Local Law Enforcement is Concerned for Public Safety as New Bills are Being Presented

PHOTOGRAPHER TYLER WILLIAMS

Local Chief of Police attended a city council meeting to present his concerns for the community over new bills being presented.

NAYELI HERNANDEZ BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The regular Grand Junction City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 7th, consisted of a few notable topics, a proclamation making April 11-17th National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week and an opposition to a bill that brings forth concerns for community safety. 

Community safety is a major portion of concern for the local police department with the introduction of Senate Bill 21-062, which was introduced in an effort to reduce jail populations in the State of Colorado.  

According to the Grand Junction Chief of Police, Doug Shoemaker, the bill includes vague language as to when it is appropriate for law enforcement officials to make an arrest. He presented an opposition to this bill, addressing the police department’s worries when it comes to the community and law enforcement officials. 

“Taken away the ability to make an arrest undercuts our capability to protect our citizens and everyone in our community deserves the right to be protected,” Shoemaker said. 

An individual who broke into a downtown business committed a variety of crimes and was arrested. The chief of police explained that if this bill was passed, individuals like this one, would not be able to get arrested under the new regulations. 

“Under the jail standards at the time, the same standards which would be codified if senate bill 62 passed, since he committed a burglary, a felony 4 to a business, and destroyed less than 100,000 dollars of property, he could not be taken to jail,” Shoemaker said. “He was released on a summons and then days later went back to the property to harass the business owners.”

Duke Wortmann, mayor of Grand Junction, expressed his concerns for the community and support for local law enforcement.

“I fear for the citizens in our communities because of things like this,” Wortmann said. 

The Grand Junction City Council members voted 6-0 with one abstaining for this resolution, saying that the passage of this bill would negatively impact the community and the next step is to urge legislators to reject it.