Pueblo Receives Safer Streets Grant to Help Improve Public Safety

New law championed by Sen. Hinrichsen helps local governments make critical, evidence-based improvements that will cut down on crime

PUEBLO, CO – The City of Pueblo recently secured a $774,000 grant through the Crime Prevention through Safer Streets Grant Program championed by Senator Nick Hinrichen, D-Pueblo, and Senator Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, this year to build safer communities. The program was created through the Safer Streets Act, which aims to help local governments make critical improvements that are proven to cut down on crime and improve public safety.

The grant for Pueblo will specifically improve public safety by bettering park lighting with upgrades and additions of LED lighting fixtures throughout the city. The three parks included in the grant award are Pueblo City Park, Mitchell Park and Ray Aguilera Park. 

“At the start of the year, I voiced my commitment to passing and supporting policies to make our communities safer, and I’m grateful that a public safety initiative I sponsored is making a difference,” said Hinrichsen. “The Safer Streets grant awarded to Pueblo will support proven measures to help make critical changes that will ultimately help cut down on crime and improve public safety across our city. I’m hopeful that other communities will take advantage of this grant program so we can make Colorado a safer place to live, work and raise a family.” 

This public strategy will not only act as a situational deterrent to crime, but will also improve community cohesion and pride, which studies show increases the willingness of residents to intervene in crime and cooperate with the police. Improved lighting will send a message to potential offenders that the neighborhood no longer offers easy opportunities for crime. 

SB22-001 created a $10.3 million grant program to help local governments make upgrades to neighborhoods, such as better lighting for increased visibility and improved design of the built physical environment. The goal of the program is to evaluate and design safer streets and neighborhood models that discourage crime, revitalize community image, and establish place-specific crime prevention strategies that account for geographic, cultural, economic, and social characteristics of the target areas. 

The program allows local governments—as well as community non-profit organizations partnering with local governments—to apply for grants that make improvements to the physical environment that increase visibility, direct foot traffic, and improve aesthetics through graffiti and trash removal. 

The law utilizes Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, an effective tool in reducing crime. Research and case studies have proven that the proper, safe design of the physical environment can result in lower incidences of crime, increased safety, and an overall increase in quality of life.

Learn more about the work Colorado Democrats did this year to improve public safety: senatedems.co/public-safety.