Fountain mayor presents condolences on Officer Becerra’s loss of life, decries ‘lenient and permissive’ crime laws

Feb. 12—Fountain Mayor Sharon Thompson on Sunday delivered an providing of condolences on the loss of life of Officer Julian Becerra and a scathing rebuke of a Colorado judicial system that, in her opinion, fostered the circumstances that led to his loss of life.

On Saturday, Becerra, 35, succumbed to accidents sustained in a fall from a bridge whereas chasing carjacking suspects earlier this month. It was the Fountain Police Division’s first line-of-duty loss of life since Officer John Lindamood was fatally shot by a burglar in April 1921.

“Earlier this morning, I conveyed my sincerest condolences in regards to the lack of Officer Julian Becerra and wish to convey once more how a lot his household and buddies are in our hearts and prayers throughout this tough time,” Thompson mentioned from Fountain Metropolis Corridor on Sunday. “Fountain is without end grateful for his service to our neighborhood.”

Thompson then directed her remarks towards the residents of Fountain, acknowledging a rising concern about crime locally.

“I do know that many people are feeling the rise in crime seemingly throughout us in our communities and are involved about what could be accomplished to make sure the security of our streets, neighborhoods, houses and households,” she mentioned. “Make no mistake: The present atmosphere for our legislation enforcement is more difficult and harmful than ever. Violence is on the rise, with severe crimes usually being dedicated by repeat offenders — harmful felons on our streets.”

In accordance with Thompson, Becerra was mortally injured whereas pursuing suspects who, due to their felony histories, ought to have been in jail.

“The suspects that Officer Becerra was pursuing the night time he was gravely injured had been repeat felons with a number of lively warrants for his or her arrests,” she mentioned.

“They need to by no means have been out on the road within the first place, however attributable to a scarcity of accountability in our justice system, and failed bail reform initiatives, they had been allowed to prey on our residents and create the circumstances that put Officer Becerra on the bridge that night time.”

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Legislation enforcement efforts in Fountain and throughout the state are being hampered by Colorado drug legal guidelines that have not accomplished sufficient to maintain unlawful narcotics off the streets, Thompson mentioned.

“A majority of these legal guidelines empower criminals and make law-abiding residents extra weak to those that would do us hurt,” she mentioned. “This kind of atmosphere, coupled with an more and more hostile sentiment, brazenly shared by some, in the direction of our whole legislation enforcement neighborhood has created thriving circumstances for emboldened criminals and has collectively diminished our security.”

“We should do one thing now to show this round.”

Thompson known as on neighborhood members to help police and first responders by promptly reporting crimes once they see them, and by pressuring elected officers to pursue stricter anti-crime laws.

“Inform them you need extra safety from criminals, not leniency and permissiveness,” she mentioned.

“I need everybody to know that town of Fountain is totally unyielding in our dedication to make sure your security and safety. We’ll by no means cease in our continued efforts to supply the best-trained, geared up {and professional} public security companies obtainable to our neighborhood.”

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