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Show Empey to Denver — is struggling with the Thiokol concerned about tenuous image downtown Ogden presents to its guests From 1F Ss x) w Shelley Clarke Cc ) In and has ma < 147 Ut highest crime rates in the state,” about downtownsafety due to the y St. om- Anne’s shelter for the ulee this year the $1 bil- less: “They've left no stone in gh ght there. Things have improy ed. I do believe the city and Lt. (Clark) Combe and Chief »orvthine th Empey have doneeve CT B uit could do.” w Richard Sheppard, owner of Union Station Antiques on 25th Street: “When I needto talk to somebody. I ca ll Mike Empey. He i returns Sadics Empeysaidstatistics aren't readily available, but that in a six-month period last year the department counted just one What is true. Empey said, is that the central part of Ogden has a higher rate of crimethan the city as a whole — due mainly to domestic disturbances and fights in the residential neighborhoods just outside the downtown business district. “There is a great variety of annual aerospace \ has se- TIOUS concerns about downtown Ogden — not the east of which is il “We must work to develop a ] SO what 1 of assaults committed by y stStrangers downtown? McNulty transient-free and gang-free environment downtown.” he said. “As we go around become we hear we havesort of the Western oasis for the quests for corporate participation in — and financial contributions to — various charities and pro- grams. “In a wayit’s kind of nice to not be in demand all the time,” McNulty said. “Obviously, Thiokol has done very well — we've grown and prospered and been able to at- tract and retain top people.” downtown Ogden because — at closing or moving the office, but times — there appearsto be a lot definitely won’t expand there, of transient-types hanging around. Goldenwest has been outspoken in complaining about the move of Clarke said. The credit union plans St. Anne’s in September 1992 from officers. “IT think that’s more than ade- 2763 Lincoln Ave. to its present location at 137 W. Binford just west of Wall Avenue. St. Anne’s typically feeds 300 to quate. I beefed it up because of the guess it’s my own mindset. Most of employee. Todd May, owner of Utah Detective & Security Service, said he neighborhoodhas had problems with drug dealers and gangs. “T think the gang situation is scary. nt not sureit’s a police situation — | thinkit’s a society situation,” she said Added Sheppard: “You're doing a story on downtowncrime? It'll be pretty boring becausethereisn’t much. I have more danger in my neighborhood in central Ogden than I have in downtown Ogden.” There appear to befive key reasons people havefears — in a lot of minutiae there,” he said, referring to the non-stop re- mall's private security staff to 15 perception,” he said. “When Mike Empey says crime is low downtown, it 1s.” But Clarke, of Goldenwest Credit Union, said she parks on the street whohas anoffice on 2Sth Street and says her central Ogden “Salt Lake has a lot of attractions. But you can get caught up said. explaining car burglaries are far more common in residential driveways than in downtown parking lots. Ireland said he’s increased the probiems because of the mix of residential and businesses there. Thereal call volumeis in the east-central area.” hesaid. Two downtownbusiness people who live in that area agreed. They said their neighborhoods are more dangerous than the business district. “I feel pretty safe wherever I go. I my employees think it’s safe,” said advertising executive Joyce Flower, McNulty said. These issues are important for Thiokol, which wants to attract and retain talented managers and frequently hosts high-level visitors from the Department of Defense, NASA and other large companies — plus its own shareholders and directors. “We feel strongly the servicesector growth in the downtown area is critical,” he said. “We'd prefer to be located in an area that appears to be progressive and dynamic.” “It's unfortunate when we have customers and key people here and they spend one night to eventually open a headquarters office in South Ogden — far from St. Anne’s. “With St. Anne’s shelter there it has had an impact,” she said. “As we consider growth we just don’t see it happening with St. Anne’s. Any expansion will not happen here.” St. Anne’s director Chuck Rost- 400 people per day and can house up to 75 men and 15 women. There are also two rooms for homeless families. It’s sponsored when shopping the Ogden City kowski said that in order to help Goldenwest, the shelter recently by a group of local Catholic and Mall because of incidents she’s heard about there — including