|
Join your police officers for the monthly CAB meeting, tonight, Oct. 10, 6 pm at District 4 Police Station (2100 Clay Street.) Learn about crime in your area and prevention tips.
Denver is expected to have another fun and busy weekend with the first three-day Grandoozy music festival, Sept. 14th through the 16th, at the Overland Park Golf Course at 1801 S. Huron Street. Gates open each day at 1:30 p.m. with performances ending around 10:00 p.m.
The scale and unique scope of this music festival is the first of its kind in Denver and the Denver Police Department offers the following tips for a safe and successful weekend: For those who live or travel in the area of Overland Park Golf Course:
For the most up-to-date festival information, visitwww.grandoozy.com. For questions or concerns, please call the Grandoozy Community Hotline at (720) 669-8410. The dates and locations for four community meetings the city will host to gather community feedback on what residents expect of Denver’s next Police Chief.
“Community input is a vital component of the selection of Denver’s next Police Chief, and these community meetings will provide that opportunity for residents to voice what qualities and attributes we should consider in making that selection,” Mayor Hancock said. The Police Chief Search Community Meetings will be held:
The city has also set up an email address – OurNextChief@denvergov.org – as an additional platform for public input. Feedback emailed through Sunday, June 10 will be advanced to the Police Chief Search Committee, along with the input collected at the four community meetings, so that the committee may consider it as they work to identify candidates for consideration by Mayor Hancock. Mayor Hancock announced the launch of the Police Chief application process and the members appointed to the Police Chief Search Committee on May 10. Current and retired members of the Denver Police Department who have held a rank of Lieutenant or higher for at least five years can apply for the Police Chief appointment at www.denvergov.org/jobs until May 27. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a non-profit with more than 30 years of expertise in recruiting and identifying well-qualified candidates for the appointment of Police Chief, will review applicant submissions and advance a pool of qualified candidates to the Police Chief Search Committee. The committee will review the pool of candidates, interview individuals that meet the expectations established through community input, and advance candidates to the Mayor. The members of the Police Chief Search Committee are:
 Today, the nonprofit organization Citizens Appreciate Police (CAP) recognized 10 Denver Police officers for going beyond the call of duty to help members of our community. Formed in 1978 by Mayor Bill McNichols and District Attorney Dale Tooley, CAP is a nonprofit organization that recognizes Denver police officers who serve the public above the regular call of duty. Since its inception, more than 400 officers have received the CAP award. The officers honored today are:
Officer Monique Sedberry was dispatched to a southwest Denver school on a report that a student was being bullied. On that call, she befriended the young man named Victor. Victor is legally blind and was being teased by other students for his vision impairment. Since that initial meeting, Officer Sedberry has maintained their friendship, visiting Victor at home on a regular basis and introducing him to other officers. As the new school year approached, Officer Sedberry and Officer Alicia Martinez learned that Victor’s family was struggling to equip him and his four siblings with school supplies for the year. So, the crime-fighting duo bought five backpacks, loaded them up with various school supplies and delivered them to family, who were all very grateful for the officers’ kindness and generosity. 
For the second year in a row, the District Four Impact Team and District Four Community Resource Officers banded together and contributed their personal money to support a District Four family in need for the Christmas Holiday. In 2017, the eight involved officers supported the family of Lizuly Torres, who passed away in November of 2017 just months after being diagnosed with cancer, leaving behind a husband and two small children, ages 7 years-old and 1 year-old. The officers went shopping and bought gifts for the family, including Lizuly’s sister and niece. In addition to the presents purchased, the officers also ensured that the family had a meal large enough for 10 people, so the family could gather together and celebrate Christmas the way Lizuly would have had them do. Enough money was donated that no additional gifts or food needed to be purchased by the family for the Christmas celebration. “These stories are great examples, among many similar situations, of officers going out of their way to make a positive impact in the lives of the residents they serve,” said Denver Chief of Police Robert C. White. “My sincere appreciation goes out to these officers, and all of our officers, who show heart and compassion in serving and caring for this great city.” The CAP board, consisting of 16 citizen volunteers, meets four times a year to review nominations, select recipients, and present awards. Each award winner receives a pin that is worn on the officer's uniform and a plaque. Nominations for the CAP Award come primarily from letters to the Chief of Police from private citizens applauding officers for their actions while either on or off duty. Nomination letters may be sent directly to Chief White at: Citizens Appreciate Police, 1331 Cherokee St, Denver, CO 80204, Attn: Chief of Police Office. Nominations can also be emailed directly to the CAP board at CAPBoardDenver@gmail.com. With April designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the City and County of Denver and partners continue educating the community about the importance of believing victims of sexual assault. With the momentum of the #MeToo movement, everyday more and more survivors are bravely telling their stories. Do you know how best to react if a loved one tells you they were sexually assaulted? Your reaction matters. Please, start by believing victims.
