HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 08/06/2024 - Memorandum from Frank Barrett re: Requested Information: Planned Parenthood Protests and Handling by Police Services
Fort Collins Police Services
2221 S. Timberline Rd.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
(970) 221-6540
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 19, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Frank Barrett, Assistant Chief
Thru: Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
RE: Requested information: Planned Parenthood Protests and Handling by Police Services
Request:
Council requested information regarding the protests at Planned Parenthood and Police
Services response to them.
Background:
Planned Parenthood is located at 825 S. Shields St and, for several years, has had
members of the community out in front of the business protesting in support of and against
the business. In most cases, these protests are peaceful, and the two sides are amicable
towards each other. Fort Collins Police Services has had to respond to confrontations and
issues over the years. Over the last couple of years, Lt. Kevin Cronin has become a point
of contact for both sides, working with Planned Parenthood to try and prevent conflict
between people protesting. Below are the things Police Services do to ensure we are
protecting everyone’s rights to peacefully protest, to operate a business in our community,
and to allow community members to visit the business.
Fort Collins Police Services Actions and Response:
• Police Services has assigned Lt. Cronin as the point of contact for issues at Planned
Parenthood and has a working relationship with both sides.
• Police Services have met with both pro-choice and pro-life and surrounding
businesses. We have explained the law on peaceful protesting, where they can and
can't be (property line for Planned Parenthood), and what the police response will be
to issues between protesting groups.
• Police Services coordinated with Fort Collins Zoning to manually mark survey
property lines to help Planned Parenthood and protesters.
• Police Services walked the property lines with pro-choice and pro-life protesters to
ensure they were not trespassing.
• Lt. Cronin met with the District Attorney and City Attorney offices and reviewed
several cases with them. The outcome helped clarify what cases are prosecutable
and what behaviors may not be prosecutable.
• Police Services met with on-site security at Planned Parenthood and informed them
of the laws and what the protestors can and can't do. They were also provided with
Docusign Envelope ID: 717C9C3A-07D3-4124-B59B-2C9A43B70C8E
suggestions on responding to protesters' resistance and what information 911
operators need when they call.
• Lt. Cronin met with Planned Parenthood's Director of Security for Colorado to help
ensure compliance with municipal and state laws and provided safety information for
staff.
• Every police response requires a police report (crime or no crime), which includes
body-worn camera footage for review later if needed.
• Any suspected crimes that are committed will be screened by the District Attorney's
or City Attorney's office for possible charges.
Calls for Service at Planned Parenthood:
• Since May 1, 2024, calls for service have declined, and no criminal investigations
have been initiated. Most calls concern protesters walking on the sidewalk or
speaking through a portable speaker.
• YTD 43 CFS (calls for service) at Planned Parenthood.
• Of these 43 CFS, 18 reports were written by officers, one case resulted in a
criminal charge, and a second is under investigation.
Month Amount of CFS
January 2
February 3
March 12
April 12
May 9
June 4
July 1
Conclusion:
Police Services has taken several steps to ensure protestors can exercise their rights
peacefully and within the confines of the law. Lt. Cronin has developed great relationships
with all groups, including Planned Parenthood, to help them understand their rights and
what is acceptable and what is not.
Docusign Envelope ID: 717C9C3A-07D3-4124-B59B-2C9A43B70C8E