Wyoming sheriff Brian Kozak gathers ‘Wild West’ posse of volunteers to ’round up’ smash and grab thieves ahead of the holiday shopping season

After a series of thefts in Wyoming, Sheriff Brian Kozak has decided to take a unique approach to the matter: by assembling a “Wild West” style group of volunteers to “bust” the thieves ahead of the holiday shopping season.

The posse will be decked out in cowboy hats and uniform as a means of deterring lawlessness and theft in the community.

“When I talk to the store owners here in Cheyenne and some of the big newsstands, they tell me that the thefts have increased in recent months,” Kozak told the paper. Cowboy state daily.

“They would just feel better if there was a civilian uniform present – ​​someone who could immediately call the police, he added.

Kozak said that as crime increases in Wyoming, there is a perception that criminals will not be caught or prosecuted. But he insists this is not true, and the group was formed to make that clear to the public.

The local community is feeling the rising crime rate, especially small businesses in the area. The Laramie Police Department has also reported a rise in stolen vehicles in the area

‘There seems to be a perception that (thieves) will not be prosecuted; however, our new prosecutor is doing a very good job of prosecuting cases and going back and prosecuting (old) cases,” Kozak said.

Laramie County District Attorney Sylvia Hackl was sworn in in January with a primary focus on criminal justice reform.

According to the Wyoming Business Report, one of its priorities would be to “establish communication with all stakeholders,” including crime victims, law enforcement and courts.

A small town in southeastern Wyoming, Laramie is home to the University of Wyoming and has a population of about 30,000.

According to FBI data, the odds of being a victim of violence or property crime in Laramie are 1 in 56.

Yet Laramie is not considered one of the safest communities in America.

For example, compared to Wyoming, Laramie has a crime rate higher than 86 percent of cities and towns of all sizes in the state.

The gang members will not make any arrests, according to Kozak, despite the fact that Wyoming law allows civilian arrests of burglars and thieves.

But the duties of the posse members consist solely of reporting the crime, and they are not assigned to deal with or arrest criminals.

Kozak said he hopes the program will also lead to a sheriff’s search and rescue program.

Applicants must meet certain requirements to be eligible to be a member of the squad.

Posse members must be at least 18 years old or older, have a GED or high school diploma, as well as a valid driver’s license and no felonies, the outlet said.

According to Kozak, the local community is noticing the increase in crime, especially the small businesses in the area.

The Laramie Police Department has also reported a rise in stolen vehicles in the area.

At least 10 stolen vehicle reports have been filed in Albany County in the past 30 days, according to Laramie Live News.

In addition to the “Wild West” group, new laws are also being introduced in Wyoming to address the increase in thefts.

According to the Wyoming File, a person convicted of four robberies in Wyoming can now face a felony and face up to 10 years in prison if he steals again.

House Bill 112 – Theft penalty for fifth or subsequent offenses went into effect July 1.

It used to be a felony in Wyoming to steal anything worth more than $1,000, or a “gun, horse, mule, sheep, cattle, buffalo, or pig” of any value.

But the new law has turned a fifth conviction for theft into a felony, regardless of the price of the stolen property.

Felony theft in Wyoming carries penalties of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine, while felony theft carries jail time and fines of up to $10,000.

While the group is dedicated to fighting crime, they also made sure to do so in style.

According to Kozak, when he became sheriff, the first thing his deputies asked for were cowboy hats, so he gave them some.

“They love the tradition, the western sheriff’s history, especially here in Wyoming,” he told the Cowboy State Daily.

Kozak plans to provide posse members with cowboy hats as well.

They all wear hats. In fact, we spend (them),” Kozak added. “And I think it looks good with the uniform.