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Tag: Public safety

El Paso County sheriff transfers 19 illegal immigrant offenders to ICE
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denvergazette.com, Approved, Local

El Paso County sheriff transfers 19 illegal immigrant offenders to ICE

By Aidan Hulting | Denver Gazette Nineteen people who the El Paso County Sheriff's Office says were in the country illegally, and have allegedly committed crimes in El Paso County, are now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. This marks the second list the El Paso County Sheriff's Office has released this summer detailing its ongoing cooperation with ICE. “As part of our continued commitment to transparency, I am once again releasing a list of individuals and their associated criminal charges related to the safe and secure transfer of custody to our federal partners at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “We will continue to provide this information in a timely manner to demonstrate compliance with Colorad...
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They never saw it coming: Kerrville flood sparks call for weather readiness
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Rocky Mountain Voice, National, Top Stories

They never saw it coming: Kerrville flood sparks call for weather readiness

By RMV Staff At least 82 people lost their lives in Kerrville when floodwaters tore through the area in the middle of the night. Families had no warning. Rain poured harder and faster than forecasted. In Kerrville, the flood was already doing damage before most people knew it was coming. Surging rapidly in the darkness, the Guadalupe River caught sleeping Texans off guard. A Western Colorado weather aficionado contacted RMV following the tragedy to urge more people to take advantage of advanced mobile tools. “As a weather enthusiast with 55 years of experience, I’ve seen major advances in the past decade, including apps that let you track storm signatures and receive early warning alerts,” he said. “Radar Omega puts that in the palm of your hands.” He described receiving an Eme...
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Feds Sweep Up Murderers, Rapists, and Illegals in Massive Raid
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National, Approved, New York Post

Feds Sweep Up Murderers, Rapists, and Illegals in Massive Raid

By Joe Marino | The New York Post They brought the hammer down on the worst of the worst. Federal authorities have swept up 264 wanted criminals — including two illegal migrants wanted for sex crimes — in New Jersey in an ongoing mission dubbed “Operation Apex Hammer” that nabbed suspects wanted for murder, robbery and sexual offenses, including those against children. Those arrested include 17 homicide suspects, 95 gang members, including several others wanted for serious violent and sexual offenses, federal officials said. U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. and Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba called the collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement “a major success in combating violent crime and restoring public safety.” “We are doing multiple cases at once to m...
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Bailey: Violent crime up 30% in Colorado, 28% in the Springs—why?
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denvergazette.com, Approved, State

Bailey: Violent crime up 30% in Colorado, 28% in the Springs—why?

By Tatiana Bailey | Commentary, Denver Gazette There’s been a lot of attention in the media regarding rising crime within Colorado Springs. As someone who works closely with public data, I always try to avoid sensationalism and instead ask: What’s driving this, and how do we compare to the U.S. and other cities? When you look at U.S. trends overall and specific comparison cities, there are, indeed, some alarming trends. Crime rates in the U.S. between 2018 and 2024 are virtually identical. However, the state of Colorado and the city of Colorado Springs have both seen double-digit increases in the rate of violent crimes per 100,000 population. Both our state and region’s violent crime rate have increased by roughly 30% while the U.S. rate is relatively steady increasing 2...
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Garbo: America’s $16.4 billion wake-up call—the largest healthcare fraud in U.S. history
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, National, Top Stories

Garbo: America’s $16.4 billion wake-up call—the largest healthcare fraud in U.S. history

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The United States has just witnessed the largest healthcare fraud takedown in its history. Over 324 individuals - including 96 licensed medical professionals - stand accused of orchestrating and profiting from a sprawling $16.4 billion scheme that defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and the American taxpayer.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxp69sQDnlk This is not a bureaucratic misstep or clerical oversight. It is ideological rot - a moral collapse within a system trusted to care for the sick, the elderly, and the most vulnerable. Let’s begin with what is encouraging: this takedown required skill, intelligence, courage, and the mobilization of federal and state law enforcement at scale. Agents, prosecutors, analysts, an...
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Released, rearrested and now accused again: Roybal-Smith case ignites parole reform debate
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Top Stories, Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Released, rearrested and now accused again: Roybal-Smith case ignites parole reform debate

