May 6th COVID-19 Safety & Security Briefing Takeaways

May 6, 2020

Commander Aaron Sanchez, Denver Police Department (DPD) District 6, joined the Downtown Denver Partnership on May 6, 2020 to speak with our members about updated procedures and protocols the Denver Police Department (DPD) has implemented in relation to the spread of COVID-19. See the presentation from the briefing here.

Please plan on continuing to attend 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Security Updates for at least the next few weeks as Denver transitions out of the Stay at Home order to Safer at Home – and Downtown offices begin to come back into operation.  Your input, thoughts, perspectives, and great questions for the Commander are most welcome.

Some key points from the May 6th webinar include:

  • Downtown crime stats are broken into 2 precincts, the Central Business District (CBD), Broadway to Lawrence (east) to Speer (a triangle shape) and Union Station Neighborhood, Lawrence (west) to Speer, to the Platte River, to Broadway.  Class 1 calls are calls that are DPD responses to 911 and non-emergency, reactive; Class 2 are proactive stops made by patrolling officers in the field.
  • CBD crimes against property Class 1 calls are down about 24% and Class 2 calls are up about 21% — this speaks to the lower numbers of people in the public realm and the increased number of officers patrolling the District.
  • CBD violent crime Class 1 calls and Class 2 calls track exactly the same, down 24% Class 1; and up about 21% for Class 2.
  • Union Station Neighborhood crimes against property Class 1 calls are down 3.2% and Class 2 calls show up at a 0.2% increase. Union Station Neighborhood violent crime Class 1 and Class 2 calls, again, track the same.
  • Commander Sanchez also mentioned that there has been an escalation in simple assaults to clientele leaving dispensaries – DPD is reaching out to help the dispensaries address this to keep customers safe.  Please be aware when near these properties and report anything that causes concern.
  • If properties or businesses want a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) consultation and/or to sign up to be a part of the Police Department’s Business Watch program – please reach out to DPD District 6 Community Resource Officers – Teresa Gillian Teresa.Gillian@denvergov.org and/or Austen Munson Austen.Munson@denvergov.org. 720-913-2906.   We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these programs which are provided at no cost to you.
  • The Downtown Denver Business Improvement District continues its clean and safe programming to ensure that when people do begin to return downtown, they can do so with a sense of confidence that every effort is being made to keep downtown clean, safe and feeling vibrant and welcoming.

Join us for next week’s safety briefing with Commander Sanchez on May 13th at 9:00 AM. Click here to register.

*Reminder: how to protect your property during this time

  • Ensure the business is well-lit and eliminate places for criminals to hide near the building.
  • Lock all doors and windows when closed or away from the business. Install double cylinder deadbolts where possible, securing all points of entry, such as gates, fences, roof access, etc.
  • Remove cash from registers and leave the register open at the close of business and secure valuables or merchandise out of sight when closed.
  • Post signs outside your business letting criminals know there isn’t money in the register or safe, and keep track of inventory by marking items or logging serial numbers.
  • Remove any valuables or inventory away from windows.
  • If you are able, increase private security patrols around your facility.
  • Start or join a Business Watch Program to build relationships with neighboring business owners.
  • Install an alarm or surveillance system.
  • Contact your local Denver Police District for a business safety assessment