Homicides up 86% in Pueblo; City, FBI officials discuss plans to address rising crime

City officials and the FBI held a press conference Tuesday to draw attention to rising crime and homicides in Pueblo.

During the Tuesday morning conference, the FBI announced a major joint summer operation to counter gangs in Pueblo, while city officials discussed local efforts to counter gang and gun violence.

Mayor Heather Graham expressed concern about rising crime in Pueblo and called on parents to keep tabs on their children and teenagers.

"As a citizen of Pueblo myself, I too am frustrated by the gun violence and the overall crime rate in our city," she said. "And I want to be part of the solution to improve the quality of life for all Puebloans."

Graham stated that while "Part 1" crimes — including homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, human trafficking, burglary, theft and arson — are down 6% from last year as of last week, homicide is up 86%.

The city of Pueblo has recorded 11 homicides this year; as of April 23 of last year, the city had recorded six, Graham said.

"Just because our Part 1 crimes are down 6% overall, we will not tolerate the many unnecessary deaths in the community," she said.

Graham highlighted a March ordinance approved by city council, which temporarily suspended the city's civil service process with the intent of streamlining the hiring of officers, especially lateral transfers from other agencies who may otherwise be too far down a recruitment list to be considered for hiring during the current window.

Graham also called on the "parents, guardians, friends, siblings, and loved ones" of young teenagers in the Pueblo community, especially those participating in gangs and gun violence, to "know where your children are at night."

"Know where your teens' friends are, who they are associated with, who is driving them, and who they are out late at night with," Graham said. "Even if you think, 'It couldn't be my child or my friend,' please be aware of how your oversight and care affects all of us in the community."

FBI announces summer anti-gang operation

Special Agent Mark Michalek, FBI Special Agent in charge of Colorado and Wyoming, stated that this summer, federal, state and local officials will conduct a joint operation to disrupt gang activity in Pueblo.

"The FBI has had meetings with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, the 10th Judicial DA's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Pueblo Police Department to focus resources on violent crime impression in the greater Pueblo area," Michalek said.

Michalek noted that, despite perceived challenges from bills passed in recent years by the Colorado Legislature, the FBI has had a successful partnership with Pueblo PD over the past few years. As an example, Michalek cited the federal prosecution of Timothy Martinez, who was convicted on March 7 of drug and firearm-related charges in federal court.

"Now he is one criminal who is off the street and will no longer threaten people with guns and poison them with dangerous drugs because he will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Michalek said.

Michalek noted that federal sentencing reduces recidivism, as inmates in federal prison have to serve a much higher percentage of their sentence before being eligible for parole than state law requires — specifically, 85% federally versus 50% in Colorado.

"We will continue to refine our strategies and use real-time intelligence and advanced technology to target serial offenders who are engaged in drug activity and gun violence," he said.

Police chief addresses efforts to combat crime, staffing shortages

Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller stated that the department was short approximately 54 officers as of Tuesday morning.

In an effort to be more nimble and proactive toward gangs and gun violence, Noeller announced that Pueblo PD is "in the process" of eliminating Watch III of the patrol division and reallocating officers to the criminal investigations division, with two additional crimes against persons detectives, one special victims unit detective, and one property crime detective. The department is also creating an "impact team," which will focus solely on proactive policing targeting gangs and gun violence, Noeller said.

He noted challenges from the state legislature have impacted the department's ability to reduce crime in Pueblo. Noeller particularly cited House Bill 22-1131, otherwise known as the "Raise the Floor Act," which raised the minimum age that juveniles can be prosecuted criminally from 10 to 12 except in homicide cases.

Noeller also noted a lack of capacity for juvenile offenders at Pueblo Youth Corrections, with only nine beds available to house juveniles who commit violent offenses.

More on homicides and juvenile crime: City of Pueblo saw 27 murders in 2023. It's the third straight year with at least that amount

Noeller stated that very often, juvenile and gang crime are one and the same, with many recent violent juvenile offenses connected to gang activity.

Despite these challenges, the chief stated that Pueblo PD has seen success in instituting new technology to combat crime.

"(Personnel allocation changes,) in conjunction with our real-time crime center, which is scheduled to go live on June 1, the implementation of ShotSpotter, the installation of advanced license plate readers, and other technologies, will allow us to focus more directly on violent crime, and together with federal partners, we will make an impact," said Noeller.

However, the chief also echoed Graham in asking for community members to monitor and guide their youth.

"We need parents, guardians, siblings, and community members to step up and help our youth," he said. "Be mentors and provide a positive influence. Parents, keep tabs on your kids — be aware of who their friends are and whether they're a positive influence. Be aware if they have a safe space and a safe ride home."

More Pueblo public safety news: Pueblo police say homicide was caught on surveillance footage and ShotSpotter technology

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Homicides are up 86% in Pueblo. Here's what city, FBI officials are doing