Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Public safety

In Aurora, Danielle Jurinsky doesn’t talk change—she works for it
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

In Aurora, Danielle Jurinsky doesn’t talk change—she works for it

By Shaina Cole | Contributing Writer, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Since taking office in 2021, Danielle Jurinsky has thrown herself into Aurora’s challenges. She’s backed measures to curb crime and pushed to ease the load on small businesses and residents when it comes to local taxes. But Jurinsky’s work hasn’t stopped at city hall — she’s known for showing up at neighborhood cleanups, community events, and talking face-to-face with the people she represents. One of her biggest moments came when she raised the alarm about a violent gang terrorizing residents at local apartment complexes— while others looked the other way. -https://www.danielleforaurora.com/about Taking the risk to tell the truth about Tren de Aragua She made national headlines when she publicly ...
Colorado’s car theft crisis: How policy mistakes fueled years of record losses
Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Colorado’s car theft crisis: How policy mistakes fueled years of record losses

By Mike O’Donnell | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website highlights that there were 95,564 fewer reported motor vehicle thefts across the United States in calendar year 2024 than there were in 2008, a decrease of around 10%. But not in Colorado where, due to policy choices by politicians and the court system, the number of motor vehicle thefts increased by 131%. The Colorado Crime Statistics website shows that the number of reported motor vehicle thefts in the state increased from 11,004 in 2008 to 25,424 in 2024. And 2024 was a much better year for Coloradans than in 2020 when 28,246 vehicles were stolen. It was also better than in 2021 when there were 37,249 thefts; 2022 saw a record 41,390 vehicles stolen (113 per day), and 2023 when t...
Data Shows Fewer Repeat Offenders Yet More Violent Crime in Colorado
The Denver Gazette, Approved, State

Data Shows Fewer Repeat Offenders Yet More Violent Crime in Colorado

By Marissa Ventrelli | The Denver Gazette Colorado’s latest justice data reveals an apparent contradiction: while fewer offenders are returning to prison, violent crime is climbing across the state. A detailed analysis released this month shows Colorado’s recidivism rate has fallen sharply—among the steepest declines nationwide. Yet the same dataset shows that violent offenses, including assault and homicide, have steadily increased since 2013. Analysts point to bail reforms, reduced arrests, and shifting sentencing priorities as major contributors. Supporters of these policies say they prevent unnecessary incarceration, while critics contend they have weakened accountability and deterrence. The findings come as Colorado lawmakers continue to debate whether recent justice refor...
Colorado Takes Hard Line on Casino Cheating, Launches Lifetime Bans
Canon City Daily Record, Approved, State

Colorado Takes Hard Line on Casino Cheating, Launches Lifetime Bans

By: Noelle Phillips | Canyon City Daily Record The state's Limited Gaming Control Commission launched the 'involuntary exclusion' list in 2024. Serial swindlers and men prone to violence are among the seven people Colorado’s gambling regulators have banned for life from casinos since the state created a system last year for barring problem bettors. The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission in July 2024 added the first person to its “involuntary exclusion” list, which is posted online and distributed to casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek so security officers and other casino workers can identify the offenders and eject them if they show up to gamble. Those on the list are also prohibited from placing wagers on sports betting apps. “...
Record Number of ICE Transfers Reported by El Paso County
Colorado Politics, Approved, Local

Record Number of ICE Transfers Reported by El Paso County

By Cleo Westin | Colorado Politics Twenty six people with criminal charges were transferred from the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement from July to September, according to a news release by the office Monday. Deputies also detained 14 additional individuals with criminal charges who were released “before ICE authorities could take custody.” Wednesday’s announcement brings the total number of people transferred into ICE custody by the office this year to 45, according to several releases by the office. The sheriff’s office transferred 14 people to ICE custody in September, which is higher than any other month this year. The next highest months were April and July which each had seven transfers. “As we approach the 2026 L...
‘No Kings’ 2.0 Protest Brings Arrests and Tighter Security
The Denver Gazette, Approved, Local

