Romy Colvin spends his evenings in downtown Salt Lake City with a camera, recording street incidents and stepping in to help when he can. His videos, posted on the local outlet Salt Lake City Scoop, have highlighted a series of fights that many residents say underscore lingering safety worries in the city’s nightlife district.
Colvin’s motivation and recent incidents
Colvin says his desire to assist others grew out of his own experience seeking treatment for alcohol use at Odyssey House, an experience he says taught him accountability and changed his life. He describes himself as a volunteer who is not paid for his work, yet he frequently steps in to stop thefts, assaults, and to look out for people waiting for rides downtown.
Last month, while standing outside Shades on State near 400 South and State Street, Colvin recorded a fight in which a young man was beaten. The victim’s mother, Lisa Candelaria, later received the video and confirmed her son suffered a concussion, blurred vision, and injuries to his throat and neck. She said the attack appeared random and that her son initially wanted to file a police report but changed his mind after officers contacted him.
Police response and crime statistics
Salt Lake City Police Department Detective Michael Ruff told FOX 13 News that violent crime downtown is “remarkably” down, and that the department’s statistics do not show an increase in fights or other violent offenses. Ruff said he has not seen a spike in calls from the area around Shades on State and noted that social‑media platforms can make isolated incidents seem more prevalent because videos circulate from multiple angles.
When Colvin offered the department his video of the recent fight, detectives declined to take it, explaining that the victim did not wish to press charges and that they had no record of a formal report. Ruff added that the department could not confirm whether anyone else had contacted police about the footage.
Additional confrontations and community concerns
The following weekend, Colvin captured another confrontation involving the same group, this time featuring a firearm and a kitchen knife. He believes the violence he witnesses downtown is a serious problem and questions whether official crime figures capture every incident that occurs on the streets.
Detective Ruff countered that the department’s data does not indicate a rise in violent crime and that the visibility of fights may be amplified by online sharing. He urged victims and witnesses to call police so officers can investigate, emphasizing that reporting is essential for accurate statistics and public safety.
Public reaction
Mrs. Candelaria expressed fear that many people stay silent because they are scared, noting that fear can keep victims from speaking up. “Other people won’t speak because they’re scared,” she said. “How can we get this to stop if we don’t speak up for people?”
Colvin acknowledges he does not have a definitive solution to the downtown violence, but he believes documenting incidents can help hold perpetrators accountable. “Talking about it and showing proof is where you get the results,” he said.
What this means for Salt Lake City
While community members like Colvin raise legitimate concerns about safety, the police department’s data suggests that overall violent crime in the downtown area continues to decline. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, report incidents promptly, and support one another, especially those who feel unsafe navigating the city’s nightlife scene.
Original reporting: FOX 13 KSTU (Scripps) – Salt Lake City — read the source article.
