Denver Police Department (DPD) Neighborhood Safety Initiatives

Neighborhood Watch Program: Neighborhood Watch empowers residents to join together in monitoring their neighborhood and reporting to police any suspicious or illegal activities to help prevent crime and increase safety. Additionally, the Pups on Patrol program encourages dog owners to assist law enforcement as extra eyes and ears while out walking their dogs. After a brief one-hour training, pups can become an honorary DPD K-9.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED): CPTED helps to deter criminal behavior by changing the layout, look, and feel of places. Updating landscaping, including trimming or removing bushes, hedges or tree limbs, which may provide cover/concealment for suspicious persons, and adding outdoor lighting can deter criminal activity. DPD has officers who are certified to provide CPTED evaluations for residents and businesses.

Vacation Watch: Residents can call the District 5 station to place their home on vacation watch for officers to keep an eye on the home during the planned absence. To request vacation watch, call DPD District 5 station at 720-913-1400, and report dates of departure and return, if any lights will be on, and who will have access.

Commander Meetings: Join DPD District 5 for Commander for lunch on 10/24, 12 – 2pm at Trina’s Place (4611 Peoria St.) The next Commander’s meeting will be in November (time and location TBD). DPD uses data to address crime in the city. For updated neighborhood statistics, visit www.denvergov.org/police.

To learn more about these programs and other safety initiatives, contact District 5 Community Resource Officer Kiarra Jenkins at kiarra.jenkins@denvergov.org.

VISION, Oct. 12, 9–10:30am Denver, Green School

Join SUN for an inaugural event supporting children (ages 8-18) and caregivers. A new school year brings new opportunities to ignite children’s imaginations, spark a spirit of curiosity, and learn tools to support success. Register: www.drjea.com

October 15 SUN meeting, 6:30-8:30pm, Central Park Recreation Center

During the first hour of the evening, attendees will hear updates from Denver Public Schools, local middle and high schools’ leadership, and priorities from DPS At-Large Board Candidates during the annual fall education forum.

During the second hour of the meeting, the SUN board will vote on candidate board member Rick Leuthold. Rick states: “In 2011, my wife Cindy and I moved to Denver to be closer to our two daughters and two grandchildren. We built a home in Central Park West and family soon moved into homes within a few blocks of ours. I opened a Denver branch office and serve as Chairman and Director of Business Development of Sanderson Stewart, a seventy-employee, multi-state Community Design Firm. I began working for the company 35-years ago, graduating from Montana State University with a BS in Civil Engineering. My current day-to-day projects involve land use planning and design of public, residential, institutional, and commercial developments, including all aspects of federal, state and local permitting and approval. I have developed an extensive knowledge and expertise related to water, sanitary sewer, storm drain, road and street design and construction administration. Our entire family loves the Stapleton community and through the SUN Board, I will offer my services in keeping this uniquely vibrant place what it is today.”

November 19 SUN meeting, 6:30-8:30pm, Central Park Recreation Center

Dana Hoffman, a Transportation Project Manager with Denver Public Works will address current challenges and potential solutions for traffic issues in Stapleton. With a brief presentation followed by Q/A, Ms Hoffman will be addressing concerns around Central Park Blvd. and 56th adjacent to Shops at Beeler Park and increased traffic on Emporia St. south of Martin Luther King Blvd. and other areas of the neighborhood.

Contributions for this article were provided by Denver Police Department, SUN board candidate Rick Leuthold, and SUN board members Drs Jea and Jeff Ederer; edited by SUN president Amanda Allshouse.