A new billboard in Denver aims to recruit legislators to come to Wyoming at the expense of Colorado policy and leadership.
“Work in Wyoming where breaking the law is still illegal and the police are funded!” the sign read, according to a social media post. The Laramie County, Wyoming, Sheriff's Office paid for billboards to recruit deputies in a subtle attack on the city's progressive government.
Sheriff Brian Kozak paid $2,500 to put a message on a billboard in Denver during National Police Week. He told FOX News Digital that he has only been sheriff for just over a year, and that when he first became sheriff, there were about 90 vacancies in the sheriff's office.
“We launched a digital media campaign to focus on areas where perhaps liberal politics were swaying law enforcement,” he said. “We knew police officers in those areas were probably a little frustrated, so we focused our advertising on Denver.”
Laramie County Sheriff's Office Sign (Laramie County Sheriff's Office)
“Meanwhile, the city of Denver has announced an $8 million grant to the police department to fund immigrant shelters and limit the police's ability to enforce traffic laws, such as expired license plates and safety equipment violations, according to national media reports. The Laramie County Sheriff's Office said: The Office Facebook post has been read.
Cheyenne, the capital and largest city of Wyoming, is the county seat of Laramie.
“During Police Week, the Laramie County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) unveiled a billboard in downtown Denver reminding disgruntled officers, 'Wyoming where breaking the law is still illegal and police are still defunded. You can work in the state!'” the post added. “Sheriff Kozak would like to thank the community for supporting law enforcement and welcomes those who are motivated to do their jobs to join LCSOwy.org.”
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Kozak said the marketing campaign has already resulted in 40 new applications in the county since the signs went up Sunday, and an additional 20 to 40 inquiries requests each day.
“Last year, we actually hired 72 people as a result of our marketing strategy. The feedback we got from the law enforcement officers we hired from the Denver area was that it was an effective campaign strategy,” he said. Told.
Police watch the Occupy Denver protest march through downtown Denver on November 5, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (REUTERS/Rick Wilking )
Kozak said the police officers and deputies hired by Laramie Coutee enjoy their jobs because they get to do their job and the community supports them.
“We wondered if there was a better way to get the attention of people in law enforcement in the area who were frustrated with not being able to do their jobs, especially people who were thinking about going into law enforcement. “Don't waste your time working in law enforcement in a city that won't let you do the job,” he said. “Please come here to Wyoming. We welcome you.”
Johnston's office said the idea that the city is defending the police is a misconception.
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“The City of Denver's adjustments to the Denver Police Department budget were carefully coordinated with safety leaders and Mayor Johnston to ensure that the department's public services were not affected,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Saying that the City of Denver is 'defunding the police' is an intentional misrepresentation of budget cuts, when in reality it is delaying the purchase of new furniture and defunding the first cadet class.” In fact, Mayor Johnston has invested millions of dollars to add 167 new police officers in 2024 to keep the city safe for all Denver residents. We will continue to invest in public safety.”
While the campaign has received mixed support, many comments on the Laramie County Sheriff's Office post expressed enthusiasm for the move.
“Thank you to all the residents of Laramie County for voting for an aggressive sheriff who isn't afraid to ruffle feathers,” one user said.
“I live in Denver, which is great,” said another.
Photo of Denver Police Department sign. (FOX News Digital/Lisa Benatan)
A third posted: “There are still a lot of good cops around Denver. Maybe a few will be enough to bring them to Wyoming. Congratulations.”
Kozak told Fox News Digital that he received several calls Tuesday from Denver community members wanting to fund the billboard.
“They're kind of dissatisfied with the direction of politics in Denver, so they were happy to see the billboard, so they actually want to send a check to pay for it,” he said. Ta.
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Kendall Tietz is a production assistant at Fox News Digital.