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Denver Police arrested 38-year-old Ricky Lee Roybal-Smith early Monday morning, July 1, following the death of his cellmate at the Downtown Denver Detention Center. The alleged homicide came just hours after Roybal-Smith was jailed on unrelated charges—less than a day after two Aurora stabbings. Roybal-Smith’s criminal history spans nearly two decades and includes convictions for assault, felony menacing, DUI-related vehicular assault, and obtaining controlled substances by fraud. He’s also faced repeated parole violations and multiple arrests involving weapons. Despite this record, he was granted early release in 2023. Denver Police said deputies found an unresponsive man in a shared jail cell around 2:15 a.m. Monday. Off...
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Givas: CNN Puts ICE in the Crosshairs: ‘Sickening and Dangerous’ Says Enforcement Director
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National, Approved, The Western Journal

Givas: CNN Puts ICE in the Crosshairs: ‘Sickening and Dangerous’ Says Enforcement Director

By Nick Givas | The Western Journal Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd M. Lyons slammed CNN Monday, accusing the network of putting his officers in danger by publicizing an app that allows users to track their location. “CNN’s promotion of an ‘ICE spotting’ app is reckless and irresponsible,” Lyons said in a statement on ICE’s website. “Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs is sickening. My officers and agents are already facing a 500% increase in assaults, and going on live television to announce an app that lets anyone zero in on their locations is like inviting violence against them with a national megaphone.” He added, “CNN is willfully endangering the lives of officers who put their lives on the l...
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Grand Junction officials question costs and business revenue loss from bike lane project
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The Business Times, Approved, Local

Grand Junction officials question costs and business revenue loss from bike lane project

By Brandon Leuallen | The Business Times Plans to finalize protected bike lanes on Fourth and Fifth Streets this summer could cost the City of Grand Junction additional money in curb cut work and remove more downtown parking spaces. That raises a broader conversation about the cost of implementation and the city’s downtown parking system, including the financial viability of potential changes. Curb Cuts and Parking Losses The vote to revert to two lanes with a protected bike lane may require cutting curbs at intersections where there is currently not enough space to fit both vehicle lanes and the bike lane. This cost was not included in the May 29 special meeting when the City Council reversed a prior decision to end the pilot project. Councilmember Anna Stout asked, “So ...
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[UPDATED]: The $13 billion cost of fentanyl to Colorado’s families, budgets and communities
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, State, Top Stories

[UPDATED]: The $13 billion cost of fentanyl to Colorado’s families, budgets and communities

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice [UPDATED – July 3, 2025]: This story has been updated to include comments from Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly on Colorado’s fentanyl laws and enforcement challenges. Each Colorado taxpayer carries the burden of the fentanyl crisis, and in 2024, that amounted to about $2,220 per resident. A June report from the Common Sense Institute estimated the total cost for Colorado at $13.1 billion. This financial burden becomes reality in emergency healthcare services, preventative programs and lost productivity. But there’s also the deep emotional toll on families shattered by addiction and loss. Despite rising pressure to prevent overdose deaths and target traffickers, a 2024 bill to increase penalties for fentanyl posses...
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‘I’ve talked to fire chiefs—they’re scared’: Pueblo confronts growing homeless concerns
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Approved, Fox21, Local

‘I’ve talked to fire chiefs—they’re scared’: Pueblo confronts growing homeless concerns

By Hunter Phipps | Fox21 (PUEBLO, Colo.) — For people who live in the Bessemer neighborhood in Pueblo, they say things seem to be getting worse as the days go by. It’s why they decided to take their concerns to Pueblo City Council Members and speak out during the council’s work session on Monday evening. “It’s all over town from each and everybody’s district, we need our city back,” said Betty Finley, a resident who lives in the Bessemer neighborhood. One neighbor speaking out feels like more and more problems like drug use and trash are showing up, and feels helpless when trying to find anyone to help. “Right next door to us is another drug house, and it’s a revolving door for the homeless in and out, there’s people living in that backyard,” another neighbor who spoke out to c...
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