AURORA | Aurora and regional law enforcement officials at a town hall discussion backed surveillance technology, tough fentanyl penalties and the need for more resources to support community mental health and reduce recidivism.
Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly and Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain spoke at the Sept. 30 town hall meeting held by the Arapahoe County chapter of Colorado Citizenry. The newly formed group plans to offer political and civic engagement events, which the group says are non-partisan, although organizers promoted some conservative political candidates before the panel discussion began at the Angry Clover pub in Aurora.
Both Brown, a Democrat, and Weekly, a Republican, are up for reelection this November. Chamberlain’s position is unelected, and he was appointed by the Aurora city manager.
The conversation was moderated by Colorado Springs and Denver Gazette political columnist Jimmy Sengenberger. The event covered a variety of topics, including police recruitment, dropping crime rates and recently proposed and passed legislation, though a large portion of the discussion focused on police technology and responding to mental health issues and drug crimes.
All three police leaders agreed on the importance of technology, like automated license plate readers, which they said are a crucial tool for solving crimes. Chamberlain highlighted the recent assistance of traffic cameras in identifying a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run. He said the cameras help police be more precise and timely.
“If we get a car that’s involved in a hit-and-run, and it’s a black Chevy truck, we’re going to be out stopping every Chevy truck,” Chamberlain said. “Instead, we can get an ALPR hit on that car and (search for) damage on the right front corner panels or by part of the license plate. Then an officer can do the human component of following up.”
Brown called the tech a “silver bullet” for addressing crimes such as car theft and noted how it bolsters police capacity. In Arapahoe County, Brown said 46 ALPR cameras cover roughly 4,600 yards of roadway.
“It would take me about 200 deputies to collect all those photos that the ALPR cameras do on any given day but instead I can do it for $60,000 and 46 cameras,” Brown said. “We’re able to recover stolen vehicles. We’re able to get information on people as they set up to distribute illegal narcotics. We’re able to find at-risk individuals who go missing.”
The men acknowledged privacy and misuse concerns, but said guardrails can be put in place to minimize those issues, while still allowing police to utilize the crime-solving tech.
“I hope it doesn’t turn into throwing the baby out with bathwater,” Chamberlain said. “We can’t go back. This technology is so incredibly important and so imperative in what it allows us to do, especially in times of staffing issues. This is a force multiplier.”
Chamberlain said the tools can give “a voice to the voiceless,” pointing to an incident where a car was stolen in Denver with a baby in the back. Aurora police found the car within two hours, abandoned in an alley, thanks to cameras, which Chamberlain said saved the baby’s life.
Another hot topic the group discussed is the rise of fentanyl use and Proposition 132, a ballot measure which seeks to implement mandatory minimum sentences for possession and distribution of any amount of fentanyl.
Weekly highlighted his support of the measure, saying it’s needed to impose real penalties and give enforcement “teeth.” He said jails often provide resources for substance abuse.
“Sometimes an addict is safer on the inside than they are on the outside. And, again, I think there needs to be consequences for those decisions,” Weekly said. “Yes, they’re a user and they need help but guess what? That stint in jail might be the catalyst they need to get clean.”
Brown agreed, saying he advocates for a system that prosecutes people for possessing or distributing fentanyl, but also allows people who successfully complete treatment to have their records expunged.
“If you’re a user and you’re trying to get yourself better, we have compassionate accountability. We can do that through our system,” Brown said. “But drug dealers? No thank you, I don’t have time for them. We have to hold them accountable to the fullest extent.”
Chamberlain said accountability for drug crimes has been “watered down,” pointing to advocacy for safe consumption sites and free Narcan.
“I think that as long as we continue to make it where users can have it and it can be done in a secure location and a place that makes everybody feel good, I think this problem will never go away,” Chamberlain said.
The law enforcement officials’ support for Proposition 132 is in contrast with the opinions of several district attorneys who came out against the measure, including Arapahoe County DA Amy Padden. The Aurora City Council also formally opposed Proposition 132.
Research, while limited, has shown that safe consumption sites can lower infection and overdose rates and increase access to treatment, though it’s less clear if the sites reduce drug use.
When it comes to the intersection of public safety and mental health, Brown, Chamberlain and Weekly said law enforcement has come a long way in how to handle crises and working with professionals, but they also cautioned against relying on police and jails to be the main solution when other social safety nets fail.
The group praised their teams dedicated to responding to mental health calls, which include police officers and mental health clinicians, while advocating for more investments in mental health institutions.
“Law enforcement has become kind of a catch-all for every system that has failed, whether that’s homelessness or mental health, … and that’s not working,” Chamberlain said, noting three recent officer-involved shootings in Aurora have included someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Brown said he feels that sheriffs run many of the state’s mental health facilities because jails often provide healthcare services. He estimated that of 800 people detained at the county jail, 65% will report a mental health issue or substance use disorder.
“That’s where people fall,” he said. “The state forensic hospital is not equipped to handle the amount of people we have right now.”
The discussion ended with Brown, Chamberlain and Weekly encouraging the audience to share what they learned with other community members and thanking the group for supporting police.