Pueblo Police report high number of ‘improper emergency calls’ about homeless people
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo's Police Chief is warning citizens about a rise in the improper use of 911 for non-emergency issues, mainly reports about homeless people. Chief Noeller told KRDO those calls are pulling officers from more serious situations happening around the city.
According to data presented to the city council during a work session on March 20, 2% of the department's calls from January to March 14, 2023, were regarding homelessness. During the presentation of the data, PPD said the issue is impacting code enforcement and other areas within the department.
Pueblo Police listed the calls in order of the most common received by dispatch:
- Unwanted parties
- Burglary – squatting, entering vacant properties
- Trespass/Loitering
- Disturbances – Most commonly at convenience stores
- Theft from a merchant – commonly at convenience stores
- Illegal Burn
- Wildfires
Noeller said they don't normally track data like this but were able to pull the numbers to give the city council an idea of what officers are facing.
The chief explained while every situation is different, he urges residents to use the non-emergency line if it's not an urgent need and save the emergency line for emergencies.
"Every call diverts resources from one thing or another," explained Noeller.
Noeller said the department has a group of officers called the DICE team that takes the lead on investigating crimes most commonly associated with homelessness.
He explained the DICE team should be responding to the calls to prevent a patrol officer from being pulled from an actual emergency.
Their emergency call line can be reached at (719) 553-2502.
Noeller said this issue is very complex and he said the work session last week was a move in the right direction to address this issue.
"We're working together to try to address the issue. It takes a team, it takes a community," said Noeller.
