Article Contributed on: 9/5/2009 2:15:09 PM
An open letter of thank you to Denver Partners against Graffiti and Denver Solid Waste Management.
Recently my husband and I walked the entire stretch of Federal Boulevard from Colfax to Floyd Avenue (the southern border of Denver) just north of Hampden. As we walked we noted and photographed 600 instances of graffiti vandalism on 300 properties along that stretch of road.
Quite possibly it had more graffiti on its buildings, bus benches, fences, roofs, light pole, stop sign, etc. that any other street in Denver. We then cataloged the information and the photographs and sent them to Mayor John Hickenlooper with copies to Council members Garcia, Montero, López, Nevitt, and Faatz, whose districts encompass north and south Federal, as well as numerous media outlets.
This effort resulted in several television pieces where I could again highlight this blight on Southwest Denver. However, more importantly I sent the information to Danamarie Schmitt, who is now the interim director of Denver Solid Waste Management. She promptly passed on the information and directed crews to concentrate efforts on cleaning up Federal Boulevard.
I want to thank them for their prompt abatement. What a difference! Today we drove from Jewell Avenue to 6th Avenue and noted only 5 properties needing abatement. This information we'll pass along to Denver Partners against Graffiti for abatement, and we'll continue to drive Federal periodically in hopes of keeping the graffiti at bay at some level.
Danamarie notes that over 10,000 square feet of space were painted over in the space of one week or so. Quite an accomplishment, and one for which I am very grateful.
So thank you again! You too can be part of the clean up effort. Report graffiti regularly by phone at 3-1-1 or access their website by Googling Denver Partners Against Graffiti. The online reporting form is easy to use.