Talk of the Neighborhood
Editor’s Note: The following is a synopsis of items that were discussed during the June 4 Greater Park Hill Community monthly meeting. There is no monthly meeting in July. The next GPHN meeting is on Thursday, August 6 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Greater Park Hill Community Room at 2823 Fairfax St. It is free and everyone is welcome.
District 2 Police Report
Officer Reyes Trujillo said although many incidents were reported in May, there was a slight reduction of crime north of 28th Ave. Three auto thefts were reported. Three sex offenses were also reported, two of them indecent exposure and an assault on a juvenile by a person of trust. An arrest was made in that case. Three aggravated assaults were reported. There were two robberies, including a carjacking perpetrated by a group of people while the victim was getting things out of her car on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. There were also four thefts from motor vehicles and five graffiti reports. In Park Hill south of 28th Avenue 12 burglaries were reported. Police have identified a group of eight to 10 people who are suspected to be operating elsewhere in Denver. In addition in South Park Hill, there were 11 reports of theft from motor vehicles. Two business robberies occurred, including one snatch and grab and a convenience store robbery. There were simulated guns in both cases. There was also a street robbery. The perpetrator was known by the victim and they made an arrest. Trujillo also noted 12 criminal mischiefs were reported, in which car windows have been blasted out with a BB gun. There were two aggravated assaults with firearms. Trujillo said most of the cases are crimes of opportunity and urges neighborhood residents to be aware, not to leave valuables in cars in plain sight. Denver police have also been engaging in intense gang suppression operations as a result of a sharp increase in gang activity this year, which has resulted in 12 homicides.
Various GPHC, Inc. Neighborhood Updates
Following a presentation on gangs by Rev. Leon Kelly and Brother Jeff Farb (see story, page 15), GPHC, Inc. Executive Director Rebecca Born provided updates on numerous issues. Among them: the food pantry, renovation efforts at the commercial block of 28th and Fairfax, an upcoming block party on the same block, the 7-11 store that is being built on the corner of Colfax and Monaco, and keeping kids safe while they are traveling from school to after-school programs.
Food Pantry
Last month the food pantry served 92 people, with a third of those utilizing the pantry being under 18. This is because it is the summer and kids aren’t able to get food at school. With help from the Boys and Girls Club, the GPHC is looking into starting a backpack program, which will give a backpack full of food to children in the Park Hill community. Donations being sought are soft items, like bags of rice or a box of beans, really anything that doesn’t come in a can.
7-11 Store at Colfax and Monaco
Some residents have expressed concerns over the new 7-11 being built on Colfax between Monaco and Magnolia (where a Christmas tree lot used to be), including the impacts of increased traffic and questions about security. The store has applied for a 3.2 liquor license, consistent with the sales of 3.2 beer at most stores.
The neighboring Historic Montclair Community had been circulating petitions to ask beer not be sold, and 7-11 has withdrawn their liquor license application. It’s currently unclear whether the store will reapply for the liquor license. The people in the Greater Park Hill and surrounding areas will be notified if and when the license is applied for again. The Historic Montclair Association has asked GPHC, Inc. to formally oppose the liquor license.
Block Renovation Plans
Dean Brown, who owns several buildings on the block of 28th and Fairfax, has been working with the city’s Office of Economic Development to get some new designs drawn up of the block renovation, which includes the liquor store on the south corner of 28th and Fairfax. Brown’s plans include replacing all the windows of the properties he owns and adding trees and benches to improve the outside areas of the block.
Block Party
The GPHC is looking into hosting a block party in late July or early August. Mayor Michael Hancock will be doing a tour of the neighborhoods before Denver Days that run Aug. 1-9 — an initiative to help people get to know neighbors and help out their communities.
Safe Child Transportation
There is currently no real safe transportation for Smiley students to travel to the Boys and Girls Club at 33rd and Holly after school. There are several options being discussed, including carpools or possibly acquiring an unused church van to make a few round trips once school gets out beginning next school year. The issue came up during a recent District 2 safety meeting, as many kids do not feel safe walking from school to the club.