Pueblo crime report emphasizes gang problem

the crime rate last year in pueblo was nearly double the national average. that report tonight from the city’s chief of police. and while he’s confident the steps they’ve taken to keep people safe are enough … the police union isn’t so sure. krdo newschannel 13’s greg miller was there for the report’s release. he’s live at police headquarters tonight. greg… some of these numbers are jarring. heather – the concern is the violence won’t stop. gang- related calls, shots fired calls and drive- by shootings were all up by at least 50 for the year. while nearly everyone agrees there’s a problem in town, the steps announced by the chief have been met with criticism. 465 gang- related calls to police last year. 722 calls reporting shots fired. – something police chief luis velez admits has to stop. 3:32 really sent a shockwave through the community. it also sent a shockwave through the police department. his solution – a partnership with the u.s. marshall’s service – utilizing a databse to better identify gang members. sot:take the information they have, and pour it into database that takes that info into actionable information for our patrol officers to go after. and more cops on the streets – with eight recruits slated to start pueblo’s police academy next month. standup: velez says the increased enforcement will make the streets of pueblo safer. but the police union says he’s not doing enough. sot: these are not new problems. the union wants the chief and the city manager to do more… sot: the additional officers, the city will still be woefully short of where they need to be. – citing a public survey that 95 percent of the public has lost faith in him. sot: somebody needs to step up and take control, make things better. sot: i think he’s doing a really good job, demographically he’s doing good. velez wouldn’t comment on the survey or the union’s response… but did say this – 3:46: we’re going to take every step, every measure, that i can think of to address the gang problems in this city. remaining confident his steps – will make pueblo safer. when that survey first was released, the velez responded saying that all efforts were being south to alleviate concerns and frustrations. live in pueblo, greg miller, krdo newschannel 13.