Larimer County Sheriff's enforcement operation targets East Mulberry corridor

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies conducted a coordinated and targeted enforcement operation in the East Mulberry Corridor in Fort Collins on Aug. 4. The East Mulberry corridor is that area from Timberline Road east to County Road 5. This area has seen an increase in criminal activity including aggravated assaults, illegal narcotics use and distribution, prostitution, criminal gang activity, financial and fraud related crimes as well as property crimes including burglary, theft and trespassing. Additionally, deputies have encountered armed suspects and a high concentration of fugitives with warrants in the targeted area.

This investigation and enforcement operation was designed to contact as many subjects as possible to identify, interdict, investigate and discourage criminal activity by taking appropriate and necessary enforcement actions. The operation included foot, bicycle and vehicle patrols as well as drug investigation surveillance all designed to alert those in the area that law enforcement will be more active now and in the future.

Last night’s action is part of an overall program designed to address the amount and type of criminal activity occurring in the East Mulberry Corridor. Dubbed “Operation New Dawn” this long-term, multi-year program, which began earlier this year, will include as its objectives community outreach, education and involvement as well as coordination of other government resources and services in addition to criminal investigation and enforcement. The program will involve a wide range of agencies including Community Corrections, Probation, Human Services & Child Protection Services, Health & Environment, Planning & Building Services, Larimer County Attorney, Poudre Valley Ambulance, Poudre Fire Authority and Poudre Valley Hospital.

Other agencies participating with the Sheriff’s office in last night’s operation included the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office, Fort Collins Police Services, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado State University Police, Colorado State Parole and Larimer County Parks.

Sheriff Justin Smith said, “Last night’s operation is just one of many actions we will be taking in conjunction with our partners to improve this gateway to our community.”