Because you probably won’t know when a coworker, sister, brother, friend, or child may tell you they were sexually assaulted, everyone is encouraged to visit www.Denvergov.org/StartbyBelieving to prepare themselves for that important conversation. After being sexually assaulted, survivors may find it difficult to tell someone or talk about it for a number of reasons — fear, shame, doubt. It is critical that they understand it’s not their fault and that friends and family members know how to start by believing when someone confides in them, which is why Denver’s campaign continues with “Know Action”:
In its fourth year, Denver’s Start by Believing campaign is a collaborative effort between the following agencies: Denver District Attorney’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Denver Police Department, Denver Marketing Office, Sexual Assault Interagency Council, and The Blue Bench. The Start by Believing campaign was developed by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI). Additionally, thanks to the following sponsors for their contributions to Denver’s Start by Believing campaign: Lamar Advertising, which generously donated billboard space; Outdoor Promotions LLC, which donated bus shelter advertising space; 5280 Magazine, which donated space for a full-page ad in a coming issue, and Westword, which is running Denver’s Start by Believing ads. If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted, there are many resources available:
With the recent change to the Denver Revised Municipal Code (D.R.M.C.) 38-130, bump stocks are now illegal to sell, carry, store, or otherwise possess in Denver. According to the D.R.M.C. 38-130(2), bump stocks are defined as any device for a pistol, rifle, or shotgun that increases the rate of fire achievable with such weapon by using energy from the recoil of the weapon to generate a reciprocating action that facilitates repeated activation of the trigger.
If Denver residents are in possession of a bump stock, and would like turn-in their bump stock to the Denver Police Department, they can do so at any Denver Police Station. Anyone in Denver who is charged in possessing, selling, carrying, or storing a bump stock, will be subjected to a fine and/or incarceration. The fine for violating this ordinance is between $100 to $999. If incarcerated, time spent can range from 10 to 180 days. We get it, no one likes climbing into a bone-chilling cold car, but warming up a vehicle while leaving it running unattended – “puffing” – is a golden invitation to car thieves. The proof? In Denver, 185 “puffers” were stolen between November 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018! The Denver Police Department is asking for residents’ help in applying the brakes to this car theft trend by simply remaining in their car while it’s idling and warming to a good operating temperature. And good habits for preventing car theft year-round are:
Besides increasing the risk of thieves stealing a car, “puffing” can also result in a citation, even if the vehicle is equipped with a remote start system.  Denver Inner City Parish (DICP), a human services nonprofit, announced today that it will be hosting 100 men with criminal records at the Suits for Success event, which will be held at College View Community Center in southwest Denver on Friday, February 9. Participants, primarily from area halfway houses, will meet with felon-friendly employers, shop for professional clothing, workshop their resumes, and practice interviewing. Suits for Success is the brainchild of DICP’s Leo Alirez, the Director of College View Community Center. Once a gang member, Alirez now holds a degree in addictions from Metropolitan State University and an honorary doctorate from the Colorado Urban Institute; additionally, he has clocked over a decade working in partnership with Colorado’s criminal justice system and helping those with records reintegrate into society. Alirez offered: “We hosted two Suits for Success events in 2017 and the response was phenomenal – we are excited to be bringing it back in 2018. When you look good, you feel good, and for many of the men who come to this, their confidence has been broken down from a lack of employment opportunities. Their records keep them from getting jobs, and this often leads them back to the criminal behavior that landed them in jail in the first place. We work with them to build their confidence and then connect them with employers who share our belief in second chances. We help build skills and connect them with resources they need to find and maintain gainful employment; many will even leave with interviews lined up.” The College View neighborhood where Suits for Success will be held is one of the city’s low-opportunity areas, with nearly 45% of people living in poverty1 and only 48% of adults holding a high school diploma2. At Suits for Success, Denver Inner City Parish creates opportunity and provides resources, tools, and skills-building workshops that bring men with criminal backgrounds into view of their potential. Those wishing to participate in or contribute to Suits for Success should contact Jackie Gallegos at (303)350-5565. To make a tax-deductible monetary donation visit www.dicp.org/donate or mail directly to Denver Inner City Parish: 1212 Mariposa Street, Denver, CO 80204, Attn: Development. About Denver Inner City Parish Denver Inner City Parish is a grassroots, community-focused human services nonprofit that has been “welcoming and empowering people in need through support, determination, and community” since 1960. It offers a wide variety of services across three Denver locations that focus on 1) Hunger relief and Nutrition, 2) Youth Education and Development, 3) Individual Empowerment, and 4) Community Enrichment.  Denver City Council is seeking qualified individuals to represent Council on the City’s Civil Service Commission. There will be one open vacancy as a Council appointment and one joint appointment of Council and the Mayor’s Office. Appointment terms are for two years.
