HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110946.tiff D A
April5, 2011 DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
To the Downtown Business Community: O R E E L E 1/2 COLORADO
Recently there have been some safety concerns in the owt#D s'tr that the Downtown Development Authority
would like to address. Please be assured that we take the security of our downtown business employees and customers
very seriously and are in constant communication with the G,reeley-Police Department about all crime issues in the
downtown area. We also want to place recent reported criminal activity in context and provide every business and
employee with a set of common sense tips to help us discourage criminal activity in the future.
First, I would like to clear up a couple of misconceptions that were reported in the Greeley Tribune in the last couple of
months. In January,the Tribune reported an erroneous address for a robbery that actually occurred outside our district
on the 1900 block of 9`h street(not at 9m avenue and 9`h street). In February, a stabbing story near Lincoln Park did not
reveal that the parties had prior disputes and the assailant actually stabbed himself.
There was a most unfortunate incident last week in the alley between the 8th and 9`h Street Plaza where a downtown
businessman was assaulted over the lunch hour by 2 men as he approached the alley from the walk-through. They
pushed him up against the brick wall and attempted to steal his wallet. Chief Garner and his staff are actively pursuing
the investigation of this incident.
There have been several reported car break-ins in the district. In every case,valuables were left in the vehicle in plain
sight. There have actually been more of these types of break-ins occurring in west Greeley shopping areas and
throughout the Greeley community.
The DDA takes these incidents very seriously. We are investigating a variety of methods to improve both the reality and
the perception of downtown safety, including the possibility of installing security cameras in selected areas.
The Greeley Police Department works very closely with the DDA on any safety issues. A police officer in charge of the
Downtown area, Greg Tarantino, attends our monthly board meetings to discuss any issues. Police Chief Jerry Garner is
always available to us and gives us the facts of any incident. We regularly see officers patrolling and responding to any
calls in a very short time period.
To discuss this or any other downtown issues, please stop by and see us in our new office space at 802 9th Street,or call
us at 356-6775. We would appreciate it if you would share this letter and the attached Safety Tips with all of your
employees and residents you may have in apartments and lofts. Compared to other urban areas,we have a very low
crime rate in our downtown area, but we will always strive to eliminate or deter all crimes in the district. We are indeed
fortunate to have rapid response from our police department and will work with them to increase the tools to help them
make Downtown a safe place to live,work and play.
Sincerely,
aGGkly
Pam Bricker
Executive Director
2011-0946
802 9th Street,Suite 100
Greeley,Colorado 80631
970-356-6775 F.970-304-1851
www.downtowngreeley.com
Cornet Cck}lov) DISTRICT
Safety Tips
If you suspect any illegal activity or threat to safety, Chief Garner has asked that you report it by
dialing 911.
Let the police and DDA know about suspicious activity or safety concerns you have by calling
350-9600. (non emergency number)
Do not leave valuables in your vehicles where they can be seen. Put them in the trunk of your
car or take them inside with you.
Consider installing security cameras in your business, or at least posting video surveillance
warning signs and/or fake security cameras.
Set up a "buddy system" with neighboring businesses and program their cell phone number
into your phone for quick calls for help.
Let the DDA, Police and neighboring businesses know when you suspect shoplifters.
If you have been approached or are bothered by panhandlers and vagrants, please report
this to the Greeley Police giving their description and location 350-9600 or 911 if you feel
threatened.
Criminals tend to watch businesses for repetitive behavior. Do not routinely leave your
business with visible deposit bags at the same time on a daily basis (or end of day).
If you find graffiti or vandalism anywhere in the district, please let the police know by calling
350-9600 and if it is your property, please cover graffiti as soon as possible.
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