Pueblo clerk hopes more officers will quell shoplifting, burglaries

A Pueblo store clerk is speaking out about low police staffing levels, hoping more patrol officers will be coming to the streets.

The clerk didn’t want to go on camera but said shoplifting and burglaries have become more violent.

“Ninety-five percent of them, when you approach them, their first things is ‘you can’t touch me.’ They know, threatening the cops have been called, they laugh at you. It’s like, I’ll be gone by the time they get here,” he said.

Last year, police told the Pueblo Chieftain there were more than 1,500 burglaries in Pueblo.

Of the 13 officer recruits who graduated from the police academy in December, four already resigned.

Chief Luis Velez told the Chieftain the reasons ranged from fear and discomfort of the job.

There is a police academy underway with seven recruits. Another academy is scheduled in the fall and the department hopes that will fill out their ranks.