400% Increase in Smash and Grab Crimes in Colorado Springs: Is Your Business at Risk?
In 2024, Colorado Springs experienced a shocking surge in smash and grab burglaries—jumping from under 10 incidents in 2023 to more than 40 by year’s end. That’s a staggering 400% increase in just one year, leaving many local business owners feeling shaken and vulnerable.
If you're running a retail shop, restaurant, dispensary, or even a professional office in the Springs, it’s time to ask the hard question: Is your business the next target?
📊 What the Numbers Reveal
Smash and grab crimes are not new—but the scale, speed, and frequency of these incidents have alarmed both business owners and local law enforcement.
The Colorado Springs Police Department has noted that most incidents involve vehicles being used as battering rams, smashing into glass storefronts to create fast access.
Items targeted include electronics, cash drawers, ATMs, cannabis products, firearms, and high-end merchandise—anything thieves can quickly grab and resell.
Surveillance footage and police reports indicate a disturbing trend: organized crews and even juveniles are participating in these crimes, often executing coordinated hits late at night or during early morning hours.
In response, city officials have held public safety summits and proposed legislation to tackle youth crime and property theft, but the threat remains very real (KKTV Source).
In response to the rising crime and growing concern from the business community, the City of Colorado Springs hosted a Public Safety Summit in late 2024, bringing together state legislators, city leaders, and law enforcement officials. The summit focused on collaborative strategies to combat youth crime, repeat offenders, and property-related offenses, including those tied to smash and grabs. The city acknowledged the urgent need for both legislative reform and community-based safety solutions (coloradospring.gov source).
These are not crimes of opportunity—they are often strategic, premeditated attacks, and no neighborhood is immune.
🏪 Why Your Business Could Be at Risk
You don’t have to be a high-end jewelry store to draw attention. Smash and grab crews look for the path of least resistance, and many local businesses fit the bill:
Retail stores with glass doors and large display windows provide easy entry.
Low-lit parking areas or alley-facing back entrances give criminals cover.
Businesses near highway exits or quiet intersections offer fast getaways.
Minimal security presence or visible deterrents make you a soft target.
Even if your business is not traditionally considered "high-risk," these crimes often happen at random to any location that appears vulnerable. Beyond the physical loss, there’s the cost of repairs, insurance premium hikes, downtime, and potential reputational damage if customers perceive your location as unsafe.
🔍 What You Need to Know & Do
1. Strengthen Physical Barriers
Don’t rely on standard commercial glass alone—it offers little resistance to a determined thief with a crowbar or stolen SUV. Reinforced doors, shatter-resistant films, or security grilles can delay or deter entry long enough for help to arrive. Concrete bollards or planters placed in front of vulnerable windows or doors can also prevent a vehicle from crashing through entirely.
2. Upgrade Alarms & Response Plans
An audible alarm isn’t enough. Many break-ins last only 60–90 seconds. You need a system that connects directly to your monitoring service or mobile patrol provider, alerting them immediately. Make sure your plan includes after-hours contact info, police dispatch protocols, and property re-securement procedures.
3. Bring in Mobile Patrol Services
Scheduled or randomized patrols dramatically reduce the likelihood of a successful burglary. A patrol car passing by at 2:30 a.m. can deter would-be criminals looking for a quiet hit. Plus, these officers can verify alarms, identify suspicious behavior, and serve as your eyes and ears when your business is closed.
4. Enhance Surveillance Visibility
Install and properly maintain visible, high-resolution cameras—especially near entry points, parking lots, and ATMs. Display signage indicating 24/7 video monitoring. Consider using motion-activated flood lights or even remote speaker systems to address intruders in real time. Modern systems with cloud backup can ensure footage is not lost if cameras are damaged.
5. Train Staff for Preparedness
Involve your team in security protocols. From knowing how to respond to a broken window upon opening the store, to following lock-up procedures and checking for suspicious activity before leaving, your staff can be a frontline defense. Routine walkthroughs and checklists help ensure procedures are actually followed.
✅ Bottom Line: Don’t Wait Until It Happens
The jump in smash and grab incidents is no longer a future risk—it’s a current crisis affecting real businesses right here in Colorado Springs. Whether you're in downtown, Northgate, or near Academy Boulevard, the threat is no longer theoretical.
Every dollar invested in prevention now is a dollar—and a headache—saved later. Security isn’t just about locks and lights anymore; it’s about taking a layered, proactive approach that shows would-be criminals your business is not an easy target.
📞 Don’t wait until your storefront makes the evening news. Contact Saber Security Solutions today to schedule a free risk assessment and learn how our mobile patrol and security services can give you 24/7 peace of mind.
