DENVER — Violent gun crime in Denver has fallen by 12% thus far this yr, in response to the Denver Police Division. Nonetheless, some metropolis council members query whether or not the division has been as profitable because it claims, noting their constituents don’t really feel protected.
Ryan Zeman has lived in Denver’s West Colfax neighborhood for seven years.
“There was a giant West Colfax redevelopment plan that town launched, and being in actual property, I noticed a variety of alternative on this neighborhood to develop,” stated Zeman.
Nonetheless, Zeman stated issues have gotten worse. He and his neighbors have reportedly seen a rise in individuals utilizing medication within the open. He’s additionally heard about extra thefts and different crimes.
“We’ve fairly a little bit of drug use behind our home, in our alley,” Zeman stated. “There was a taking pictures that concerned one among our neighbors in the previous few months as nicely.”
Zeman stated a variety of that exercise has made its strategy to Paco Sanchez Park. These varieties of considerations are why DPD chosen the realm across the park as one among its “rising sizzling spots” to concentrate on this yr.
It’s a part of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s purpose to cut back violent gun crime in Denver by 20% this yr. DPD initially listed 5 sizzling spots, however the checklist elevated to seven with the addition of Decrease Downtown (LoDo) and La Alma/Lincoln Park.
DPD stated its sizzling spot technique helped scale back violent crime close to Federal Boulevard and Alameda Avenue a few years in the past and it hopes to duplicate that success in different elements of town.
Denver
Mayor Mike Johnston says he desires to cut back violent gun crime by 20% this yr
Denver PD leaders gave the Denver Metropolis Council an replace on its technique on Wednesday.
Commander Jacob Herrera stated there’s been a 12% discount in violent gun crime throughout town this yr. He additionally reported a lower in murders dedicated with firearms. However some council members stated their constituents do not feel protected, regardless of what the statistics present.
“We reside with fixed gunfire all night time,” stated Denver Metropolis Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez. “I used to be simply at a group assembly final night time, and there’s this query of do I want my husband to stroll me out to my work at night time as a result of I don’t really feel protected? Am I overreacting or not? Individuals don’t know what’s occurring.”
Alvidrez believes a variety of crime just isn’t being reported, together with crime happening close to Federal and Alameda, the place a Walgreens location not too long ago closed. The corporate didn’t point out crime as a motive for the closure, however different companies have closed shops as a consequence of retail theft.
Herrera stated DPD’s sizzling spot technique is nice at decreasing violent gun crime, however stated it’s not efficient in addressing different varieties of crime.
“It’s not a great match for decreasing theft at Walgreens, for example,” stated Herrera.
He stated the division will do extra work to handle these varieties of crime subsequent yr.
“One of many issues we’re going to develop subsequent yr is a problem-solving workforce that may actually deal with high quality of life points,” stated Herrera.
Along with growing its patrols, Denver PD has additionally targeted on crime prevention by way of environmental design (CPTED).
CPTED is a nationally acknowledged crime discount technique that focuses on making bodily enhancements, reminiscent of including higher lighting and putting in safety cameras. Supporters of CPTED say such easy modifications can discourage individuals from committing crimes in sure areas.
Coloradans making a distinction | Denver7 featured movies
Denver7 is dedicated to creating a distinction in our group by standing up for what’s proper, listening, lending a serving to hand and following by way of on guarantees. See that work in motion, within the movies above.
