More than 40 percent of Pueblo residents satisfied with overall performance from the police department; survey reports

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The ETC Institute administered a survey to Pueblo residents during Spring 2022. The purpose of the study is to gather community opinions and feedback on the current programs and the needs of the residents.

This is the seventh time this survey has been given out to residents in Pueblo. Each year, the satisfaction with the Pueblo Police Department has been decreasing. In 2010, 60 percent of people were satisfied with the police department's overall performance. A decade later, that number decreased by about nine percent. Now, it's down another seven percent, two years later.

However, one Pueblo resident, Rick Deppe, says Pueblo Police need more manpower.

"What they've been given to do the job with, they're doing great. Don't tie their hands up. These guys deserve our utmost respect all the time," said Deppe.

Pueblo police chief Chris Noeller said he is disappointed to hear the community's sentiment around his agency, but he attributes the survey results to the ongoing staffing shortage and the increase in crime.

Most people were unsatisfied with the road maintenance in Pueblo. 72 percent of respondents say the maintenance and public work services should receive the most emphasis over the next two years. Overall, the satisfaction with maintenance and public works went down significantly in 2010.

Justin Cote, a resident who has lived in Pueblo for over 30 years, says the roads could use more work.

"The roads here in Pueblo are okay because they're paved, but at the same time, there is a lot of poor condition of them with the cracks in the road and also a lot of dips and potholes," said Cote.

KRDO reached out to the mayor's office but received no comment. However, City of Pueblo Council Member, Dennis Flores says he is committed to ensuring road maintenance is a priority.

"It did not surprise me that they felt 'maintenance of City Streets' should be our first priority. This has been an issue during my first term on city council and it continues to be a problem. How did we get here? First, this is a national issue in that the Federal Government has done very little to help cities with 'infrastructure' dollars. Our budget stayed very flat during the recession and it did not turn around until last year were we saw a 22.5% increase in revenue. We normally have about 5 million available, and this year we will double that to 10 million."

You can learn more by viewing the 2022 City of Pueblo Community Survey here.