‘No Kings’ 2.0 Protest Brings Arrests and Tighter Security

By: Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette Denver police on Sunday morning confirmed authorities arrested 12 people during follow-up demonstrations Saturday, after tens of thousands flooded downtown streets for the “No Kings” afternoon protests. Some charges include assault to a peace officer and aggravated assault, according to a Denver Police Department spokesperson, who confirmed arrests with The Denver Gazette on Sunday morning. The first incident reported happened at around 3:30 p.m., when many “No Kings” protesters left the downtown area after a peaceful protest, according to the police. Lincoln Street remained closed at 14th Avenue and Colfax. Broadway and 14th Avenue, including other roads near the Capitol, were reopened at the time. The “No Kings” protest was scheduled ...
What the real crime stats show: America’s violence surge is no illusion
Real Clear Politics, Approved, National

What the real crime stats show: America’s violence surge is no illusion

By John R. Lott Jr. | Real Clear Politics During last year’s presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Trump said violent crime was rising. ABC moderator David Muir immediately fact-checked him, claiming, “President Trump, as you know, the FBI says overall violent crime is coming down in this country…” Nearly every major media outlet echoed that narrative. National Public Radio ran the headline, “Violent crime is dropping fast in the U.S. – even if Americans don’t believe it.” The Wall Street Journal declared, “Violent Crime Rate Falls Sharply After Pandemic Surge.” Vox insisted, “Violent crime is plummeting.” Axios reported, “New data shows violent crime dropping sharply in major U.S. cities.” However, a new Bureau of Just...
Colorado Officials Admit “Unacceptable” Error That Freed Parolee Before Deadly Chase
CBS News, Approved, State

Colorado Officials Admit “Unacceptable” Error That Freed Parolee Before Deadly Chase

By Jesse Sarles | CBS Colorado The Colorado Department of Corrections says a mistake made by their department allowed a man who violated parole to walk free. That ultimately is what led to Tuesday's chase involving law enforcement and head-on crash which resulted in the death of an innocent person. The double fatal crash happened on Highway 6 in Clear Creek County. Steven Ainsworth, 51, died when his car got knocked into Clear Creek by the car Christopher Moore, 29, was driving. Both men died and a woman in the car with Moore was hurt. CDOC officials now say Moore, who had a lengthy criminal record, should have been behind bars. Most recently, in 2022, he was sentenced to prison in criminal cases from Summit County and Eagle County. On June 9, he was released on parole. ...
Police Arrest Student After Threat Against Ralston Valley High School Following Evergreen Tragedy
kdvr.com, Approved, Local

Police Arrest Student After Threat Against Ralston Valley High School Following Evergreen Tragedy

By: Heather Willard | KDVR FOX31 DENVER (KDVR) — A juvenile is in police custody after allegedly making a false threat against Ralston Valley High School just hours after the Evergreen High School shooting. The Arvada Police Department said that it arrested the suspect on Oct. 14 after investigating hundreds of Safe2Tell reports related to the social media threat directed toward the high school. The FBI also assisted with the investigation at that time, the police department said. The threat led to about 1,100 students choosing not to attend school on Sept. 11 — the day after the Evergreen High School shooting. The social media threat involved a photo shared with multiple students on Snapchat that allegedly showed a rifle, ammunition and a magazine lying on a table. A text capt...
Rasmussen: Most Voters Approve Trump’s National Guard Deployment
Just The News, Approved, National

Rasmussen: Most Voters Approve Trump’s National Guard Deployment

By: Misty Severi | Just the News The Rasmussen Reports poll found that 52% of likely U.S. voters supported the president's decision to deploy the troops, including 39% who strongly support Trump's policy. The majority of voters in a poll released Monday agreed that President Donald Trump was right to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago and Portland to defend Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies, despite a federal judge that blocked him from doing so. The poll comes after a judge blocked Trump from sending troops to Portland last week, ruling that the deployment violated both federal law and the 10th Amendment.  The Rasmussen Reports poll found that 52% of likely U.S. voters supported the president's decision to deploy the troops, including ...