Downtown Salt Lake City in Crisis

After years on a downward trend, crime in Salt Lake City has shot back up – impacting residents, business owners, and the workforce of downtown. Individuals who are homeless are not being cared for, and we are disturbed by the suffering, death, and crime that is taking place on our streets. Our public spaces should be welcoming to those who want to shop, dine, live, and work without fear or concerns for their personal safety. Business and property owners should not have to hire and pay for their own private security, because the wait for police response is too long, if it comes at all.

The Pioneer Park Coalition is calling for immediate action to address the following impacts of the unprecedented situation.

Public Safety for Salt Lake City’s citizens is at an extreme low point.

Despite major progress in the past few years, Salt Lake City has seen a significant increase in homicide, theft, robbery, and carjackings since last year. At the end of August 2021, violent crime was up 52% compared to 2020, with the amount of non-family aggravated assault incidents doubling. Property crimes are also up nearly 47%.

The challenges facing the Salt Lake Police Department are well-documented and the most recent reports show our city desperately needs more officers.

Criminals have been emboldened by our weakened law enforcement presence. FOX 13’s investigative team exposed that the Salt Lake Police Department’s staffing struggles have led to dangerously slowed response times. A chart shared with SLCPD officers in May shows average response times increasing from 30 minutes in January to almost 49 minutes in May.

Salt Lake City is losing visitors and customers due to fear of crime and violence.

In a July poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, 42% of respondents indicated they were concerned to visit Salt Lake City due to homeless encampment safety issues.

This is a staggering number that will only continue to grow as the problem grows larger. This trend will prove to be a devastating blow to City revenue and quality of life.

Salt Lake City is losing businesses, both large and small.

Throughout the past year, several businesses have decided to move out of Salt Lake City because of the lawlessness taking place. Last month at the Grand America Public Safety meeting, business owners cited incidents where they felt abandoned by the city and left to fend for themselves. This lack of leadership and enforcement will undoubtedly lead to more revenue departing from the city along with missed future revenue lost by businesses choosing not to come to our Capital City.