COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A nonprofit is working to make shopping in downtown Colorado Springs safer with a new partnership.
Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers is an organization that allows people to anonymously submit tips for any crime they might have witnessed. From there, a volunteer gives the tip to law enforcement and, should the information result in an arrest, the caller could be eligible for a reward.
On Tuesday, they announced a partnership with the Downtown Partnership. Under the new deal, Crime Stoppers distributed stickers for businesses who want them. Businesses then put the sticker with the Crime Stoppers phone number in their window.
The idea is to deter anyone who might go to a store with the intent to steal or trespass. Terra Verde boutique, which is across from Acacia Park, was one of the first to put a sticker in their window.
“We get a fair share of shoplifting and that is difficult,” said employee Kelly Jorgenson. “We want our customers to feel safe.”
She said she doesn’t know if this sticker will act as a deterrent, but said it couldn’t hurt to have it.
“It would be nice if maybe the possibility of the Crime Stoppers sticker making it a little less appealing to come in here when you’re not intending to come in and shop legitimately,” Jorgenson said.
Some other employees said they aren’t so sure this is needed, as they believe it likely won’t make any sort of difference.
“No, I don’t think it’s going to stop people. Like, straight up,” said Jo Orwiler, an employee at Cacao Chemistry, a chocolate shop Downtown. “If somebody is going to steal something, they’re going to do it. They’re not going to care about a sticker in the window, I just don’t think it’s going to help.”
She said their business will sometimes see people try to steal small items.
“I would have rather low hopes about, ‘ooh, new fancy sticker,’ that it’s going to deter crime,” Orwiler said. “So, I don’t think so right off the top of my head… but I’ve never used the service so I can’t speak from experience.”
Crime Stoppers told 11 News this partnership is small, costing them almost nothing; but they said they believe the impact will be large enough to make a difference. They said they have put these stickers in the windows of businesses in the past, and they said they saw results.
If you witness a crime, or know something about a crime, you can report it anonymously by calling Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP.
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