Parts of Pueblo's eastside have bad reputations, but probably none of them are as bad as what some residents call the “Devil's Triangle.”

The triangle consists of three locations all on East Fourth Street just east of the Arkansas River bridge. Two bars and the 7-Eleven make up the points of the triangle. The triangle itself simply represents the general area where several violent crimes have occurred. Inside the triangle, prostitution has become a problem.

That could all change quickly, however, because the Pueblo Police Department has just opened a substation on East Fourth, right in the middle of the triangle. The idea is to increase police presence in the area, and clean up the streets.

The substation will be operated by a civilian clerk who will greet and handle walk-in resident concerns. If the situation warrants it, the officer assigned to the substation will follow up with the residents as well. They will also patrol the general area, both on foot and by car. Other officers will also be in and out of the building conducting various business. Whether it's writing reports, or meeting with residents, someone is likely to be in the station at all times.

Detective Gerald LeRay requested the post, and is looking forward to getting out into the neighborhood and cracking down on its crime. He says, he started on the eastside and is ready to come back to make a difference. With a flexible schedule, LeRay will be able to monitor the triangle, both in and out of uniform, at the necessary times.

Residents living near the “Devil's Triangle” say they are happy the substation opened. One resident says she has drunks stumbling and often falling down in her yard. She, and others, hope the increased presence will put an end to that, and all of the other illicit happenings in the area. “The police substation is going to help a lot with the prostitution problem that we have been having, and going to make the neighborhood feel more secure," says Anthony Carbajal, the Vice President of the Eastside Neighborhood Association.

Others were not as pleased to see the police open up shop. A man carrying a sign that read, "No Cop Station Here" protested in front of the substation during its grand opening Monday afternoon. Several elected officials took the time to speak with the man about his concerns.