AURORA | Crime along Aurora’s East Colfax Avenue corridor decreased 7 percent from 2011 to 2012 officials from the Aurora Police Department told the Aurora City Council’s Public Safety Committee at its June 4 meeting.
Police officials attribute the drop of 103 total crimes to the presence of surveillance cameras and more officers patrolling the area.
A total of 1,360 “Part 1” crimes were reported in 2012 on East Colfax Avenue between Yosemite Street and Laredo Street, a decrease from 1,463 crimes reported in the same area in 2011. “Part 1” crimes include burglary, larceny, murder, rape and robbery.
“Cameras are proving very successful, as well as license plate readers,” Division Chief Roger Cloyd said.
There are also more officers patrolling the area on foot and on bicycle, according to city documents. Last year, police presence was increased at two theaters along Colfax during evening performances, and also during special events. Police officers have also focused on cracking down on street robbery, drug dealing and prostitution, according to city documents.
The type of crime with the largest decrease along the Colfax corridor was shoplifting, which falls under larceny. In 2011, 330 incidences of shoplifting were reported, compared to 273 in 2012 — a 17 percent decrease. Aggravated assault also decreased in the area, from 121 incidences in 2011 to 105 in 2012, a difference of 13 percent.
There were no offenses of “theft of services” in 2012, which is a larceny crime that occurs when someone dumps their trash in another homeowner’s trashcan or when someone illegally uses someone else’s wireless internet. In 2011, there were eight theft of services cases.
Conversely, motor vehicle thefts increased by 37 percent, from 27 in 2011 to 37 in 2012. Burglary of a residence by force also increased 8 percent, from 72 in 2011 to 78 in 2012.
Councilwoman Sally Mounier, a member of the Public Safety Committee, said more work needs to be done on Colfax.
“My No. 1 budget priority is reducing crime on Colfax,” she said.
She asked city staff members to compile data that shows how much crime is committed in each city ward compared to Ward 1, which includes north Aurora and the Colfax corridor.
Cloyd originally misspoke when he presented an update on Colfax corridor crime to members of the Public Safety Committee meeting. He mistakenly said crime had decreased 9.3 percent along the Colfax corridor.
City wide, there was a slight increase in “Part 1” crimes, which grew 1.7 percent in 2012 compared to 2011.
Reach reporter Sara Castellanos at 720-449-9036 or sara@aurorasentinel.com.