Neighborhood Safety (updated 11/29/11)

Local Crimes Reports

The City provides local statistics on crime.

• 2011 Neighborhood Crime Report, as of 7/1/11. Source: Denver Crime Offenses Website.
• January 2011 Neighborhood Crime Map

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips (from Denver Police Department) 11/29/11

As we are approaching the holidayshopping season we would like everyone to take some special precautions to assure their personal safety and have an enjoyable Holiday Season.  We have listed some tips to help keep you safe while shopping.

Dress Down:
Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

Shop Together:
Shop with friends and family. Try not to shop alone, especially at night.

Educate Your Kids:
Teach kids what to do if you get separated. Tell them to find a store clerk or security person.

Communicate:
Tell someone where you are going and how long you will be gone. Let them know if you change your schedule.

Park Smart:
Park close to the store. Avoid dark and secluded areas.

Lock the Car:
Keep doors locked and windows closed. Remember your keys.

Stay Alert:
Remember where you park your car. Be aware of suspicious cars and people.

Watch Your Purse:
Hold your purse close to your body or use a front pocket if carrying a wallet. Preferably wear a fanny pack.

Avoid Cash:
Never flash large amounts of money. Try to use checks or credit cards instead of cash.

Use Credit Cards Safely:
Beware of identity theft and keep receipts safe. Record credit card numbers at home and guard PIN numbers.

Shop in Small Doses:
Make regular trips to the car. Avoid carrying too many packages that put you off balance and make you a target.

Returning to the Parking Lot:
Have your car keys out when returning to your car. Check the back seat and under the car before getting in.

Hide Packages:
Store packages in the trunk of the car. Put your packages in the trunk before you drive to your next location not when you arrive. Never leave them visible inside the car.

Act:
Never go home if you think you are being followed or if you feel threatened. Go to a busy well-lit safe place.

Don’t Play Hero:
Comply with a thief’s demands. Record an accurate description for law enforcement: height, weight, eye color, hair color, scars, tattoos, clothing,and license plate.



Tips on Keeping Our Neighborhood Safe

The best defense against crime is a neighborhood working together. The following are some tips to help you, your neighbors and your neighborhood be safe:

• If you ever see a crime in progress call, always call 911 immediately.
• If you see suspicious behavior such as "strange" sales person or people going door to door, the same car meeting other vehicles for "exchanges, a person who may be a public nuisance, alley behaviour that is not typical, etc. call the Non Emergency number at 720-913-2000.
• Other neighborhood concerns can be directed to Officer Cari Jimenez, Community Resource Officer at 720-913-1175
• Never leave items such as bags, purses, pack backs in your car.
• Know your neighbors and keep an eye on one another
• Have indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer and increase outdoor lighting
  • Lock all windows, doors (dog doors too) at night and when you are away from home, even for a few minutes
  • Set your alarm if you have one
  • Keep a look out for your neighbors
  • When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail
  • Leave a radio or television on, and a light or two, so the house looks and sounds occupied
  • During the holiday season, holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
  • Target hardening – more secure doors, locks, window latches.
  • Make it look like someone is home. Improve visibility – remove obstructions to visibility.
  •  Trim trees and bushes.

  Neighborhood Watch

  Neighborhood Watch is a process that the Denver Police Department can help you with but in the absence of a formal program, meet your neighbors, let them know when you are away and watch out for each other!  If you are interested is setting up a Neighborhood Watch program for your block, please call our Denver Police Department Community Resource Officer Cari Jimenez at 720-913-1175. 

  Graffiti Eradication

  One of the best ways to stop graffiti is through eradication. The UPCC can provide you with paint and/or clean-up supplies to help do that.  If you notice graffiti in your alley, on a dumpster, on a post or street sign, email event@upcc.us and we will work with you to get you the right supplies.

  Denver Crime Maps

  Denver Police have maps plotting crimes throughout Denver. Find out more.

  Visit Our Contact Page for Local Safety & Security Numbers

   

  Next Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) Meeting

  CAB meets the first Thursday of the month. Call the District 3 Police Station number at 720-913-1300 if you have questions or contact Tony Burkhardt, Anthony.Burkhardt@denvergov.org if you are interested in attending.

  Notes from UPCC Safety Chair for July 7th CAB Meeting:

  For the period from January to May 2011, the number of incidences of "Theft from Motor Vehicle", and "Moter Vehicle Theft" were up from the same period in 2010. Police advise to keep anything valuable out of cars parked on the curb, including garage door openers. The good news is fraud, criminal mischief, and burglary are all down in the University Park neighborhood from 2010 to 2011

  There have recently been several reports of purses stolen out of shopping carts either while shopping or while loading groceries into the car. "Best to keep your hand on your purse while shopping, and to put your purse into your car before unloading groceries." Good news is that in this past month they have arrested one women for purse snatching in the District 3 area, so hopefully we will see the number of purse snatching incidences go down.

  There was a major focus on graffiti issues in last night's meeting. If you find graffiti on your property, or would like to report any incidence of graffiti, the police recommend that you do the following;

  1) Report the graffiti to the police. Non-emergency line is 720-913-2000. Reporting the incident to the Denver Police Department helps them track graffiti incidents, which makes it easier to prevent graffiti in the future. You can be most helpful by taking a picture of the graffiti and sending it along with the address of the offense to info@magtfdenver.org.

  2) For help from the city in removing graffiti call 311. The city has a paint bank, and can also provide assistance with the removal. More information on the city's graffiti problem can be found at the Metro Area Graffiti Task Force link www.magtfdenver.org.

  Marilyn Bredar, UPCC Safety Chair

  Local Crime Update (updated 11.9.10)

  On October 26, 2010 Denver Police in District 3 arrested five burglary suspects involved in three separate cases. Officers responded to a burglary in progress on the 1000 block of North Fillmore Street. The suspect was quickly located and arrested. He is suspected in several other burglaries. There is a possibility of that these suspects may have been involved in the robberies in our neighborhood.

  Neighborhood Crime Update: Thefts in Garages off Alley in UPark Area (5.24.10)

  There have been reports of break-ins to garages off the alley in our neighborhood. The most recent one was during the night on the 1900 Block of Fillmore on the weekend of May 22nd. Please keep an eye out and call District 3 at 720-913-2000 if you see anything suspicious.