SUN 2017 Spring Survey
In partnership with Denver Police Department, the MCA, and Northeast Transportation Connections, SUN developed a survey to: 1) Identify ways to improve community safety, 2) Measure community preferences for policies employed by Denver Public Schools, 3) Determine how residents could be encouraged to engage with public transportation, 4) Measure health behaviors and assess where community support could improve health, 5) Determine what additional services and amenities are desired in this large urban in fill project, 6) Assess barriers to community involvement, 7) Measure opinions on the community name, and 8) Measure overall satisfaction with community life. Results will be shared over a series of Front Porch articles, of which this is the first installment. Using multiple modes of contact via the Front Porch newspaper, the Stapleton MCA’s email distribution list, and SUN’s mailing lists, SUN distributed the survey electronically. The survey was fielded on April 19, 2017 and remained open for just over a month until May 25, 2017. Responding to the survey was optional and no identifying information was collected.

Demographics

1,005 residents responses are included in the results shown here (responses missing entire sections were excluded). At this time there are around 7,000 households in the community. Respondents were of median age 41 and median move-in year 2012 (i.e. 5-year resident). 65% of respondents live south of I-70, and 35% north of I-70. 66% of respondents were female, 34% male, and .2% indicated non-binary or transgender identity.

Ages of children in the household point to a bubble of children age 5, presently transitioning from K to 1 (right).

Race and Ethnicity responses were 88.6% white, 5.0% Hispanic or Latinamericano, 3.6% Asian, 2.4% Black, 1% Native American. 3.8% of respondents identified as more than one race/ethnicity and 20.3% described their household as multhethnic or multiracial.

Private Security

SUN has communicated back to the MCA for their consideration in evaluating programming changes in relation to dues increases: The majority of residents (52%) prefer no increase in the monthly assessment for additional programming such as an Eco Pass, support of schools, or private security. More than one response was allowed so percentages below sum to more than 100%.

Crime Prevention
Participants responded about crime prevention behaviors they utilize: Lock outside doors and windows before leaving house (92%), keep garage door closed and locked at all times (89%), lock doors and windows before bed (88%), and parking car in garage (86%), “refrain from leaving valuables in car” as frequently advised by Denver Police (73%). Least frequently, respondents selected self-defense training (4.2%), personal firearms (13.5%), neighborhood watch participation (20.8%), automated interior lights (30%) and home use cameras (31%). SUN will continue to work with Denver Police Department (DPD) to encourage residents to contact the DPD Community Resource Officer about Neighborhood Watch initiation meetings: Officer Marika Putnam, marika.putnam@denvergov.org 720-913-1405.

Theft
Theft during residence in Stapleton was reported by 17.5% of respondents, with package theft in December 2016 having occurred among 5%, and package theft in the previous 30 days reported by 1.4%. Any other theft (during entire period of residence in Stapleton) was reported by 25% of respondents, with 8.6% reporting theft from porch, 7.4% theft from unlocked vehicle on the street, 6.4% from unlocked or open garage, 5.1% from a locked vehicle on the street, and 4.2% from within a yard. Least commonly, residents reported items stolen from a locked garage (1.5%) or from home involving forced entry (1.1), or home from unlocked door or window (0.8). To reduce our overall burden from crime, residents are encouraged to secure valuables, lock doors and windows, and participate in Neighborhood Watch.

Community Name

Community results indicate that the majority (54%) of residents would prefer not to participate in further discussion about the community name Stapleton, 51.7% are completely or somewhat comfortable with the name.

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June 20, 2018 SUN Meeting Discussion
During public comment, community residents who live near the parcel of land referred to as Filing 51 (the southeast corner of Central Park Blvd. and Martin Luther King Blvd.) spoke in opposition to proposed rezoning from the current C-MU-20 to M-RX-5A. Residents cited concerns about the height and density of a 5-story building at that location and the related issues of parking and traffic. Some residents were against inclusion of any retail. Forest City has added a covenant to the proposed plan to restrict height along Willow St. and 29th Pl. to three stories. Forest City spoke about aiming to have higher-density development and retail at that main intersection. At the end of the meeting, the SUN board discussed the risk of inappropriate uses without a rezoning (e.g. a gas station). Forest City requested SUN write a letter in support of the rezoning, and residents requested a letter in opposition of rezoning. SUN will not be taking a position on the rezoning.