City Councilman Ed Phillipsen wrote an editorial for today’s Greeley Tribune accusing the Larimer County Sherrif of implying that Greeley’s unwillingness to accept gang activity, the success of our police in arresting gangsters and the success of our district attorney in sending them up the river for long sentences is somehow wrong and unfair.

Finding this a bit harsh, I went back and read the article where the Larimer County Sherriff makes comments on the gang issue. I found no such implications and in fact two law enforcment officials from Fort Collins and Loveland were quoted as saying

Greeley’s gang unit is doing an excellent job at tracking down criminals involved in gangs

Phillipsen also implies that Greeley’s gang problem is under control due to the efforts of the City Council and Police department. While I appreciate the efforts our city government has went to to address gang related crime, stating that “..gang-bangers have decided to leave our community…” is both prideful and premature.

Publicly striking up controversy with regional law enforcement serves little purpose. Phillipsen appears to have written the article to publicize the efforts of both himself and the city in general. While it’s true that Greeley has done much to address this particular problem, boasting about the current level of success just underscores the (unwarranted) inferiority complex many Greeley residents feel. If his intent is to improve the city’s image he should continue to work and address the many other issues the city has rather than jump on his soapbox and preach about Greeley’s superior accomplishments. Any improvements the city makes will stand on their own merit.