[ad_1]
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — After several businesses were vandalized, owners are concerned about an increase in crime in an east Colorado Springs business park.
Ranch Foods Direct, a butcher shop, nearly lost its supply of meat last week after someone cut the copper pipe to the company’s refrigeration system and cut off the power.
“They may have found $500 worth of copper, but we risked losing $1,000,000 worth of equipment and damage,” said Mike Kallikeret, owner of Ranch Foods Direct.
It wasn’t the first time the company had run afoul of crime since opening its location on Town Circle Drive six years ago. In October, surveillance video from a neighboring business showed a truck pulled into the property in the middle of the night and an employee’s car burst into flames.
“Our problem is worsening to the point of vandalism,” Calicut said. “I mean, we’ve never had a car burn before we moved here.”
The Colorado Springs crime map shows locations in the city for burglaries, thefts and vandalism over the past three years. The worst areas are downtown, where there are many people and businesses. But a small focal point in east Colorado Springs is the location of the Town Circle Business Park, just south of Platte Street.
Thirteen detectives walked through the complex Tuesday and spoke to at least five business owners over the past two years about crimes at their businesses, including stolen vehicles and equipment and vandalism.
“Does society want small businesses? If we want small businesses, how do we best protect these businesses from vandalism and violence?” Callicrate said.
Ron Garcia, owner of Solar Design Colorado, said a trailer parked in front of his shop was stolen overnight two years ago. Then last week, at least eight businesses had their air conditioning units stolen – the second time in the past year. A surveillance video captured a man on a bike cutting the copper wire behind the AC unit in that crime spree.
The Colorado Springs Police Department attributed the 13 copper thefts to crimes of opportunity.
“There are signs that say cameras, but it doesn’t stop anyone from coming to the area,” Garcia said
The owners point to the growing homeless encampment on the street as a reason for the increase in crime.
“I think our problem is exacerbated by the homelessness problem and all the economic problems in our community,” Calicut said.
The crimes were reported to CSPD, but despite the surveillance video, the agency said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the crimes and they were an open investigation.
Callicrate thinks otherwise. He said businesses on campus require video surveillance and police department efforts to spot crimes.
“I think the community needs to know that we don’t have a good response to small businesses, especially in this city,” said Callicrate of the Colorado Springs Police Department. “We need help.”
[ad_2]
Source link
