Westside Briefs:
Environmental education training

       Training sessions for volunteer environmental education program leaders are scheduled Friday mornings in February at the Bear Creek Nature Center.
       All will be from 8 a.m. to noon. The dates are Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
       The training will qualify volunteers to assist at either the Bear Creek or Fountain Creek nature centers.
       Reservations for the training are requested with Bear Creek interpreter Paula Megorden by Jan. 29 at 520-6388.
      
       SVP near Spruce/Bijou
       Colorado Springs Police have announced that a man identified by the state of Colorado as a Sexually Violent Predator is on “unsupervised release” and living as a homeless person in the area of Bijou and Spruce streets. His name is Rosendo Garza. According to a police description, he is 49 years old, 5-foot-3, 149 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
       Because he has moved to Colorado Springs, “public notification is required by law,” a police press release states.
       For more information, call the Police Department's Registered Sex Offender Unit at 444-7522.
      
       Catalytic converter thefts
       Colorado Springs Police are reporting what they describe as a “new crime pattern in the city” - the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles.
       Catalytic converters contain precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium with a value to thieves of up to $200, a press release states.
       Thefts typically occur at night. Most vulnerable are vehicles that sit high off the ground, parked outside. Police advise citizens to park their vehicles in well-lit areas, or places close to public view.
       If anyone has information about these crimes, call Detective Sgt. Michael Finn at 385-2128, or they can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 634-STOP.

Westside Pioneer/press releases