Police report shows small increase in business burglaries
May 31, 2017 02:53PM ● By Kelly Cannon
Salt Lake City Police Detective Josh Ashdown addressed the rise in business burglaries and what the city is doing about abandoned homeless camps during his monthly address to the Sugar House Community Council. (Kelly Cannon/City Journals)
By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]
According to Salt Lake City Police Detective Josh Ashdown’s monthly crime report to the Sugar House Community Council, all crime stats are down except one: business burglaries. Ashdown gave his report to the council during their May 3 meeting. Ashdown explained the community has seen a spike in business burglaries.
“A handful of our businesses have been hit by people on 2100 South. It seems to be a pretty well organized person or group. They’re breaking into these places between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. They seem to be pretty well organized. We’re pretty condensed with businesses here so I’m a little concerned about that. We’re looking into it,” Ashdown said. “That’s the only crime that has gone up. We’re still on a downward slide.”
The other main part of Ashdown’s report was a reminder to residents to report a crime to the police before posting it on social media. According to Ashdown, it’s been happening a lot and it’s making it hard for police to do their jobs.
“It’s like you telling me about the rainbow you saw three days ago but by the time it gets to me or patrol, we can’t find it. It goes to social media first and then by the time it gets to patrol, it’s hard for us to do something,” Ashdown said. He said if residents see someone illegally camping, they should first call the police so officers can respond effectively and efficiently to remove the illegal camper.
“If you see something going on, contact us and then feel free to post it on social media,” Ashdown said. “But make sure if it’s an ‘in-progress’ thing, let us know.”
For all emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at (801) 799-3000.
Ashdown also took time to talk to the council about abandoned homeless camps. Ashdown said the police department has been working on cleaning up what homeless people leave behind when they abandon their camps.
“The city has been working to develop a system. They’re working with the health department. They’re coming up with their own system. We’ve recently made headway about getting some done,” Ashdown said. “If you have a camp that’s been left behind or needs to be cleaned up, let me know and we’ll make some headway to getting those cleaned up.”
According to Salt Lake City Police Detective Josh Ashdown’s monthly crime report to the Sugar House Community Council, all crime stats are down except one: business burglaries. Ashdown gave his report to the council during their May 3 meeting. Ashdown explained the community has seen a spike in business burglaries.
“A handful of our businesses have been hit by people on 2100 South. It seems to be a pretty well organized person or group. They’re breaking into these places between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. They seem to be pretty well organized. We’re pretty condensed with businesses here so I’m a little concerned about that. We’re looking into it,” Ashdown said. “That’s the only crime that has gone up. We’re still on a downward slide.”
The other main part of Ashdown’s report was a reminder to residents to report a crime to the police before posting it on social media. According to Ashdown, it’s been happening a lot and it’s making it hard for police to do their jobs.
“It’s like you telling me about the rainbow you saw three days ago but by the time it gets to me or patrol, we can’t find it. It goes to social media first and then by the time it gets to patrol, it’s hard for us to do something,” Ashdown said. He said if residents see someone illegally camping, they should first call the police so officers can respond effectively and efficiently to remove the illegal camper.
“If you see something going on, contact us and then feel free to post it on social media,” Ashdown said. “But make sure if it’s an ‘in-progress’ thing, let us know.”
For all emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at (801) 799-3000.
Ashdown also took time to talk to the council about abandoned homeless camps. Ashdown said the police department has been working on cleaning up what homeless people leave behind when they abandon their camps.
“The city has been working to develop a system. They’re working with the health department. They’re coming up with their own system. We’ve recently made headway about getting some done,” Ashdown said. “If you have a camp that’s been left behind or needs to be cleaned up, let me know and we’ll make some headway to getting those cleaned up.”
