The Raton Business Task Force called for a public meeting on Thursday, March 21 to discuss what has happened since the group was formed and what the group has been working on since it was formed in October of 2023 following an epidemic of commercial burglaries.
At that October meeting in KBobs there was a full room of residents and business owners concerned about the situation. Shortly after that, a suspect was apprehended and the burglaries declined. But the Task Force has kept meeting on a regular monthly basis and even though the crowd was thin at the Shuler Theater, spokesperson Alisha Grubelnik said they are applying for a non-pro501c6 status to be able to accomplish more. The difference between a 501c3 and a 501c6 being the goal of most 501c3 organizations is charitable, while 501c6 organizations are mainly business or membership nonprofits.
Former Magistrate Judge Warren Walton addressed Bail Reform Legislation that passed in 2016 as one of the worst things to happen to the judicial system, citing that major reform needs to happen to fix the broken system which is letting criminals out who should still be in jail. Deputy Chief James Valdez of Raton PD echoed the frustration saying it’s a problem that is taking down our society. Valdez gave an update on the RPD saying three command officers, one first line supervisor and 9 patrol officers including one new hire and another coming from Illinois to start soon leaves the department with 14 officers and room for one more as the force is budgeted for 15. The force has been back on 24 hour patrols since November 29, 2023. Valdez said the new cameras the force was provided with have had a major impact and have been a “force multiplier” giving the police and extra officer’s pair of eyes and would be moving throughout the community wherever and whenever needed.
Grubelnik said the committee expressed a desire to get out more information to the public in the form of crime statistics and they weren’t sure how they were going to do it, but they are checking options.
Committee member Jenny Wainwright pointed out how the committee realized that the physical appearance of a businesses or private property can help deter crime. The well-lit, well-groomed property is a deterrent for loitering and panhandling and the sense of pride instilled plus increased security and safety of cleaning it up helps everyone in the community. The committee cited how the look of the town is in need of cleaning up asked for citizens, groups, church groups and organizations to just get it cleaned up. Wainwright said they are looking at a date after Mother’s Day for a Community Spring Clean Up Day.
Several members of the Community and business owners were in attendance including Raton City Manager Rick Mestas and Colfax County Manager Monte Gore,
The Committee’s next meeting will be on April 11.