Purpose: Based on the City & County Charter 9.3.1, the purpose of the Civil Service Commission is to establish, foster, and maintain a merit personnel system providing for the selection and appointment by the Manager of Safety to the Denver Fire and Police Departments the best qualified applicants and the promotion within the Classified Service. In addition, the Commission establishes and administers a disciplinary and disqualification review process. Composition: Based on Charter 9.3.2 (c) appointments to the Commission, the Mayor and City Council shall consider the diversity of the citizens of the City & County of Denver. Meetings: All Commission meetings are held at 9:30 am in Room 761 (7th Floor) at the Post Building, 101 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO, 80202. A $100 stipend per meeting is provided. There is no more than one meeting per day. Application Process: Please send your resume and cover letter to Debra Bartleson, Legislative Services, Denver City Council, 1437 Bannock Street, Room 451, Denver, CO, 80202 by Friday, January 5, 2018, or by email at Debra.Bartleson@denvergov.org -OR- apply at http://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/mayors-office/about-the-office-of-the-mayor/boards-commissions/boards-commissions-apply.html with Barry Burch at the Mayor’s Office. For more information contact Ms. Bartleson at 720-337-2003 or Mr. Burch at 720-865-9128. Residents Will Hear Gunshots in Several Neighborhoods Monday Night
On Monday night, November 6, 2017, between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., the Denver Police Department (DPD) will be conducting live-gunfire testing of the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system. ShotSpotter detects the sound of gunshots and helps DPD to identify the area in which the shots were fired. This exercise will test the current system and does not include any new locations or installations of the system. The live gunfire tests will take place in the Westwood, Villa Park, Clayton and Montbello neighborhoods. The controlled tests will consist of a sequence of gunshots followed by validation of sound detection by ShotSpotter. During the tests, a bullet trap will be used to ensure public safety -- no bullets will be fired into the air or ground, and there is no danger to the public. The hours of 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. were chosen for testing because the majority of shootings and shots fired occur at night and in the early morning hours and acoustics are different at night. The ShotSpotter system uses a network of acoustic sensors to detect when a gun is fired and then precisely and quickly pinpoints the location of the gunfire. In less than a minute, ShotSpotter notifies 911 dispatchers of the incidents. By quickly notifying police with the precise information, ShotSpotter helps speed police response, has the potential to save lives, increases weapons-related arrests, and enhances the safety of our neighborhoods. While the ShotSpotter system is very effective, DPD still encourages the community to report sounds of gunfire. Denver ShotSpotter Facts:
The BBQ at Athmar Park was a huge success! Over 300 residents joined GRID, DPD and our Safe Haven faith partners to begin the healing process related to a recent double shooting near the park. The participation exceeded expectations and food supplies, however, members from the Safe Haven network showed up with additional provisions to support the continuation of the supportive, community gathering. Yesterday’s successful event is an excellent example of city officials and the faith-based community coming together to support healing and connectivity in our neighborhoods! Attached are a few pictures that were taken at the BBQ. The Safe Haven initiative is a direct result of the call to action the Mayor and Executive Director O’Malley made to the faith-based community when they met with them in 2015. After that call was made, faith partners began working with GRID to develop the initiative, and they remain active partners today. Additionally, GRID will activate a Safe Haven at Athmar Park Church to support community members who may have been directly or indirectly impacted by the incident. Refreshments and child care will be provided. When: Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21, 3PM to 8PM. Where: Athmar Park Church, 2707 W. Mississippi Ave
In response to the recent shooting that occurred near Kentucky and Alcott, the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver (GRID) is hosting a barbeque at Athmar Park, across from the intersection of Kentucky and Alcott, from 5PM to 8PM TODAY, July 19. Faith partners from Athmar Park Church and Confluence Ministries will canvass the nearby area to invite community members to the park for dinner and prayer.
