CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Salt Lake City police response times getting longer

Sep 23, 2021, 5:18 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 12:07 pm

shooting downtown...

A Salt Lake City Police car parked in front of the Skyhouse Apartments in Salt Lake City after two individuals were shot. (Colby Walker | KSLNewsRadio)

(Colby Walker | KSLNewsRadio)

SALT LAKE CITY — Officer response times in Salt Lake City are getting worse, according to new data from the Salt Lake City Police Department

Officer response times increasing in Salt Lake City

According to data compiled between January and August 2021, officer response times are up across three of the highest priority levels. 

Officer response times through 2021, courtesy of Salt Lake City Police Department

SLCPD classifies the priority of calls as follows: 

PRIORITY 1: Requires immediate attention. All in-progress crimes, major crimes just occurred with a timelapse of five minutes or less for property crimes and 15 minutes or less for crimes against a person.

PRIORITY 2: Minor crimes just occurred and calls requiring immediate attention.

PRIORITY 3: Non-emergency calls requiring prompt attention.

The department says it adjusts priorities based on the circumstances of a given call. 

One resident says his neighborhood is no longer safe

Jake Cornia lives in Liberty Wells, near the soon-to-be-demolished Coachman’s restaurant. He says his neighborhood has changed dramatically in the two decades he has been there. 

“Honestly, it’s just not a safe neighborhood anymore,” he said. 

Cornia says he considered the area around his home very safe as of a few years ago. He describes quick response times from police officers and friendly detectives. 

That’s not the case anymore, according to Cornia. 

“When I call about an incident, they just don’t show up and it seems like dispatch just doesn’t care,” he said. 

He says there have been shootings, drug deals, fights in the street, possible domestic violence, and potential prostitution. Cornia says he feels uncomfortable walking his dog at night. 

“If you’re inside your home, you’re probably good; but if you’re walking outside, I don’t feel safe whatsoever,” he said. 

He hopes SLCPD is able to hire the officers it needs so they can again provide the service his neighborhood needs. 

Response time is not all bad

Meanwhile, one business on the westside of Salt Lake City is perfectly content with the response time. 

A supervisor with the Utah Pet Grooming School, at 973 W North Temple, says the city’s police officers have shown up in reasonable amounts of time whenever they have called. 

The woman explains a time where someone she believed to be high on drugs caused an unsafe situation. She says the person started acting erratically and began hitting an exterior window with a piece of metal after being asked to leave. 

However, the supervisor says officers were there in a flash to deescalate the situation and detain the person causing the problem. 

She says police have also been quick to handle people she believes to be sex workers standing on a nearby corner. 

To her, an increased response time has not been readily apparent. 

“They’ve always done right by me,” she said. 

The mayor’s office chimes in

The office of Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall released the following statement Thursday afternoon: 

While we know that not all calls for service are crime-related, giving the Salt Lake City Police Department the resources they need to help our residents is a priority for the Mayor. One important component of call response time is the department’s staffing levels and on June 25 the Mayor increased officer pay to top-of-market so that our City is better equipped to attract and retain great officers for our community. The Mayor is a leader who is committed to consistently prioritizing the safety of our City’s residents, visitors and business owners.

Read more

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

IRS texts are bogus. Picture shows a sign saying "warning, scam alert" on a keyboard...

Britt Johnson

Millions to be paid for Utah’s largest real estate scheme settlement

Over $10 million in refunds will go to victims of a Utah-based real estate scheme following the settlement of a lawsuit.

9 hours ago

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after he allegedly t...

Pat Reavy, ksl.com

West Jordan man shot, killed best friend while trying to ‘be funny,’ police say

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after shooting his "best friend."

17 hours ago

FILE: The bust of 30 pounds of fentanyl in American Fork on March 21 highlights the drug problem Ut...

Heather Peterson and Curt Gresseth

DEA warns fentanyl most deadly drug in U.S. and Utah history

The DEA said Utah is on pace to see double the amount of fentanyl this year than last.

21 hours ago

A woman in SLC was a victim of a hit-and-run on March 11....

KSL NewsRadio

S.L. County DA says driver in hit-and-run crashes stalked victims

The Salt Lake County district attorney said the driver allegedly involved in a series of hit-and-run crashes intentionally targeted his female victims

1 day ago

Teens arrested for killing Alex Franco who is shown in this photo...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Teens arrested in Taylorsville kidnapping-killing investigation to face charges as adults

Two teens that were arrested for the kidnapping and killing of a Taylorsville man will be charged as adults.

1 day ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Salt Lake City police response times getting longer