Community Service Response Teams: Who Are They? What Do They Do?
Since January 1, 2022, through October 20, 2022, there have been 6,915 traffic accidents in Adams County, 5,985 accidents in Arapahoe County, and 3,095 crashes in Douglas County, as reported by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Out of those traffic accidents, 3,578 occurred in Aurora, which amounts to an average of 12 accidents per day.
For the same time period, the Accident Data Center shows a total of 22 fatalities in a total of 15 car accidents. There were also 109 vehicle accidents that resulted in serious injuries. The remaining 3,454 accidents resulted in property damage with no apparent injuries, possible injuries, or only minor injuries. This car accident data also included motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
With the majority of car accidents in Aurora not involving fatalities and serious injuries, the city, along with the Aurora Police Department (APD), created the Community Service Response Team.
What is the Community Service Response Team?
The Community Service Response Team is a group of civilians who the APD employs. They provide support to the police department by responding to non-emergency traffic accidents. As a result, this frees the APD to focus on emergencies and helps address the department’s understaffing issues.
What types of accidents does the Community Service Response Team respond to?
The team responds to non-emergency car accidents, such as rear-end collisions, minor fender benders, and vehicle turnovers. They are primarily dispatched when there are non-injuries. Their purpose is to take accident reports and to provide de-escalation in intense situations.
They can also be dispatched to respond to situations where motorists need assistance. For example, someone’s vehicle has broken down in the middle of the road. The responding team member could set up flares and help direct traffic until a tow truck arrives.
Each team member has a police radio if they need to contact the APD or request an ambulance should someone want medical treatment. In addition, their response vehicles are outfitted with flares, emergency lights, a tactical medical bag, a car jack, and a tire iron.
In addition, the Community Service Response Team members may be dispatched to more serious crashes to provide support to the APD. They will help collect witness statements and direct traffic.
What type of training does the team have?
The team has undergone with APD officers to learn how to:
- Take Reports
- Collect Witness Statements
- Attempt De-Escalation
- Secure an Accident Scene
- Provide First Aid
- Perform Basic Accident Response Skills
During which times of day will the team operate?
The APD currently has four Community Service Response Team members. They will work between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will also work select hours on Saturdays
How is the program doing?
The Community Service Response Team program began in September. Since then, team members have continued training with APD police officers. So far, community response has been favorable.
The APD hopes to get another group of interested people into training for the program this year. Their goal is to have them start responding to non-emergency car accidents in winter or early spring 2023.
When should I contact a car accident lawyer in Aurora?
You should contact a car accident lawyer in Aurora at Bachus & Schanker when you have been injured, and those injuries were the result of the negligence of another. Even when your injuries seem minor, you should get an honest opinion from an experienced personal injury lawyer to fully understand your rights.
In addition, please make sure to call 911 anytime you are in a car accident to file a police report. If you are injured, also ensure you seek medical treatment, no matter the extent of your injuries.
Sources
1Colorado Crash Data Dashboard. (2022).
2Complete Aurora, CO Accident Reports and News. (2022).
3Aurora PD Is Hiring! (2022).
