By Hector Gutierrez
Rocky Mountain News
AURORA, Colo. — Rose Gero’s Pacific Mart in the Gateway Shopping Center had been open only a month and already she was feeling a little stressed out.
First, her car sustained minor damage when another vehicle hit it.
Next, she arrived at her grocery store one morning and found furniture dumped in the loading area.
Then she saw someone in the center’s parking lot urinating, oblivious to his surroundings. You just don’t do that in her native Philippines, Gero said.
What she needed was some advice, and the Aurora Police Department brought it to her first thing Wednesday.
District 2 commanders decided to hold roll calls for their officers in the shopping center’s parking lot for everyone to see.
“Customer service - we want to give the citizens of Aurora an opportunity to see something they don’t normally see - roll call,” Cmdr. Rob McGregor said. “I would like the community to realize that we’re here for them.”
The department distributed fliers to businesses and residents inviting them to see up close what is involved in a roll call. Officers were briefed on incidents from the night before and were told to be aware of larceny cases involving motor vehicles.
Gawking motorists and students who attend nearby Gateway High School saw at least 15 officers and several patrol cars in the shopping center parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and may have thought Aurora police were involved in a major anti-crime operation.
Other roll calls were held at 3:30 p.m. and 10:20 p.m.
Gero was one of the merchants to head out to the morning roll call. “I was the only woman there,” she said.
After she told an officer about her experiences in the few weeks she has operated her business, she was reassured.
“I talked to a police officer, and he said, ‘Whenever you see that, or anything suspicious, you need to call the police,’ ” Gero said. “I was pleased with them. They’re trying to do their jobs in the community.”
McGregor said he wanted his officers out of their District 2 station at East Alameda Avenue and South Sable Boulevard so they could engage in some public service for residents who live in the Settlers Village, Village Green and Sableridge neighborhoods. The commander wanted residents and merchants in the area to know that his cops are approachable.
McGregor said it is the first time the Aurora Police Department has taken roll call to residents. The idea is based on a model implemented by the Chicago Police Department.
Copyright 2009 Rocky Mountain News