DESPITE MARIJUANA, BRECKENRIDGE IS PLENTY SAFE

Re. "Potheads ruining Breckenridge" by Lorie Willis, letters, March 21
I would like to thank Lorie Willis of San Antonio, Texas for her
pleasant description of Breckenridge. It is beautiful, and we do love
it here. I am concerned about a few points in her letter and would
like to share my opinion and some statistics with everyone.

Firstly it was said that Breckenridge is now unsafe due to marijuana
legalization. I went to www.neighborhoodscout.com to check the
statistics. Breckenridge scored a 74 out of 100 for safety with only
.64 violent crimes per year per 1,000 residents; where as a place like
San Antonio, Texas scored a 4 out of 100 for safety with 6.87 violent
crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Clearly Breckenridge is safer
than not only San Antonio but 74 percent of all cities nationwide!

Breckenridge residents voted over 70 percent in favor of legalizing
marijuana, up from over 60 percent in 2006 when asked at the state
level. Breckenridge residents have been consuming cannabis in high
numbers since the late 70s, and its their charm and stewardship of
this great land that attracted people like myself and Lorie to visit
and live. I would argue we shouldn't let a misconception about our
cannabis use lead any of us away from the town of Breckenridge.

Support for legalization grows daily not only in Breck and Summit
County but in the nation and the world. As cannabis consumption rises
and alcohol abuse drops Breckenridge will only become safer and more
family friendly. As always stay classy, Breckenridge

Brian Rogers