a purse snatching several years ago in which the victim was a Goldenwest agrees with Empeythat crime is more serious in central Ogden’s neighborhoods than it is downtown. Maysaid that while he wouldn't mind his wife parking in the mall terrace during the day, he wouldn’t Protestant churches, and has received financial support from numerous charities, including the LDS Church. Since St. Anne’s moved down the street from Goldenwest, the credit union has been burglarized three times and police confirmed in one case the burglar was a St. Anne’s resident. Clarke said the credit union also sawits employees approached by panhandlers and found transients asleep shrubs, want her there at night. in movedits lunch hour from noon to 1 p.m. — an hour later — so that its patrons wouldn’t be walking by Goldenwest during the credit union’s busiest period. “I think we should look at the facts. In 21 months, one burglary. I don’t see that as a crime wave,” he said. Rostkowski said the shelter is a benefit to business because it gives the homeless somewhere togo after the dark. “If we're not here, they’re sleeping in abandoned buildings and in “That (the burglaries) had never Transients 4 Jot of people are deterred from happened before in 57 years of business,” she said. Goldenwest is not looking at store entryways.” hesaid. He said that every city of any size in the West — from Pocatello same problem and th t doesnt do much good to think that by closing the shelters the homeless will go away. - “We're struggling with a group of tion effort. The city is not considering ban. ning spray-paint sales to minors — Empey says it’s a statewide issue — or requiring property owners to clean up graffiti. But he’s strongly encouraging people whoare having a hard time getting back into society,” he said “If you don’t like them around your business, put up signs, tell ers to quickly remove graffiti Empey also argues that graffit; them to leave. If you see something and even sightings of gang mem- illegal, do what I do — call the police.” he said. Sheppard doesn’t see a big problem with transients at his antique shop. “I hear businesses complaining bers shouldn't deter people from visiting downtown. that people are panhandling ... I never see it,” he sa Empey sympathizes with businesses that do see a problem, and said he felt the concerns oflocal businesses like Goldenwest may not have been adequately considered when St. Anne’s was allowed to move. Empeyhas his officers vigorously checking out transients — being careful not to harass them or violate their rights — because so manycarry weapons and because manyare wanted on outstanding warrants. Kevin Thompson, director of health education and injurycontrol at the Weber-Morgan Health Department at 26th and Grant, said transients occasionally show up there seeking health services. They’re available in some cities at health departments, but not in Ogden. The Ogden Police Department does a good job controlling transients who become a danger to themselves or others, Thompson sald. business people and property own- “The real issue with gangs is the perception,” he said. “We don’t see gangs hassling citizens. But the perception that people have ofgang attire makes people afraid to come around.” Cruising On the one hand, Empey is tell- ing people it’s safe to visit down- town. On the other, he’s asking the city council to ban cruising on Washington Boulevard, citing increased crime and violence among the young cruisers. But Empey sees no contradiction there. “Part of the goal of this cruising program is to make downtown more appealing to everyone — not just the cruisers,” he said Again, Empeysaid the perception of crime among the cruisersis scaring people away from down- town — even though the cruisers typically only fight among themselves. Perceptions Empeysees a parallel between the perception of crime downtown and the perception of safety on the Ogden River Parkway. He argues that the parkwayused Graffiti to be considered a dangerous place — but all that changed when it was Empey says the most important thing to understand is that just 10 to 15 percent of the graffiti in Ogden is painted by gang members. developed, people started going The rest is by “taggers,” who consider graffiti “art.” “This particular culture feels it’s artistic — we feel it’s vandalism.” Empeyhas devoted considerable resources to tracking downthe taggers: two detectives spend most of their time on graffiti. And patrol officers are always on the lookout for painters. Empeyis working with the adult and juvenile courts to develop consistent penalties for vandalism and to involve parents in the preven- there and the