Larimer County, CO - Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputies met with owners, managers and employees of a majority of the hotels and motels in the East Mulberry corridor last night to provide training on how to reduce criminal activity at their businesses. The training is just one of many actions being taken by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office as part of Operation New Dawn. 

Topics included in the training were risk management, access control, property surveillance, maintenance and reducing check-in/identity fraud. The training is part of the internationally recognized Crime Free Hotel/Motel program which is sponsored by the International Crime Free Association (http://www.crime-free-association.org/hotel-motel.htm). The goals of the training are to reduce criminal activity, safeguard guests/employees, reduce liability, educate employees and increase profitability. The three-phase program can ultimately lead to full certification showing the property participates in and is in compliance with crime free guidelines.

"The Crime Free Hotel/Motel program is another step in our effort to help the area businesses to revitalize the area as well as reduce the incidents and fear of crime," said Lieutenant Robert Cook. Larimer County Sheriff's Office Captain John Manago added "We have seen a significant positive impact in the area as a result of Operation New Dawn." Deputies are planning on extending the Crime Free program to all hotels/motels in unincorporated Larimer County in the near future. 

Operation New Dawn is a long-term, multi-year program, which began early in 2012 aimed at decreasing crimes in the East Mulberry Corridor. The operation objectives include community outreach, education and involvement, coordination of other government resources and services in addition to criminal investigation and enforcement. Other actions taken to date include business outreach, saturation patrols, multi-agency operations and panhandling education and enforcement. 

The East Mulberry Corridor is that area from Timberline Road east to County Road 5. This area had seen an increase in criminal activity including aggravated assaults, illegal narcotics use and distribution, prostitution, criminal gang activity, financial and fraud related crimes as well as property crimes including burglary, theft and trespassing. Additionally, deputies have encountered armed suspects and a high concentration of fugitives with warrants in the targeted area.

For more information, contact Sergeant Rick Russell at the  Larimer County Sheriff's Office at 970-498-5363.