Mayor Thompson's February Newsletter
Posted on 02/24/2023
As you all know, this month we lost one of our community’s very best, Fountain Police Officer Julian Becerra, and I offer again my most sincere condolences and prayers for his family as they deal with this very difficult time. Fountain is forever grateful for his service to our community, and we will always remember his service and sacrifice to protect all of us. Thank you for the outpouring of support to our Police Department by so many in our region, and we sincerely appreciate how everyone has been respectful of the privacy and wishes of the Becerra family.
A few weeks ago, I spoke publicly regarding our current security environment and what can be done to help ensure the safety of our neighborhoods, homes and families. Current conditions for our law enforcement are more challenging and dangerous than ever, and I think one of the important things we all can do, besides continuing to support our local first responders, is also let our lawmakers know that we want increased safety and security, and not additional conditions that allow criminals to thrive and prey on our citizens and businesses.
A bill currently in the Colorado General Assembly to keep an eye on is HB23-1169: Limit Arrest for Low-level Offenses. This bill focuses on petty crimes, such as theft of some property, or indecency, or even some forms of harassment and disorderly conduct. It sets a dangerous precedent that further restricts law enforcement, completely disregards victims of crimes, and emboldens those who commit offenses with an increasing sense of impunity and permissiveness. I would encourage everyone to visit the Colorado General Assembly website, Limit Arrest For Low-level Offenses | Colorado General Assembly, and review this bill for themselves. If you do not support it, please contact your representatives and the bill sponsors and make your voice heard! Together we can demand that our legislators support our community’s continued efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment, as we remain fully committed to do.