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Broomfield police report falling overall crime, expand mental‑health responses and street‑racing enforcement
Summary
At a June study session, the Broomfield Police Department reported declining property and violent crime rates, increased co‑responder mental‑health responses (353 calls, up 41% year‑over‑year), and detailed proactive steps against street racing and car meetups.
Chief Hempelman told the City and County of Broomfield during a study session that overall property and violent crime in the city is trending downward, and he outlined several new and expanded programs the department credits for that improvement. "If 2025 stays on trend, you'll see a decrease in total property crime," Hempelman said as he reviewed Colorado Bureau of Investigation figures.
The department showed per‑1,000 resident rates: robbery at about 0.06 and larceny at 5.93. Deputy Chief Mark Cadell said new digital‑forensics tools assisted in a recent homicide prosecution and that regional partnerships helped secure an indictment in a liquor‑store burglary ring. Cadell also reported the communications center answered 99.7% of 911 calls within 15 seconds in 2024.
Mental‑health responses have increased: Cadell said the department's co‑responder team handled 353 behavioral‑health calls in the first six months of the year, a 41% rise over the prior year, and now responds in person to more than 70% of those calls. "Our co‑responder program continues to demonstrate its incredible value," Cadell said.
Chief Hempelman and staff also described a new "blue envelope" program intended to help officers quickly identify residents with communication or accommodation needs; the chief said officer training on the program begins in the next two weeks and that community members may pick up envelopes at the police department.
Councilmembers pressed the department on two recurring local concerns. On street racing and large car meetups, Hempelman described multi‑agency, intelligence‑led tactics—extra‑duty patrols, targeted traffic operations and coordination with city prosecutors and judges—and said outreach to private property owners is also being used to discourage groups from assembling on business lots. "We're trying to get there before they get there," he said, describing the goal of deterring gatherings and preventing dangerous high‑speed driving.
On retail theft, council asked whether Flatirons Mall remains a primary larceny location; staff said large regional shopping centers and major retailers such as Walmart account for much of the theft activity, driven by opportunity and parking‑lot exit areas.
The presentation included operational details—18 new trainees in the field‑training program, three patrol canines deployed more than 250 times this year, and special‑enforcement operations that produced roughly 50 arrests and nearly 50 summonses in the first half of the year. The department also credited a trial gardening of bait programs for both motor vehicle and bicycle theft enforcement.
The session closed with council praise and follow‑up requests for continued monitoring and additional data as the department finalizes staffing and program evaluations.
