Vernal, Utah?

Pc (anonymous)
June 23, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm with Lovesteamboat - Our "leaders" are a sorry lot -- everyone is in charge and no one is in charge. Let's have a mayor and substantially more accountability.