Old Town Fort Collins Increase Officer Presence

What is the reason that the city of Fort Collins is increasing the size of the Police presence in Old Town? According to the Coloradoan, the number of officers assigned to Old Town has grown from nine to thirteen in the past week. While criminal activity has actually decreased, the increased numbers most likely can be attributed to the rising number of suspicious activity incidents involving transients. Reports of transient contact with local authorities, has more than doubled since 2010, with the 2015 total of 261, just twenty away from last years number.

The Coloradoan quoted Lt. Jeremy Yonce, who felt that the "Increase in issues with transients has to do with changes in the city’s panhandling ordinance." Apparently, after a lawsuit from earlier this year, involving the ACLU, alleging that the police were infringing upon free-speech of homeless panhandlers. The City decided to remove some of the provisions of the "aggressive" ordinance, that would have deterred transients in the past.

The Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association, Jason Dennison, was also quoted by The Coloradoan, that he also as noticed the "uptick in negative behavior" from transients, and is hoping, like many Old Town business owners. That the increased Police presence will “address these issues," of the increased suspicious activity incidents involving transients.