Crime is Down Overall by 12.4% in Aurora, CO, but Is Your Business Safe
Crime Data
Based on data from the City of Aurora – Crime Data, there has been a 12.4% decrease in overall crime in 2023 compared to 2022. However, for business owners, this decline offers little relief as criminals adapt and find new, more profitable methods to commit offenses undetected.
In 2022, there were 30,854 reported crimes in Aurora, with only 5,075 resulting in arrests. This means that just 16.45% of criminals were apprehended, assuming a single perpetrator per crime, which is often not the case. Moreover, questions arise about how many of those arrested were charged, convicted, and received meaningful penalties.
While murder decreased by only 4.9% and sexual assault by a mere 0.3% in 2023 compared to 2022, other crimes like Aggravated Assault and Robbery saw declines of 10.1% and 33%, respectively. Despite these reductions, the low arrest rates and sluggish police response times indicate that criminals are becoming more sophisticated.
What’s Happening
In the past, criminals seemed less concerned with the risks associated with their actions, exemplified by incidents like a knife altercation over a trivial sum. However, today’s criminals carefully weigh the potential risks against the rewards before engaging in criminal activities.
Notably, commercial burglary and shoplifting are on the rise, increasing by 2.9% and a staggering 35.5%, respectively. Slow police response times and restrictive corporate policies contribute to this trend, as retailers often discourage employees from confronting shoplifters, even preventing trained, third-party security personnel, armed or unarmed.
Some Thought
Blackwatch emphasizes the importance of allowing security firms to operate effectively within their expertise to address these challenges. Failure to do so may leave businesses vulnerable to increased theft and burglaries, especially in unattended establishments.
As we progress through 2024, business owners in Colorado must take proactive measures to protect their establishments from the evolving strategies of criminals.
Data sources: City of Aurora Crime Data and Colorado Crime Stats.
