PUEBLO — Recently released data shows that Pueblo's crime rate decreased from 2019 to 2020, the same downward trend that's been happening every year since 2017.
"We're happy. 4% is not a great percentage, but it's a positive way. It's a positive direction," said Pueblo Police Department's Information Officer Frank Ortega.
Although the rates between 2019 and 2020 only went down 4%, the total rates have decreased by over 20% since 2017.
Johny and Lila Snyder moved to Pueblo about three years ago from Denver. They had been warned that Pueblo was crime ridden,.
"We heard that before we moved down here, and I've not seen it," said Johny. "The thing is, where there's crime… We don't go to those parts of town."
According to Ortega, the downward trend in crime began when they received more money from Measure 2B, which raised the sales tax and helped hire over 20 new officers. Jeff Shaw, the President of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, says having this data on paper will be helpful when trying to grow the city.
"When we get a chance to sit down with prospects and businesses and walk them through the community, they understand and see how safe and what a wonderful community it is," said Shaw. This just helps confirm that for us on that first look when they look at us."
However, some people in Pueblo contributed to the conversation on social media, saying that the crime rate is only down because so many cases go "unreported".
PPD did not offer a formal response to these claims, but did say their phones are constantly ringing. Ortega also stressed that PPD needs the help of the community to continue decreasing crime.
"We need to kind of work together, I mean it aint a police problem. It's a community problem, and we need to work together to reduce this crime rate"
Another option for people is to contact Pueblo Crime Stoppers and report any crimes they witness.
