Sally Fitzgerald is a longtime volunteer at the Manitou Springs Food Pantry, which currently operates out of the historic building that housed St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church until its recent closure. The pantry serves around 80 families during its Wednesday distributions. Previously, the Silver Key Senior Lunch program began in the church just before pantry hours. Many of the people who attended the lunch program also shopped at the pantry.
In January, Fitzgerald told the Bulletin she was unhappy with the way an arrest had unfolded at the pantry the August before. The volunteer who was the main co-ordinator at the time, Chelle Tomasik, was displeased about it as well. Both women described to the Bulletin the disruptive scene that had unfolded when two MSPD officers had come into the pantry area and arrested a woman there which led to her “yelling and crying” as the officers stood “over her,” according to Fitzgerald. This, both women recalled, greatly upset the seniors having lunch, the pantry shoppers, and pantry volunteers. Tomasik and Fitzgerald recalled how many of those present were “shaking” after witnessing the arrest, and some felt traumatized for weeks. One volunteer quit after the incident.
Both women felt the arrest should not have taken place inside the pantry as it made the place feel unsafe to some of the people in need of its services. Or, if it had to take place there, there should have been a mental health crisis response team member there to prevent escalation.
The two women wanted to file a complaint about the officer they perceived as having initiated the arrest, Officer Gary Johnson.
Fitzgerald wrote down her memories and concerns about the incident ahead of going to the station to file the complaint. She had this statement in hand when she and Tomasik went into the MSPD station on Friday, Jan. 17 – accompanied by me; I disclosed I was there for a possible story.
They told Administrative Assistant Stephen Dudek they were there to file a complaint; he told them they would have to file the complaint on the City website.
Citing their discomfort with computers, they asked if there was a paper copy of the complaint they could fill out at the station, or if they could receive assistance at the station with filling out the online complaint form. Dudek indicated there was not, then abruptly left the area and did not return.
There was one officer on site who suggested they call El Paso County dispatch to file a complaint, but with the caveat that he did not really know what the process was. He also did not know how to reach anyone who would know what the process was.
Tomasik and Fitzgerald take it up the chain
Tomasik and Fitzgerald then went next door to Memorial Hall and requested to speak with City Administrator Denise Howell. Fitzgerald and Tomasik spoke to Howell about the original incident, and the difficulty in filing a report. Fitzgerald gave her written statement to Howell, who said she would look into it and get back to them by Monday, Jan. 27.
The pantry should be a place of safety. – Chelle Tomasik
Fitzgerald asked me to attend a meeting with her, Tomasik and Howell on Feb. 6, but when I arrived, Howell and Manitou Springs Police Chief Bill Otto indicated they were not comfortable with press presence, and I agreed to leave so Fitzgerald and Tomasik could proceed with the conversation.
Later, Tomasik and Fitzgerald told the Bulletin they had been asked during the meeting if Officer Johnson could join the talk, which they agreed to, and he did. Both women recounted that they were told the arrest was done properly; neither was sure what would change as a result of their concerns.
MSPD’s response
The Bulletin reached out to the City of Manitou for comment, and received a statement from Chief Otto.
“The Police Department is committed to enhancing our response to mental health crises,” he wrote. “When possible, we will coordinate with our crisis response partners to have a mental health professional present for incidents near the pantry, when necessary. However, availability depends on resource constraints, and while we strive for their presence, it cannot be guaranteed in every situation.”
He also addressed the women’s experience trying to file a complaint.
“Regarding the complaint process, a system has always been in place for those without tech access,” he wrote. “Staff have since received additional training to ensure all individuals can submit complaints via phone, in person, or through paper forms. No policy changes were needed, just better guidance for those assisting the public. If ADA accessibility is of concern, we can utilize our ADA coordinator to further assist if needed.”
Tomasik expressed her wishes for good coordination between the pantry and MSPD going forward.
“I am hoping we work better together in the future,” Tomasik said. “The pantry should be a place of safety.”
