Text Box:     Contact:          Meghan Harris Russell                         Executive Director (719) 846-9412   134 West Main Street, Suite 12  Trinidad, CO  81082 ed@tlac.net  §  www.tlac.net

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PASSES RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS TO INCREASING VANDALISM, GRAFFITI & DAMAGE TO CITY & COUNTY BUSINESSES &

COMMUNITY AMENITIES

 

Trinidad, CO (September 17, 2007) – The Board of Directors for Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development, Inc., recently passed the following resolution OR click the link to read the [official] Resolution. 

 

RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION OF

 

TRINIDAD-LAS ANIMAS COUNTY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.,

OF TRINIDAD, COLORADO,

 

STRONGLY ENCOURAGING PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS TO

MITIGATE INCREASING VANDALISM, GRAFFITI & DAMAGE TO

CITY AND COUNTY BUSINESSES & COMMUNITY AMENITIES

 

 

WHEREAS, the mission of Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development, Inc., is to increase community prosperity through economic enhancement activity in the City of Trinidad, the County of Las Animas and all communities therein; and

 

WHEREAS, the organization’s Business Retention Program goal is to continuously and consistently understand the value of existing businesses [and industry] to the community and local economy and be proactively supportive of their needs and desire to succeed; and

 

WHEREAS, Trinidad and Las Animas County businesses [and industry] are Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development’s “personal passion” and the organization functions on the concept of “Think Trinidad & Las Animas County First;” and

 

WHEREAS, it is understood that small businesses are a major part of the economy of the Trinidad and Las Animas County area and, by their very nature and organization, need as much support as possible in a variety of areas in order to reach ultimate success; and

 

WHEREAS, it is understood that graffiti, vandalism, and increasing violence has a direct and dramatic negative impact on both residential and commercial property values; and

 

WHEREAS, the increasing negative activity in the area is detrimental to County-wide re-development and reinvestment efforts and opportunities; and 

 

WHEREAS, the scope and nature of the increasing graffiti and vandalism in the Trinidad and Las Animas County area negatively effects various groups and organizations and their ability to effectively promote the City and County as a safe, tourist destination and viable, residential and business relocation option; and

 

WHEREAS, it is imperative that City and County-wide proactive steps are taken to mitigate this negative activity in order to prevent the area from becoming a central hub for negative behavior and from leading to an escalation in violent activity.

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TRINIDAD-LAS ANIMAS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC., THAT:

 

  1. The Board understands and supports the efforts currently underway by both the City and County and their respective law enforcement agencies to mitigate the degree to which graffiti, vandalism, and violence is occurring.

 

  1. The Board encourages a proactive approach to dealing with all facets of this issue and enacting appropriate measures making it more difficult for this activity to occur and providing stricter penalties for individuals apprehended in connection with crimes of this nature including, but not limited to, the acquisition of monitored camera systems, ordinances identifying heavy fines and providing vehicles for violators to proactively repair damages as part of community service requirements, re-establishment of Neighborhood Watch programs, increased use of the downtown Trinidad police sub-station, additional promotion of, and education regarding the TIPS hotline, establishment of additional youth programs, additional educational programs on effective solutions to this growing National issue, etc.

 

  1. It is understood that both the City and County law enforcement agencies are understaffed for both current and future needs of the growing area.  The Board supports the development and/or revision of a comprehensive growth plan in the area of community services in order to meet both the existing and future needs of the Trinidad and Las Animas County area.  And, in doing so, also supports efforts to acquire, train, and employ additional law enforcement and public safety personnel in order to accommodate the existing and expected growth and to accommodate whatever solutions are enacted.

 

  1. Finally, the Board acknowledges that this is not the only issue facing the Trinidad and Las Animas County area, but it is of such import as it touches on every facet of a growing community.  Without appropriate mitigation and solutions to what is a growing, National problem, Economic Development’s ability to promote the organization’s mission and fulfill it’s obligations as it relates to the Business Retention goals outlined above will be significantly impeded. 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Directors for Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development, Inc., hereby fully supports, and looks to provide technical assistance to the extent possible for, any and all efforts undertaken to mitigate and provide proactive solutions to the increasing vandalism, graffiti, and damage to City and County businesses and community amenities.

 

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 27th DAY OF AUGUST 2007.

 

 While an official Resolution has been passed by the organization, Economic Development will continue to partner with local agencies, organizations, law enforcement officials, and the City and County governments to provide active assistance as needed with any events, programs, or committees focused on this topic to ensure that the business community and the City and County interests are upheld, especially given the scope of anticipated growth and impact to ongoing economic development within the City of Trinidad and the Las Animas County area.

For more information on the Economic Development Board, potential volunteer opportunities, more detail on Economic Development’s 2007 Goals, or specific projects please contact Meghan Harris Russell, Executive Director for Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development at (719) 846-9412 or via email at ed@tlac.net.  Visit Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development online at www.tlac.net.

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