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By Shepard Nevel, Denver

It is not in the Denver Police Department’s nature, perhaps not in the temperament of any law enforcement agency, to hoist a banner claiming success. Others are more suited for that role.
But the men and women who police Denver can justifiably lay claim over the past two years to considerable progress in the reduction of crime.

It is an accomplishment that should be acknowledged — even as serious public safety challenges remain.

During the five-year period from 2001 to 2005, Denver experienced an alarming upswing in crime. The storyline has since changed for the better. From 2005 to 2006 burglaries were reduced by 11.2 percent, and through the first seven months of 2007, violent crimes and burglaries each declined by more than 14 percent compared to the same period of time last year.

What are the implications of this turnaround? First, the reversal of the city’s crime rate is a tribute to the dedication and expertise of the vast majority of Denver police officers.

Second, the reduction in crime reinforces the wisdom of recent reforms and initiatives by the mayor and police department, in partnership with the District Attorney’s office. These include broken-windows policing that helps prevent serious crimes by addressing minor offenses quickly, the incorporation of the data- and accountability-driven strategies known as Compstat policing, the internationally recognized crime lab that has contributed to a string of successful arrests of serial burglars and violent offenders, and the enhanced multijurisdictional efforts against the growing scourges of drunk driving and gang violence.

Third, the improving crime statistics underscore how essential public safety is to Denver’s commitment to serve equally all of its residents regardless of income. I had the opportunity to listen to concerned adults at Mitchell Elementary, north of downtown, discuss the heart-rending impact of crime on their children and grandchildren. These and other stories from high-poverty neighborhoods make it clear that assertive law enforcement in underserved communities is as important a cornerstone of educational opportunity (and social justice) as is quality teaching, health care and family stability.

Fourth, these new data reflect how crime in Denver remains a serious problem. The surge in crime from 2001 to 2005 has only been partially offset by the public safety successes of the last two years. Among the nation’s larger cities (population 100,000 or greater), Denver’s rate of violent crime remains in the top 40 percent, its burglary rate is in the top third, sexual assault rate in the top fifth, and motor vehicle theft rate in the top eighth. In Denver, you have a considerably greater chance of being the victim of a violent crime than in New York City and your chance of being victimized by a property crime is the same as in Philadelphia.

Finally, the statistics shows the continued importance of bringing the number of Denver’s sworn police officers to a level appropriate for a central city of our size.

Denver’s residential and commercial vitality should be celebrated. But it also warrants restoring a larger ratio of sworn personnel per 100,000 residents than Denver currently has, particularly in light of our still-high crime rate. Since 1994, while Denver’s population has increased by 21 percent and its public safety challenges have grown by even larger measure, the city’s number of budgeted officers has increased by only 5 percent.

Boston’s population is similar to Denver’s and it was host city for the last Democratic National Convention, which is coming to Denver in 2008. Boston’s police force is a whopping 35 percent larger than Denver’s. And while many airports have their own dedicated law enforcement agencies, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver is among those cities with the additional responsibility of policing the airport. The effort to increase the number of sworn officers should accelerate with a sense of urgency.

Shepard Nevel, an attorney and resident of Denver, recently chaired the public safety subcommittee of the Mayor’s Infrastructure Priorities Task Force.

READER COMMENTS

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Since broken windows is listed as the first cause for the drop in crime, why not invest in it? The Code Enforcement team has gotten the most done. Why not automate the infraction data collection and citation process? ' 311' is a very good too if used and supported. Why not use radio frequency at water meters to locate problems and Code Enforcement to identify infraction all from the comfort and safety of city vehicles?
If of course the exodus of illegals has anything to do with the statistics, hide it and continue the way we are.

I think to really understand whether crime has decreased and at what rate you need to understand how they are reporting and classifying the crime. Is crime really down? I'm not sure I believe it. I know that many PDs across the country have just changed the way they classify things. It's the same thing they do with the poverty rate.. all they did was lower the number and whala! there are less people living in poverty. This doesn't have anything to do with whether you're a dem or a republican--- people B*** all the same about crime and spend more money in those towns where crime has "decreased". If you want to discuss the real issue grow up and stop making it a political issue.

I think to really understand whether crime has decreased and at what rate you need to understand how they are reporting and classifying the crime. Is crime really down? I'm not sure I believe it. I know that many PDs across the country have just changed the way they classify things. It's the same thing they do with the poverty rate.. all they did was lower the number and whala! there are less people living in poverty. This doesn't have anything to do with whether you're a dem or a republican--- people B*** all the same about crime and spend more money in those towns where crime has "decreased". If you want to discuss the real issue grow up and stop making it a political issue.

Pig squat.
The murder rate all across the United States is stedily climbing at an unprecedented rate.
And there certainly is no reduction of crime here in Denver, or the rest of the state for that matter.
This very lame police force of ours here in Denver can't even solve the murder of the bronco football player that was gunned down.
Every week I read about another murder or two happening here in Denver.
So please, save your accolades for a police force that really deserves it.

Of course crime is down. That's the spin job that the mayor's office wants you to think so the precious democrats will think Denver is clean, beautiful and progressive. All at the expense of the taxpayer. Mayor Hickenlooper a politician? Of course he is. He's the best because he has you liberal morons thinking he's not a politician. News for you...He's the best. He's out for himself and his good buddies and that's it. So crime is down, there is no illegal alien or homeless problem here in Denver and everyone's mortgage is paid.

Well, interesting letter. on one hand crime is down, on the other, you want more taxpayer bucks for more crimefighters......Why? If crime is down, the ones we have seem to be doing their job.

Perhaps it is due to you knowing where your bread and butter comes from?

Chairman of the Mayor's task force....Doesn't that come with a foregone conclusion that more money is always the answer?

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