I am writing in response to my colleague’s ongoing attacks on his teammates in print, on the radio and in his recent Town Hall Meeting. Although I do not speak for all my fellow Council Members, I believe that like me Public Safety is now and has always been a priority for this City Council.

I voted for and fully support our 2024 City Budget. When we are in tough economic times, I believe government should have to make tough decisions – just like we all do around our kitchen tables. Our budget includes all departments taking a 3.4% cut due to the predicted downturn in the economy and sales tax revenues for 2024. Colorado Springs is a fiscally conservative community. So, it is crucial for our mayor, city council, and the community to recognize public safety’s complexity. We must always have the backs of our law enforcement and firefighters, but public safety is a mosaic of interconnected factors requiring thoughtful consideration and investment across all city departments.

What about the pressing matter of public safety? — a concern resonating deeply with our community. While making a political statement supporting the police is easy, true commitment to public safety demands more than rhetoric. It requires setting policy, strategic planning, and a holistic, whole-community approach.

For me public safety is not one-dimensional, and it is about much more than police funding. Yes, we need a well-funded police department and I strongly believe that to truly impact a complex public safety challenge requires a broad base comprehensive approach. While acknowledging the indispensable role of a quality police force, it is crucial to understand that to truly support our police requires an approach to public safety that extends beyond law enforcement.

Like our Police Department our Fire Department is integral to our community’s public safety, responding to all kinds of emergencies including wild land fires, serious accidents, and flooding to name a few. Adequate funding ensures preparedness for unforeseen events, minimizing potential risks.

When our City government invests In our public works to maintain a robust infrastructure, well-maintained roads, well-lit neighborhoods, and efficient traffic management all contribute significantly to crime and accident prevention.

Our communities’ parks, trails and open spaces and other services maintained by our City are often seen as amenities but, in fact, they all are critical elements in the overall safety equation. Accessible green spaces promote physical activity, community engagement, and positive interactions, fostering a resilient community less prone to crime and improved mental health. There are significant reports outlining how during the pandemic our outdoor activities saw all-time highs.

Economic development is about creating stable, well-paying jobs that deter crime by addressing root causes. Housing initiatives and community vitality efforts all play roles in crime prevention and building a well-connected community less susceptible to criminal elements. People want to live in a community that is safe where they can access good paying jobs and affordable living. It is about our community’s quality of life.

In financially challenging times, a 3.4% cut across all departments is a balanced approach and this still allows our police to recruit to full force. Exempting the police department from this cut under the guise of public safety is naive. We must consider dynamic approaches to crime, navigating fiscal responsibility while safeguarding residents necessitates that your legislators focus on enduring impacts, avoiding superficial gestures.

Let us embrace comprehensive, proactive measures to fortify our community’s well-being for generations to come.

David Leinweber is a member, Colorado Springs City Council at – Large and a small business owner — Angler’s Covey.

David Leinweber

Courtesy photo