Becker unveils new initiative to combat crime in Gateway area


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SALT LAKE CITY — People who buy drugs or sell drugs in the Depot District "will go to jail" under a new initiative announced Tuesday by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and interim Police Chief Mike Brown.

"Our message today … (to) buyers and sellers who travel here to purchase drugs in this area, 'If you come here, you will go to jail,'" said Becker at a news conference outside Spy Hop, a nonprofit arts organization that mentors young people in digital media arts.

Another part of the city's latest strategy to improve conditions in the area involves the hiring of eight social workers who Becker said will work cooperatively with nonprofit homeless service providers.

"Homelessness is not a police issue; it's a community issue. We want to work with the community to solve this problem," Brown said.

While the Metro Support Bureau has labored to build trust among homeless people in the past year, the overall results have been "mixed," Becker said.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown answers questions following a press conference to explain new approaches and programming to help address public safety issues in the 500 West/Rio Grande area in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 28, 2015. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)
Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown answers questions following a press conference to explain new approaches and programming to help address public safety issues in the 500 West/Rio Grande area in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, July 28, 2015. (Photo: Ravell Call/Deseret News)

Recently, the police department "reconstituted" its bicycle squads, Brown said. Some 30 bicycle officers have been deployed to the Pioneer Park area, which will be their dedicated beat instead of being pulled off for other assignments.

"They can now stay here. This is their beat. This is their turf to defend, so to speak. When there's a problem or issue, they'll be responding," Brown said.

The police department also has established a telephone number people can call to report problems in the area: 801-799-DNTN.

On the enforcement side, small offenses are going to be dealt with before they fester into larger issues, said Deputy Chief Josh Scharman, new commander of the Metro Support Bureau. Even the problem of urinating in public will be addressed, he said.

"We all kind of laugh about that, but it's a significant issue," Scharman said. "That's an example of the thought that people can do whatever they want down here, and they can't. The same community standards you have in your community, we will have down here."

Salt Lakers may already have noticed there are fewer grocery carts in the area, he said. Recently, officers gave people pushing grocery carts notice that the carts would be returned to the businesses that own them. The officers also offered the people who had used the carts a place to store their belongings during the day.

"Monday we returned about 80 shopping carts to their proper grocery stores," Scharman said.

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The enhanced strategy comes as two groups, one appointed by Becker and another appointed by Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, are examining the locations of homeless services, as well as reviewing the services themselves.

Asked if the city hiring its own social workers slighted case management offered by nonprofit homeless services providers in the neighborhood, Becker said the city's social workers — one manager and seven caseworkers — will complement the efforts of service providers.

"They do an absolutely amazing job with the resources they have and the approach they are taking," Becker said. "They are angels in our community; there's no question about it."

Becker is seeking his third term as Salt Lake City mayor. Tuesday's news conference came on the eve of a mayoral debate in advance of the Aug. 11 primary election. Becker faces former state lawmaker Jackie Biskupski, community activist George Chapman, Salt Lake City Councilman Luke Garrott and businessman Dave Robinson.


You've got to have police presence here, and we know it. I'm hopeful and encouraged this will change. We'll see.

–Kasandra VerBrugghen, Spy Hop executive director.


Kasandra VerBrugghen, executive director of Spy Hop, said she is optimistic the enhanced enforcement of criminal offenses and more help for homeless people will make the area safer.

The nonprofit media arts and education center for youths, which offers programs outside of school hours and summer camps, became so concerned about safety that it hired an off-duty police officer to provide security in the evening hours.

"You've got to have police presence here, and we know it," VerBrugghen said, noting the nonprofit organization can no longer afford to hire private security.

"I'm hopeful and encouraged this will change. We'll see," she said.

VerBrugghen said she is also heartened that the community continues to work together to ensure the neighborhood is safe and that homeless people receive the help that they need.

Prior to Tuesday's news conference, representatives of service providers, business owners, area residents and arts organizations conducted a roundtable discussion with police and city officials.

"Everybody cares. Everybody wants to put their heads together. There's a lot of smart people working on these issues now. I believe if everybody can come together, we've all got skin in the game and we all want to see a positive change. I'm hopeful we can do this together," VerBrugghen said.

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