Additionally, GRID will activate a Safe Haven at Athmar Park Church to support community members who may have been directly or indirectly impacted by the incident. Refreshments and child care will be provided. When: Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21, 3PM to 8PM. Where: Athmar Park Church, 2707 W. Mississippi Ave Please spread the information with your neighbors: Flyer for the BBQ Flyer for the BBQ in Spanish Flyer for the Safe Haven Flyer for the Safe Haven in Spanish Several years ago, four passionate and dedicated individuals got together and shared their vision for a state-of-the-art law enforcement museum in Denver. Their vision is becoming a reality as the Denver Police Museum board has entered into a contract to purchase a future home for the facility at 4700 Brighton Boulevard, across from the entrance to the future home of the National Western Center Stock Show.
The Denver Police Museum board has launched an aggressive fundraising strategy to secure the $350,000 needed to close the contract for purchase in late August. We are hosting events, doing a direct mail campaign to key community leaders, approaching foundations, and are seeking support from with several philanthropists. The key to the success of the campaign will come in the form of donations of $100 or more. No donation is too small. Please help us make this campaign a success by visiting the donation page on the Denver Police Museum website – Donate Now: Secure our Future Home. Finally, if you or someone you know is able to donate $1,000 or more, we will list your name on the “Founders Wall” at the entrance to the museum. For more information, please call Mike Hesse, executive director, at 303-495-9718. This 4th of July weekend will bring plenty of opportunities to celebrate. Whether you host a cookout, plan a trip to the beach or watch the fireworks from your favorite spot, it’s important to be mindful of the scene. Before the big weekend arrives, we wanted to offer a few tips to help you enjoy the festivities safely and responsibly:
Also remember that ALL FIREWORKS are ILLEGAL in the City and County of Denver. From sparklers to bottle rockets, leave it to the professionals!  TOPS is a Partnership with Denver Police to Increase Reports of Crimes in Progress and Provide Eyewitness Accounts Today, with the goal of enhancing the safety of people who live, work and play in Denver, Metro Taxi, Freedom Cab, Union Taxi Cooperative and Yellow Cab re-launched the Taxis on Patrol (TOPS) program. TOPS, started in Denver by Metro Taxi in 2011, encourages taxi drivers to be on the lookout for suspicious or illegal activity while providing transportation services throughout Denver and the Metro area, and to quickly report those issues to police. The TOPS program experienced near-immediate success when just 24 hours after implementation a Metro Taxi driver witnessed a hit-and-run collision that killed a valet attendant outside of a Denver nightclub. The taxi driver followed the suspect vehicle, noted its license plate number and called police, which resulted in the suspect driver’s arrest. The death of valet attendant Jose Medina, and the taxi driver’s commendable actions, later resulted in Colorado creating the Medina Alert system to help catch hit-and-run drivers. “Police simply can’t be everywhere at all times, so the goal of TOPS is for the hundreds of drivers who are on duty 24/7 to be extra eyes and ears on the streets,” said Robert McBride, Executive Vice President/Managing Director of Metro Taxi. “Our drivers are an integral part of this community and see TOPS as a way to give back and make our city an even safer place.” The Denver Police Department is creating a training video for participating drivers to help them to be good witnesses, and to do so safely – encouraging drivers not to physically intervene and/or put themselves in a dangerous situation. “The Denver Police Department and I greatly appreciate these taxi companies and drivers for stepping up to make a difference in public safety,” said Chief of Police Robert C. White. “A timely, detailed report of suspicious activity or a crime in progress can sometimes be the difference in officers arresting a suspect, rather than them getting away, and may even result in officers being able to intervene before a crime is committed.”  During the evening hours of 06/12/17, DPD had three reports of vehicles being broken into along the Broadway corridor. All three of the vehicles had valuables (Purses / Wallets / Backpacks) sitting out on the seat, or in plain view. Please remember to REMOVE or SECURE your valuables before going out. Below are some easy prevention tips to help prevent these thefts.
------------------------------------------------------------ * Always lock your car. Thieves simply go from car to car checking for unlocked doors as easy targets. * Remove valuables from your vehicle: wallet/purse, backpacks, cell phones, GPS devices, IPods, other electronics, cash/change from your ash trays. If you cannot remove the items, lock them in your trunk. While at home, also remove your garage door opener. * Never hide extra keys inside your vehicle. Spare keys and valet keys inside your car make it easy for thieves to drive away. * Roll-up your windows. Even the smallest openings are an invitation for theft. * Park in areas that are well lit and highly visible. This includes when you are parked in your driveway or in front of your home. * Do not “warm-up” your car, unless you are in it. * Consider installing an alarm. The Denver Police Department highly values its partnership with the community and recognizes that having public engagement creates a successful law enforcement agency. Continuing with Department’s mission to collaborate with the community to make Denver a better and safer place for all its members, DPD invites interested community members to apply to join the Chief’s Community Advisory Board. Selected members of the Chief’s Community Advisory Board will advise the Chief of Police on issues, matters and public policies, which influence or impact the ongoing relationship between the Denver Police Department, and the community we serve.
