Grand Junction, Colorado
For Immediate Release
December 12, 2016
The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is pleased to announce a partnership with the City of Grand Junction to increase safety in the Downtown area. Reacting to feedback from citizens and Downtown merchants, the City put together a plan to increase police presence Downtown. In October the DDA board voted to approve the City’s plan, diverting a portion of DDA sales tax funds to pay for two new police officers who will be dedicated to the Downtown area.
Kirk Granum, DDA/BID board chairman commented about this new program.
“After hearing from our Downtown businesses about unlawful behavior happening in the Downtown area this summer, we are happy to be working with the City and GJPD to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone visiting Downtown. Downtown plays an important part in our community and the DDA wants to make sure it’s a welcoming place to all who enjoy it.”
The idea for a dedicated police presence came about after a successful pilot program last summer in which a small team of police officers who were temporarily reassigned to Downtown resulted in a noticeable difference in the level of illegal activity taking place.
The Downtown officers are anticipated to be in place by May 1.
The DDA is looking forward to the deployment of these two new officers and believes that this increased police presence will go a long way in combatting the issues that were experienced last summer.
For more information contact:
Allison Blevins, Downtown Grand Junction
970-255-4923
or
Sam Rainguet, City of Grand Junction
970-244-1507