Broomfield police report drops in property and vehicle thefts; mental‑health co‑responder program to expand in 2025

Broomfield Police Chief Anaya Hempelman presented the department's year‑end crime statistics and a set of 2025 priorities to the City and County Council on March 11, reporting declines in several categories and outlining investments in enforcement, community response and officer wellness.

Hempelman said property crime in 2024 "decreased about 17% compared to the previous year," and highlighted a notable fall in motor vehicle thefts: "in 2024, we had 198 vehicles stolen versus the 2023 where we had 282 vehicles stolen," a drop she described as roughly 30 percent year‑over‑year. She also noted an unusual driver of larceny counts: the department's bait bicycle was stolen 102 times last year; the department recovered the bike every time and apprehended a suspect in most cases.

The police chief placed those results in the context of the department's data‑driven approach. "We took a lot of very proactive measures," Hempelman said, pointing to use of a small Special Enforcement Team, live‑view camera trailers and partnerships with the metropolitan auto theft task force.

Nut graf: The department told council it will continue intelligence‑led policing and targeted traffic enforcement in 2025 while expanding nontraditional responses to behavioral health incidents and bolstering officer wellness, arguing the mix of enforcement and service models has driven recent declines in theft and violent crime.

Hempelman said total violent crime declined as well, and that murders remained at very low counts year‑to‑year. Deputy Chief Mike Clement, who oversees field operations, described 2025 priorities including continued use of the SET team, expanded drone deployments and license‑plate reader technology. "We're going to be doing a 2025 traffic campaign," Clement said, describing increased targeted enforcement and education around distracted driving and hands‑free laws.

Deputy Chief Mark Adel (Special Operations Bureau) summarized the in‑house B Corp program, a clinician co‑response model that begins service after officers secure a scene. Adel said B Corp handled more calls in real time in late 2024 and will expand outreach and follow‑up work in 2025, including services targeted at seniors.

Hempelman and her deputies emphasized the department's investment in officer wellness as a part of public safety. Mark Goodell/Deputy Chief of Support Services (presenting detention and training updates) described upgraded biometric sensors in the detention center and expanded medical‑assisted treatment and reentry services, which he said reduced off‑site emergency visits.

Council members asked about specific enforcement issues raised by residents, including reports of street racing. Hempelman said Broomfield is part of a regional street‑racing task group and that police use both proactive regional enforcement and local intelligence to try to disrupt events before they begin.

Ending: Council received the presentation without a formal vote. Staff said they will return with quarterly enterprise and budget updates in April and will present more detailed plans as individual initiatives move into implementation.