By Marilyn Bromberg
District Three of the Denver Police Department hosted its third annual Crime Summit with the theme of “Strengthening Community Partnerships” on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1625 S. University Blvd. in Denver. Led by Commander Kris Kroncke, the event focused on a pro-active approach to fighting crime. The following is a summary of topics covered and contact information for the respective areas:
Forensic DNA
Statistics show that DNA evidence achieves: a six-fold increase in prosecution rate; a 20-fold increase in sentence time for the prolific, habitual criminals; saves the City of Denver an estimated $14 million in property loss; and provides a $34 return for every $1 spent on the approach.
Contact: Crime Laboratory Bureau — susan.berdine@denvergov.org.
Identity Theft/Financial Crimes
Investigates fraud crimes including: forgery; fraud by check; criminal impersonation; unauthorized use of credit card; possession of forged instruments/financial/forgery devices; and identity theft.
Contact: Fraud Unit – 720-913-6752.
Graffiti
Laws include possession of graffiti material for adults, minors, sale and display of prohibited materials, and graffiti abatement. Businesses have 48 hours to remove graffiti; homeowners 72 hours. Graffiti 2-year Denver comparison:
•2007 — 1,149 reports/48 arrests
•2008 — 978 reports/155 arrests
Contact: Graffiti Hot Line 720-865-7867 or Police 720-913-2000
Public Nuisance Abatement
Goals include: taking away the location from which illegal activity is occurring; denying criminals the use of real property as their base of illegal operations; securing the vehicles used in the crime; and obtaining property owners’ cooperation and compliance to help solve the crime.
Contact: Lt. Donna Starr-Gimeno
720-913-0543
starr-gimenod@ci.denver.co.us
or Public Nuisance Abatement Unit 720-913-0548.
By Nancy Gilder
Do you need an incentive to clean up the graffiti in your neighborhood?
Understanding that graffiti vandalism is a quality of life issue, Mayor Hickenlooper and the City Council have made graffiti prevention a top priority in Denver by increasing graffiti cleanup, education and enforcement efforts. But we can’t prevent graffiti alone! That’s why we’ve created The Brush Off campaign – a partnership between the City and concerned citizens.
Recent research suggests that the presence of graffiti “creates an environment that breeds bigger crimes,” but promptly removing graffiti (ideally 24 – 48 hours after it appears) decreases repeat graffiti vandalism. The Brush Off campaign provides an easy way for everyone to help prevent graffiti in our neighborhoods. Brush Off partners agree to keep a spot (such as a sign, pole, or dumpster) near their home clean, using free graffiti-removal supplies provided by the City.
Denver Partners Against Graffiti (DPAG) offers some tips to prevent graffiti – and possibly other crimes in your community.
Graffiti spreads so keep it off of your block! Give your kids and family a clean and safe place to live and play. To become a Brush Off partner, request free paint, or report graffiti call 720-865-7867 or 3-1-1 or go online to www.denvergov.org/graffiti.
