PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

August 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Officers Conduct Enhanced Patrol to Address Crime in Liberty Patrol Division Parks

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is conducting enhanced patrols in response to community and public safety concerns related to person and property crime, including illegal camping occurring in parks located throughout the Liberty Patrol Division.

During the first two weeks of the operation, SLCPD officers arrested more than 20 people, responded to nearly 150 calls for service, generated more than 270 proactive calls for service, and issued six misdemeanor citations. Preliminarily, officers also seized more than 2,000 fentanyl pills, 10 grams of cocaine, a firearm, multiple knives, and more than thousands of dollars in cash.

The operation began on Sunday, July 20, 2024 and is ongoing.

The overall objective of this operation is to increase the presence of law enforcement at parks and to engage with community members, including nearby businesses. Parks impacted by this operation include Liberty Park, Jefferson Park, and Fairmont Park.

In addition to having specialty squads, such as the SLCPD’s Homeless Resource Center (HRC) Squads and Liberty Patrol Division Bike Squad, SLCPD social workers are helping officers provide outreach and resources to those experiencing homelessness. Future law enforcement operations are expected.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is providing our community with reminders about how to report crimes:

●       Emergency: Call 9-1-1

●       Non Emergency: 801-799-3000

●       mySLC – Concerns Regarding Homelessness

●       mySLC – Reporting Encampments

●       mySLC – Reporting Hazards: Needles or Biohazards

●       Salt Lake City Police – District Community Liaison Officers (DCLOs)

For additional information on the individuals arrested, including charges and age, please refer to the Utah Courts Xchange system.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police Department patrol SUV parked in Fairmont Park as officers conduct high visibility patrols (SLCPD photo – August 8, 2024).

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