Pueblo Police under fire, but who’s to blame?

Pueblo Police are under fire, citizens over the past year have accused them of not doing enough to stop or solve crime, and for slow police response times.

“If they would be doing their job like they’re supposed to be doing, things like this wouldn’t be happening,” said Margaret, a victim of a home invasion robbery and beating. She was afraid to use her last because of the trauma she endured. Officers told her they would follow up wih her and patrol her neighborhood when she was released from the hospital. She told us they never did.

“Very frustrating,” Pueblo Business Owner CJ Hathaway told NewsChannel 13. She took $50,000 dollars worth of jewelry to Harding-Bulloch jewelers for cleaning and repairs in November of 2014. In May 2015 she was told to come pick it up.

“The shop was closed, they said they’d be back in a week,” said Hathaway, “I went back in a week and two weeks and 3 weeks, and it turned into months.”

So she went to Pueblo Police for help, “I went to the police on 2 or 3 occasions and they said it was a civil matter.”

Pueblo Businessman and former city council president Randy Thurston says these cases are just two of many, and the citizens are tired of it.

“There’s a frustration that exists in this community like I’ve never seen before,” Thurston said, “4 or 5 hour waits before somebody shows up, it’s unacceptable.”

Thurston said he believes the problem is not with the officers, but with the city management.

“I really think it needs to go to the city manager’s office and they need to take responsibility of providing what they should, which is providing good solid response times for the people of Pueblo and to get the results.”

According to Pueblo Police department records, police staffing has not changed much since 1974. Back then there were 194 sworn personnel. 40 years later, in 2014, there were 193.

During that same 40 year time span calls for service from the public shot up 123%. In 1974 there were 64,000 calls for service. In 2014, there were 142,000.

The city also annexed more land for police to cover. In 1974 the city was 32 square Miles. Today is is 52.

Officers who want to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation echo Thurston’s concerns. They say the city manager is focused only on the budget, not with what’s happening on the streets.

We brought that concern to City Manager Sam Azad.

“Do I go ahead and fund for another 20 police officers in our department? I can, but that has to be directed by council. There’s a certain amount of pot of monies provided through our taxation to me and the council expects me to divvy it up accordingly, so we can provide adequate amount of services to all citizens.”

Azad says, since tax revenues are starting to recover, it may be time to re-set budget priorities.

“Obviously council looks to me as city manager to provide recommendations, and without me waiting for council to set priorities I think I’m going to go to council and say it’s time to spend some money in public safety.”

He says he may recommend adding another 15 officers.

As for CJ Hathaway’s missing jewelry, police looked into it and found her $30,000 diamond and Alaskan gold ring at Irby Jewelers. It’s in the Union Historic District, the owner said she agreed to hold onto a small box of jewelry for Harding-Bulloch. She’s been surprised not many have come to pick it up.

If you’re one of those customers, bring your receipt so they can match it with the jewelry.

We tried, but have not been able to get a response from the owners of Harding-Bullock jewelers. The business is closed and the owner’s house is empty. There are notices on the door indicating it is now owned by a bank.

Hathaway is still missing her other jewelry valued at $20,000.