The Chief’s Community Advisory Board is empowered by the Chief of Police and the Executive Director of Public Safety for the City and County of Denver. This board is initiated by the Chief and Executive Director in recognition of the overwhelming need for the community and police to work together, in a collaborative and cooperative way, to best serve all the people of the City and County of Denver. To carry out its duty and responsibility, the Chief’s Community Advisory Board will at a minimum;
With Memorial Day and weekend approaching, the Denver Police Department reminds those who consume marijuana and/or alcohol to not get behind the wheel. During the holiday weekend, the Denver Police Department will operate DUI checkpoints and impaired driving saturation patrols at various locations throughout the city. Although the locations, dates, and times are undisclosed, drivers should be aware of the extra patrols and plan ahead for safe travels this weekend and always. “As Denverites honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day Weekend, we ask them to do so responsibly,” said Robert C. White, Denver Police Chief. “With the many transportation options in and around town, there is no excuse to drive while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Please plan ahead and make it a safe weekend for everyone!” During Memorial Day Weekend in 2016, 46 drivers were arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Denver. Be smart, safe and consume responsibly.  From April 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017, Safety Youth Programs diversion officers and Denver Police officers team-up to run the Denver SafeNite Program. The program offers court diversion opportunities for youth 17 years of age and younger while police actively enforce Denver’s Curfew Ordinance.
“Programs that promote safety and reduce the number of youth that enter the legal system are vital to the strength of our communities,” said Executive Director of Safety Stephanie Y. O’Malley. “Diversion options increase collaboration between parents and government and can lead to lesser consequences that still provide corrective behavior, when needed.” Denver’s Curfew Ordinance prohibits youth from being in a public place or on public property from 11:00 PM – 5:00 AM, Sunday through Thursday, and 12:00 AM – 5:00 AM Friday and Saturday unless:
Although the curfew is enforced year-round, youth that break curfew during the active enforcement period of April through September are transported to the Denver Juvenile Services Center at 303 W. Colfax Ave. 1st Floor, Denver, CO 80204. Their parents are contacted and a citation is issued. “While it is our duty to enforce the City’s curfew ordinance, we also care about the safety of the City’s youth,” said Chief of Police Robert White. “We want to send a clear message about Denver’s reasonable curfew expectations and help kids avoid a citation for being on the streets when they really shouldn’t be.” Youth cited for a first-time municipal ordinance violation are given the option of participating in a diversion program as an alternative to entering the court system. If the option is accepted by the youth and his/her parent(s), a customized diversion plan is developed based on an individual assessment. Once the plan is successfully completed, the case is dismissed without a court appearance. The Denver SafeNite Program was implemented in 1994 and is a joint effort between the Denver Police Department and Denver Public Safety Youth Programs. Applications are now being accepted for attendance at the first Denver Marijuana Citizens Academy. Hosted by Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC), Denver’s Office of Marijuana Policy and the Department of Excise and Licenses, the free, two-part Academy will provide 50 participants with information relating to the various marijuana rules and regulations as well as Colorado amendments and Denver ordinances.
The Academy will be held on two evenings from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 8, and Monday, May 22. Both sessions will be held at the Blair-Caldwell Library, 2401 Welton St., Denver. Free parking will be available as well as Spanish interpretation. You may apply for the program BY CLICKING HERE. The academy is looking for a diverse pool applicants from across the city. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 28. Applicants will be notified by May 2 if they have been selected to participate.
Do you have any of these vehicles?
You may qualify for a FREE auto theft prevention device through the Honda 100 Project paid in full by the Denver Police Department. The purpose of this Honda 100 Project is to determine whether electronic vehicle immobilizers that prevent vehicle engine from starting without the appropriate key can deter auto thieves from targeting vehicles in a specific area (District Four). We are trying to find 100 vehicles in the District Four area to have these immobilization devices installed in. The device itself is worth over $600.00 but they are being given out and installed free of charge! The devices work by immobilizing 3 different circuits in the vehicle (fuel pump, starter, and ignition for example) unless a special key fob is present to turn the system off. The device is NOT GPS equipped and cannot track your vehicle. It equips older vehicles with the antitheft technology currently being used on newer vehicles. For more information please call Officer Aranda at 720-913-0277 or Officer Beiriger at 720-913-0276 |
NEWS FOR LD7Get all of the news from around LD7 here. Archives
April 2019
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed