Police address Pueblo community’s crime concerns

Gang violence and property crimes have people concerned in Pueblo.

Officers addressed the problems to the community Saturday in the Crime Prevention Seminar and Safety Fair at Pueblo Community College.

Even though the number of robberies and burglaries went down from 2014 to 2015, John Howell said he is still concerned by the crimes, since he was a victim of a robbery.

“The kids witnessed it. They were terrified. It was a frightening experience,” he said.

Pete Falletta said gang violence is what worries him, since Pueblo has had 16 gang-related homicides in the last two years.

“As a former employee in city schools, I have seen the gang problem increase over the last several years,” he said.

Crimes have brought a trend of concern for people in the Pueblo Community, which is why police organized the seminar.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to bring people in and try to give them some education about what’s going on in police department and what’s going on in the community,” Police Chief Luis Velez said.

Since the police are still looking for answers to unsolved crimes, including two homicides this year, they hope putting all the data and information out there in the seminar will gain them more trust from people and make it easier for people to talk to the police.

“If we can be transparent in everything that we do then I can think that bring a level of trust back up in the public,” Velez said.

Cybercrimes were also addressed at the seminar.