Normally the bi-monthly District 4 Commander's meetings deal with issues within the district from a large variety of neighborhood organizations, City Council members, COP Shops, and other representatives. The meeting on September 9 broke form by spending a majority of the time addressing and discussing two issues of major concern to the residents of southwest Denver.
Those issues were the rampant graffiti and the aggressive panhandling along the Federal Boulevard corridor. Officers Gray and Alarcon announced the arrest of six individuals for graffiti vandalism in the week previous. The District also conducted a graffiti sting on August 13 that included Federal and Sheridan Boulevards. Denver and Lakewood Police Departments acted in tandem on this effort. In addition 600 instances of graffiti were reported to Denver Partners Against Graffiti along the Federal Boulevard corridor from Colfax to the southern border of the city in late August. DPAG conducted a major cleanup of Federal, and a noticeable difference can be noted. Unfortunately, efforts need to be maintained to make a lasting difference.
The officers also noted vandals are stealing fire extinguishers to refit them as spray painters. Apartments, businesses, and others owning extinguishers are urged to mark them so that if an extinguisher is obtained during an arrest, it can be used as evidence of theft against the perpetrator. They have also graduated to using paint rollers to vandalize roofs of prominent buildings. One vandal has been arrested having done over $10,000 worth of damage in recent months.
Councilman Paul López continues to work with Lakewood officials in an attempt to have Lakewood institute an ordinance requiring the locking up of spray paint by merchants.
One recent change should be noted for those who report graffiti. Reports can be made by calling 3-1-1, whose operators are responsible for seeing if a property has a signed waiver allowing the City to remove graffiti. If not, the report is forwarded on to the appropriate Neighborhood Inspector Service officer to investigate and urge the resident or businessowner to sign an authorization or remove the graffiti themselves. Reports can also be made by accessing the DPAG website, DPAG@denvergov.org, and using the online reporting form. Council offices and COP Shops also have graffiti removal supplies that are available to residents and businesses.
Recently Amber Callender of the Mayor's office noted that they were considering doing public service announcements about the graffiti problem. Stay tuned!
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to discussing aggressive panhandling in Denver. Sector III officers noted that "Red", one of the most widely known panhandlers, was under arrest for assaulting an officer. "Red" is well known for his aggressive acts at the West Florida and South Federal intersection. Officers emphasized that if a resident is harassed by aggressive panhandling, they need to report the incident promptly and be willing to stay and meet with an officer so that a report can be made and an investigation initiated. This is important so that evidence can be presented to the City Attorney about systematic and long term behavior.
Midway through the meeting representatives from Denver Road Home and the Mayor's office joined the meeting to answer questions, present their views, and listen to resident's concerns. They also detailed their activities in actively encouraged the homeless to take advantage of services and to address the barriers that prevent them from doing so. It was noted that sometimes a homeless individual doesn't agree to be helped until they are very ill and unable to fend for themselves.
One of the issues that is of concern for some in our area, including Jan Belle of SWIC, is the program urging people not to give to panhandlers, but to channel the money to service organizations. Belle felt that a new campaign is needed that tells people simply NOT TO GIVE, noting that the money is not used wisely and only encourages the panhandlers to continue. One Denver Road Home representative noted that $4.5 million is generated by panhandling activities in the Denver area annually.
Heather Barry of the Mayor's office noted that public service announcements can be initiated, but are often aired during hours when they don't compete with paid-for advertising, such as during the middle of the night.
Other news of note includes López' announcement of a new park in his district, the first in over 20 years.
In addition, H.A.L.O. (High Activity Location Observation) cameras are in the process of being set up in 4 locations in the southwest Denver area. Look for a mass press release in October.
Sector I officers and NIS are in the process of cleaning up a property in the 1300 block of West Alameda, where homeless individuals have been living in empty vans and trucks. Although they had the owner's permission, problems have arisen because of illegal activity such as public urinating.
Theft from automobiles continues to be a problem in the West Washington Park area. Every effort is being made to encourage residents not to leave valuables in their vehicles. Officers are patrolling the area and closing open garage doors that invite crime. Bike patrols are being considered.