Security and Compassion: Balancing Business Safety and the Homelessness Crisis in Colorado Springs
As a business owner in Colorado Springs, you are likely no stranger to the growing challenges of the homelessness crisis. Recent reports, like the one featured on KKTV, highlight the heartbreaking and difficult reality: when large encampments or transient populations congregate near commercial centers, businesses often face a rise in secondary issues like drug use, vandalism, and, in some tragic cases, human trafficking and prostitution.
At Saber Security Solutions, we want to be clear: we are a compassionate company. We recognize that the individuals experiencing homelessness are our neighbors, and many are facing profound personal hardships. However, we also recognize that as a business owner, your primary responsibility is to maintain a safe environment for your employees and customers.
Maintaining this balance—protecting your livelihood while remaining a compassionate community partner—is difficult. Here is how you can help curb the negative impacts on your business through a strategy of proactive security and community engagement.
1. Environmental Design: "Target Hardening" with Dignity
Security doesn't always mean bars on the windows. You can protect your property through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The goal is to make your property less "hospitable" for illegal activity without making it feel like a fortress.
Eliminate "Dead Spaces": Transient activity often happens in shadowed alcoves or behind large bushes. Use high-quality LED lighting to eliminate dark corners and trim landscaping to maintain clear sightlines.
Secure Utilities: Ensure that outdoor electrical outlets and water spigots are locked or turned off after hours. These are major draws for long-term loitering.
Physical Deterrents: Strategic use of fencing or decorative planters can guide foot traffic toward main entrances and away from private corners where loitering often begins.
2. The Power of "Professional Presence"
A compassionate but firm security presence is often the most effective way to de-escalate potential issues before they start. When a business relies solely on staff to "chase people away," it creates a high-risk situation for the employee and often leads to heightened conflict.
Mobile Security Patrols: Having a marked security vehicle conduct random patrols throughout the day and night sends a clear message that the property is being actively monitored. A professional officer can engage with individuals respectfully, informing them of trespassing laws and directing them toward local resources rather than simply calling the police.
On-Site Guards for High-Traffic Areas: For businesses in the most impacted areas, a dedicated on-site guard provides a constant point of contact. They are trained in de-escalation and can manage loitering or disruptive behavior with a level of professionalism that minimizes liability for the business owner.
3. Proactive Engagement: Helping the Population You Protect
Curbing the issues associated with homelessness often means being part of the solution. A business owner who engages with local outreach programs is often more successful than one who ignores the problem until a crisis occurs.
Partner with Outreach Organizations: Keep a list of local Colorado Springs resources, such as the Springs Rescue Mission or the Salvation Army, on hand. When an individual is loitering on your property, a professional guard or manager can offer a card with resource information. This provides a "pathway out" rather than just a "get out."
Verified Reporting: When illegal activities like drug dealing or human trafficking are suspected—as highlighted in recent local news—it is vital to have verified documentation. Security cameras and professional incident reports provide the evidence law enforcement needs to take priority action.
4. A Unified Front
No business is an island. The issues facing Colorado Springs require a unified response from the business community. We encourage our clients to join local business associations and speak with city leaders about the need for both increased social services and consistent enforcement of city ordinances.
Protecting Your Livelihood, Respecting the Community
At Saber Security Solutions, we believe that security is most effective when it is handled with both strength and empathy. You shouldn't have to choose between being a "good neighbor" and having a safe place to do business.
By layering professional mobile patrols with smart environmental design and community engagement, you can protect your property while supporting the broader efforts to address homelessness in our city.
