Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen held a virtual town hall on June 3 to listen to community concerns and respond to questions. The Front Porch transcribed questions from that session and edited for length and clarity.
Q&A with Chief Pazen
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Public Safety
Controlling the coronavirus: Where we stand. Where we’re going.
How is Denver doing at flattening the curve? What symptoms are Denverites reporting and how does that help track illness in the community—even before tests are done? Are we having Covid outbreaks in our grocery stores? What should we do when someone isn’t wearing a mask in the grocery store? What is the projection for how well the virus will be contained in coming months?
And, in a broader view, why do bats spread pathogens; and how are llamas contributing to possible treatments?
Impacting Communities —Where It’s Needed Most
Sam Gary made a tremendous fortune in the oil and gas industry—and made a commitment to use his fortune to give back to the community. “Sam’s vision was to find the ways to make a big impact on the community—and he never really cared if he got the credit,” says Mike Johnston, a former state senator and Stapleton resident who was just recently named CEO of Gary’s charitable organizations, the Piton Foundation and Gary Community Investments (GCI).
Governor and Mayor Heighten COVID-19 Restrictions. All Denver non-essential to stay at home.
Mayor Hancock announces citywide stay at home order and closure of non-essential businesses from March 24 to April 10. That follows Gov. Polis’ statewide order for all businesses to cut back their on-site staff to at least 50%. Social distancing orders remain in effect.
Water, Unleaded Please
East Colfax homeowner Jasmine DeCelles recalls when her husband was washing something in the sink back in 2017 and noticed “a yucky film over the top of water sitting in a clean bowl.” Not even thinking about lead at the time, she requested a free testing kit from Denver Water, hoping to learn what was causing the water’s iridescent appearance.
Red Flag Law: Implementation Varies by County
On January 8, a Windsor man petitioned the Denver Probate Court to have his son XYZ’s weapons...
Young Adult Diversion “Growing to See My Own Light”
District Attorney Beth McCann implemented a young adult diversion program in May 2018 to put eligible young adult offenders on track for a future without incarceration.
Rounding Up the Truth on Roundup
“When you take the kids to the park and you’re seeing these yellow flags and pesticides are being sprayed and you’re walking with your stroller…it’s really frustrating,” says Reynolds, who says the issue has been on her mind “for many years.”
De-escalation – Not Handcuffs
This past June, the DPS school board passed a resolution eliminating the use of handcuffs in elementary schools; the only exception is “if the student is openly displaying a deadly weapon,” according to the resolution. This piece addresses alternatives to handcuff use, including de-escalation training DPS staff undergo.
Another Pedestrian Fatality at CPB Station
Passengers returning from the July 3 Rockies game on RTD’s A-line train witnessed the second accidental train-pedestrian fatality at Central Park Station.
Denver Firefighter Camp: Empowering Kids
Each summer, about 75 youth put out fires, cut up a car wreck, use an ax, climb ladders, and learn valuable CPR and first aid skills in a free three-day camp put on by the Denver Fire Department.
Station 39 Is Open
Station 39, a nearly 13,000-square foot, $9.4 million facility opened on May 31, 2019. It is home to one engine company with 12 fire fighters on staff.