Denver Police District 5 Commander Marion Penn (left) and Lt. Kevin Hines speak at the opening of the new DPD satellite office in Quebec Square.

At town hall meetings and neighborhood gatherings, residents and business owners in northeast Denver have voiced concerns about crime and safety in the area of Quebec Square. Now, the Denver Police Department has opened a District 5 satellite station to help address those concerns.

The station, located at 7306 E. 36th Ave., opened in November with a celebration and meet-and-greet with officers who will serve the community. It is designed to help strengthen the department’s relationship with the surrounding neighborhoods.

“It gives us an opportunity to have a place here and a more visible presence,” Sgt. Daniel J. White said of the new station.

There won’t be officers at the office 24/7, so this is not meant to be a place to go for emergency help, police noted. It is a place for office work, easier access to the surrounding area, and community events.

It’s also a work in progress, and White said officers will be looking to the community to learn what’s important to include .

“We’re coming into the community, versus having the community come to us,” White added.

District 5 Commander Marion Penn helped create the new office. Penn is retiring in December after 34 years with the department. He started his career as a community officer, so he said he knows how important the connection between DPD and the surrounding area is for everyone.

“The main driver is that connection point. I think it’s vital in our profession to reach out to business owners and citizens, and this area is particularly important, too,” Penn said.

He talked about lowering barriers for the public by providing the storefront location, a place where people can meet officers, see a police car, and learn more about DPD.

“We see so many things that we can do well with this space, in terms of building partnerships with the businesses out here, but also the community, the folks who shop here, the folks who live around here,” Lt. Kevin Hines said. “We want to make sure that we have a better connection with the community. As a police department, we are so much more effective in our job when we have robust partnerships with the community.”

Hines has taken part in many community meetings and hears from residents about their concerns for the northeast Denver area. He said this office can help address some concerns.

The space was donated for use by DPD by the owners of Quebec Square.

Front Porch photos by Linda Kotsaftis

A celebration of the opening of the new DPD satellite office included officers and community members who help made it possible.