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Downtown crime worries city councilor
Analysis doesn't show spike above average
Herald Staff Writer
But a crime analysis by the Durango Police Department shows crime is not unusual on the thoroughfare considering the number of people who occupy the stretch day and night, said Chief David Felice.
While Durango ranks above average for property crime and violent crime compared with cities of similar size, Main Avenue doesn't appear to have an excessive problem with violence and gang activity, Felice said.
Of the 61 assaults reported this year citywide, only nine occurred between Fifth and 14th streets on Main Avenue, according to a five-page report submitted to the city of Durango. The numbers are from Jan. 1 through June 22.
Of the 171 criminal-mischief reports - including property crimes such as graffiti - only 24 incidents occurred on that stretch of Main Avenue.
"Our biggest issue downtown seems to be traffic accidents and enforcement and parking complaints, followed by suspicious calls, alarms and citizen assists," Felice wrote in his memorandum to the city.
Lyon requested the information, expressing a concern about crime in Durango, particularly violent crime between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Main Avenue.
He was especially concerned about a June 19 stabbing in the 700 block of Main Avenue.
"Certainly, bad things happen to good people," Lyon said during an interview Friday. "But I think it's of great concern to all of us when things like that happen."
As councilors approach the budget season, Lyon said he wanted more information about downtown crime to determine if the city needs to devote more resources to public safety.
In his letter to fellow councilors, Lyon wrote: "I have been concerned about crime in Durango for some time and have spoken with others who have expressed that same concern."
But the number of assaults decreased from 2007 to 2008, and they are down from 2008 to year-to-date, Felice said.
But felony assaults - those that involve serious injury or the use of weapons - have steadily increased over the years, he said.
"Although assaults may be relatively stable, there is some fluctuation with felony assaults increasing, which concerns us," Felice said. "But again, it's not unique to Durango."
The analysis by Felice looked at crime citywide over a 10-year period. It also looked at crime between Fifth and 14th streets on Main Avenue. Felice was unable to effectively analyze crime in the greater downtown area, including on side streets and on East Second Avenue, until a new database is implemented in September.
Between 1999 and 2008, the average number of calls handled by the Durango Police Department was 34,445 per year. The low occurred in 2000, when the agency handled 30,612 calls, and the high occurred in 2003, when the agency handled 39,118 calls.
The police department handled 32,900 calls in 2008, down 4.5 percent from the 10-year average.
"We currently project to handle fewer calls in 2009 than in 2008, however, this may change as we add officers to the patrol division," Felice wrote.
Citywide, there were 111 violent crimes and 829 property crimes in 2008. The in-town population was 16,205 last year.
When compared with cities of similar size, Durango ranks above-average in violent crimes and property crimes.
That may be because the citizenry has a good deal of confidence in its police department and is more willing to report crimes, Felice said.
shane@durangoherald.com
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