Crime Wave Plagues Colorado, Small Businesses Suffer

In a recent City Council meeting, Aurora businessman Kenneth Shaw shared his personal stories of the escalating crime crisis that has plagued Colorado in recent years.

Shaw, owner of a local car wash at Buckley, revealed the reality of his daily life, which now includes sleepless nights spent monitoring surveillance cameras to protect his business from criminals.

Last August, Shaw's car wash became the target of a brazen truck ramming incident. The thieves planned to strike at the "heart of this operation," Shaw recounted. Although nothing was stolen during this incident, the repair cost amounted to a staggering $23,000. In November, another break-in occurred, resulting in the theft of $600 from a pay station.

These are big loses for any small businesses.

The relentless onslaught of crime has taken its toll on Shaw's mental well-being. "I get out of bed and go to my laptop to watch the cameras at 2 a.m., and I watch them for four hours," Shaw revealed to the council.

Shaw also said, fellow retailers in his retail center have echoed the same sentiment, suggesting the need for a vigilante group to safeguard their businesses.

While he’s grateful for Aurora PD, he also believes something crucial is missing with the police response to his concerns. "They're fantastic and care, and they want to do this job," he acknowledged. He emphasized that the status quo poses a risk to all residents and businesses alike.

READ MORE:

• MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS DOWN STATEWIDE, BUT UP MORE THAN 30 PRECENT IN COLORADO SPRINGS

• COLORADO SPRINGS EMPLOYEE INJURED WHILE TRYING TO STOP THIEF

• COLORADO THIEVES ASK FOR DISCOUNTED CHARGE BECAUSE THEY ONLY STOLE ITEMS ON SALE

• 400% INCREASE OF ‘REPORTED HATE’ IN COLORADO SINCE OCTOBER 7TH

Shaw drew attention to the city's revolving door of police chiefs, likening the situation to the Denver Broncos football team. He confidently stated that the Broncos had a remarkable leader in Pat Bowlen, but subsequent leaders have failed to live up to his legacy.

The plight of Kenneth Shaw and countless other small business owners in Colorado highlights the urgent need for action against the escalating crime wave. The safety and security of our communities must remain a top priority.