police became more visible. “The more people are here on business, the moreit tendsto dis- courage what some people feel are undesirables,” he said. “It’s kind of a chicken and egg thing.” It will take time to erase the negative perceptions of downtown. In the meantime, caution is the buzzword. Some companieshave secu- rity guards escort employees to their cars after dark. As Clarke put it: “I’m frightened of the teen gangs running around. | see evidenceofit. I still carry Mace when I leave my office.” founded or not — of visiting and shopping in downtown Ogden: w |. The bloody history of 25th Street gw 2. Incidents of purse-snatchings, car break-ins and assaults in the Ogden City Mall parking terrace — incidents that spread word-of-mouth like wildfire and sull deter shoppers despite improvedlighting and stepped up security w 3. Transients, the homeless and others in unfortunate circumstances staying at places like the Ogden Rescue Mission andthe subsidized-rent Marion Hotel eee apartments m4. Graffiti and fear of gangs. w5. Washington Boulevard cruisers 25th Street Empey recalled that when he joined the police department in 1971, 25th Street was at the tail end of its boom years “There were lots of bar fights. It would be rare to go a week without a serious stabbing or shooting,” Empey said. “That has changed dramatically.” City and federal redevelopment areas have much of thestreet bustling with more legitimate businesses ranging from antique shops oe a @ Oh,|I've got me ahome, so I'llget mea loan, to an ice cream shopto restaurants and these optionsare available all day. and professional offices. Police crackdowns. closure of someof the more notorious bars and theintolerance of neighboring business people have dramatically reduced crime on the street PRIME RATE “Il come in and out of the shop ill the time at all times of dav and night. We'v y had a minimal problem,” said Becky Reis, owner of the Daily Grind. “It hasn't been » much with crime as it has been been with panhandling, As far as rctnal ‘+ actual crime ve not had a prob- Toro Lawn Mower JVC Hi-Fi VCR with remote 20" Hitachi TV with remote $300Travel Certificate Prime Rate for Six Months lem.” Added Sheppard, whose shop 1s near 25th and Wall across thestreet from a few biker bars: “I’ve been on the street six years. I haven't seen any problem with the bikers.” “Those guys police themselves real well, All people see is they've got long hair and they'vegot leather. They ride motorcycles — ooh they're scary. These are the same guys who collect Christmas toys for kids,” Sheppard said he tourists don’t have that fear of crime, it’s only the locals,” Sheppard said. “I have ladies say, ‘My husband won't let me come down here so I snuck in.” Richard Krebs, manager of the Marion Hotel apartments at 25th and Lincoln, said thestreet is a lot safer than it used to be and he wouldn't discourage people from walking it during the day But at night there are still plenty Whether your homeisin thecityor in the suburbs, a Home Equity Linefrom First Security Bank of Utah can make your homesweet-homea wholelot sweeter. Want some proof? Just open a Home EquityLine with First Security Bank of Utah, and you'll get to choosefromoneoffour great gifts or a great interestrate. If youpicktheinterest rate option, yourrate will be calculated using the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) variable prime rate, currently7.25%", for thefirst six months. 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With a great rate, no fees andfive great options to choose from,it’s what you'd expect fromthe bank that’s “currently giving 110%.” For moreinformation, visit anyFirst Securitybranchin Utah, or call 1-800-657-6656 Member F.DIC Promotion ends June30,1994, of drunks who may harass people he said “In the nighttime hours, I can't recommend that to anyone.” he said of walking the streets at night Mall parking terrace Is it safe? It depends on who you Offer good for new *As ot May H me Equit qu m I'v Is 194. the WS] ery pay ditter ht v due to product availabilit The maximum interest rate 0 be applied toward travel purchase throug! Mortis Tr | Sew brar EQUAL HOUSING OPPOMT UNITY talk to “The terracc really gets a bad rap. | park my car there I don’t want my car broken into,” Empey . j ms Travel Gilt Certificate to ~ yh aw ouPeRS Oe Ow OES here and the next time theystay in Salt Lake,” he said. “I wish we had moreeating establishments and another hotel.” There is a bright side for Thiokol maintaining its headquarters in Ogden as opposed, to say, Salt Lake City. president tf Goldenwest Credit | n. 26th St.. who works with | rx Standard-Examine, SS einer BUSINESS |