When it comes to curbing crime, two heads are better than one — and several heads are better than two.

That’s the idea behind a new partnership between Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers and downtown Colorado Springs businesses, who are strengthening efforts to reduce crime in the area and help police catch more criminals.

“We need more awareness so people will share information with us,” Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers Chairman Don Addy said. “The idea was that if (our organization) could be seen as present in downtown, with our logo, that it will make people more aware that we are here.”

Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to anonymous callers who provide information on criminal activity in the 4th Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller counties, if it leads to arrests of felony suspects or wanted felons, or recovering drugs, stolen property or cash.

The nonprofit, which operates through donations and volunteers, is providing downtown Colorado Springs businesses with Crime Stopper window decals, which Addy said act as a deterrent for crimes like shoplifting, burglary and assault.

The sign is in the shape of the recognizable red “STOP” shield and includes the regional Crime Stoppers phone number. Businesses can place the decals on storefront windows and entrances.

They are already up at some stores, like Terre Verde boutique at 208 N. Tejon St., and at Mary’s Mountain Cookies at 7 S. Tejon.

“As a former police officer, I appreciate the value of Crime Stoppers in helping businesses operate safely. I commend the Downtown Partnership for this initiative,” Pat Rigdon, a former Colorado Springs Police Department deputy chief and the former owner of Mary’s Mountain Cookies, said in a recent news release announcing the initiative. He and his wife, Kristy, recently handed off their business on Jan. 1.

Data provided by the Colorado Springs police show in 2024 there were more reported crimes overall in the downtown area — its borders defined as approximately Interstate 25 to the west, Boulder Street to the north, Shooks Run to the east and Fountain Boulevard to the south — than there were in 2023.

Police responded to 1,101 crimes downtown in 2023 and 1,131 crimes in 2024.

Violent crimes such as robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault and rape totaled 289 instances downtown in 2024, compared with 252 the previous year. There were fewer instances of non-violent crimes downtown in 2024 than in 2023, like larceny, burglary, property damage and drug violations — 842 in 2024 compared with 849 in 2023.

The Downtown Partnership already has a security system provided to all businesses downtown, but the partnership with Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers enhances safety efforts in the area, said Chelsea Gondeck, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District.

“We see this partnership as an opportunity to continue to enhance our safety efforts for all downtown patrons and further support our storefront businesses,” Gondeck said. The partnership will also enhance the downtown area as a desirable place to shop, eat and conduct business.

Businesses who want to request a Crime Stoppers decal can do so online at crimestop.net. The nonprofit will mail a sticker out to the provided mailing address.