Downtown street ambassadors listen as Peggy Hostetter, long-time resident at The Gateway, says she as noticed the improvement in safety in her area as two new reports confirming that The Gateway and the Rio Grande area of downtown Salt Lake City have realized a dramatic decrease in crime. The reports were announced during a press conference at the Grand Hall at The Gateway in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. The Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake City and Visit Salt Lake partnered to launch the ÒDowntown Street Ambassador ProgramÓ in spring 2018. The program deploys as many as eight ambassadors in major pedestrian thoroughfares throughout the year. The goal is to create an even more welcoming and safe city center for residents and visitors.

Owners report crime decline at Salt Lake City shopping mall

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Officials say crime rates have been significantly reduced at a shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Arizona-based Vestar announced Tuesday the results of an effort to slash crime at The Gateway shopping area — an effort that was initiated after the company purchased the property in 2016.

The company hired Trident Security to compile a report that indicates serious felonies around the center have dropped from 26 in 2015 to three last year.

The report shows drug-related offenses, property crimes and other reports of bad behavior have all been reduced since 2015.

The company says it has spent nearly $1.5 million each year on private security as part of a $100 million overhaul.

Crime statistics from Salt Lake City police also show crime declining from 2015 to 2016.