Crime Prevention

The prevention of crime is the primary goal of the Minturn Police Department. Toward that end, we think it is important to provide citizens with safety tips and information so that they, too, can take a stand against crime. This section provides information for businesses and individuals. To obtain additional information, or to schedule a presentation for your business or organization, please contact the Minturn Police Department.

Residential Safety   Business Safety   Vacation Crime Prevention	ATM Safety   Bicycle Safety and Laws	Identity Theft   Senior Safety

BUSINESS SAFETY

Most criminals are opportunists. Victims often unwittingly create opportunities for criminals. A business door being left unlocked after closing is an example of the victim creating the opportunity. Awareness for the potential of crime empowers individuals and businesses to act more cautiously, thus reducing or eliminating the opportunity. It requires, for many, to change the way they think and it requires putting a healthy suspicion into our daily lives and activities.

Businesses can take an active role in reducing criminal opportunity in and around their property by participating in a variety of crime prevention initiatives.

Business Watch

In its most simple form, this is a group of businesses that form a relationship between store owners and employees within a particular area. By watching out for each other, businesses can maintain a safer working and shopping atmosphere within and around their establishment.

Burglary Prevention

Businesses can reduce their vulnerability to crime in many ways. Security measures like updated locks, lighting, and alarms can make any establishment a less attractive target for criminals. Contact the Community Services Unit to have your business assessed for security recommendations.

Parking Lot Security

Car-jacking, auto break-ins, car thefts, armed robberies, rapes – parking lots present all these dangers and more. It is important for the owner or manager of a parking lot to make the lot as safe as possible. To accomplish this, business should create a security plan which includes appropriate signage, emergency telephones, alarms (duress and elevator), good lighting, video surveillance, security patrols and good access control.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Crime Prevention Officers can review plans of new developments, buildings, or any other proposed structures to be built along with major renovations of existing structures for recommendations to prevent crime even before construction begins. This process is called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and its objective is to have structures designed with crime prevention tactics incorporated to reduce the probability of crime.