Wendy Cohen circulates petition to toughen penalties

By Sarah Langbein
SarahLangbein@coloradoan.com

Wendy Cohen is getting a jump-start on Colorado's next legislative session by asking everyone she knows to circulate a petition.

Her campaign to enact a "Lacy Law" would change the laws of police impersonation in Colorado.

Police believe Cohen's daughter, Lacy Miller, was murdered in January by a Fort Collins man posing as a police officer. Police believe that Jason Peder Clausen lured Miller from her car with flashing police-type lights that he had installed in her sport utility vehicle.

Clausen was sentenced April 3 to life in prison for brutally killing Miller.

"Let's learn from what happened to Lacy Miller," the petition reads. "Let's take away tools from would-be law enforcement impersonators and keep our loved ones safe."

The petition proposes that anyone possessing police-style lights, who does not work in law enforcement, would be charged at minimum with a class 1 misdemeanor. The lights would be confiscated on the spot by authorities. In addition, anyone possessing or using any other police paraphernalia, such as badges or car emblems, would be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor. Those items also would be taken away.

"I just wanted to be prepared if I ever get a voice," Cohen said. "I just want to get their attention. I think by doing this I will get their attention."

Cohen is in the process of setting up a mailbox outside of her home, 2915 Brumbaugh Drive, where people can pick up and drop off petitions. She said people can stop by her home until then to get copies of the petition.

"Hopefully, it will get out the message to people who do have lights in their cars," she said. "I want to have every 18-year-old and older in Colorado sign one. I want to be able to bring them stacks of petitions."

Cohen also has been invited by Gov. Bill Owens to attend the signing of House Bill 1304.

State Rep. Bob McCluskey, R-Fort Collins, introduced House Bill 1304 that looks to increase the penalty of impersonating a peace officer from a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine up to $1,000, to a class 1 misdemeanor. The crime's punishment would be up to 18 months in jail and a fine up to $5,000.

It has passed both houses of the General Assembly and awaits the governor's signature.

"It would be my honor if you would consider joining me at the signing ceremony," Owens wrote to Cohen. "Again, thanks for bringing this matter to my attention, and for dedicating your time and energy to the task of ensuring that this crime against Lacy does not strike other innocent victims."

Dan Hopkins, spokesman for Owens, said the governor has not yet received the bill, and the date of the signing has not been determined.

"I will be there with bells on," Cohen said.

Sarah Langbein