One of the biggest reasons my family loves Castle Rock is that it actually feels safe. That's why most of us chose to live here. When you sit down and look at the actual data from the last five years, our town has consistently stayed one of the safest places in Colorado. Our violent crime rates have remained remarkably low compared to both state and national averages. Our local law enforcement has done a solid job keeping a lid on property crime even as our roads get busier and new subdivisions pop up.
Keeping that peace of mind as our population grows takes real practical support. To me, that means making sure our police offices, firefighters, and paramedics aren't stretched dangerously thin on any given shit. It means keeping their compensation competitive so we can attract and retain the very best talent. We must ensure they have the modern equipment, training, and support staff needed to respond quickly the moment someone calls 911.
I feel strongly that keeping us safe doesn't mean sacrificing individual liberties or privacy. The job of law enforcement, and our judicial system, is to investigate crimes, protect victims, and prosecute the individuals who break the law. Unfortunately, we don't always have the control we would like, and some issues have to wait for state or federal legislation. In the mean time, the Town Council's job is to support all of our first responders as they continue serving our town "One by One".
We don't have to choose safe or free for our town. We can fully back the men and women who keep our streets safe, and help us through the worst days of our lives, while also protecting the privacy and personal liberties that make Castle Rock feel like home.