Monitoring Crime Activity at Suburban Studios: January - April 2025

Thanks for the feedback! I am working with APD to continue gathering data that can be used to better correlate trends. Beyond quantitative evidence discussed here (DUIs were not duplicated in 2023, there are two categories of DUI in that year and the chart just cut off the descriptor, an understandable point of confusion!), which is intended to just share what is happening; many neighbors have captured crime perpetrated by homeless individuals on camera, which has been a new trend this year. Whether that can be tied directly to the shelter or not will depend on what the data shows, but as of now, there is definitely a change in the landscape of our neighborhood that corresponded to the beginning of this year and I’m hopeful we can work together to address it so it doesn’t become a crisis like other places.

Finally, I am glad there are options that exist to help people out of homelessness, and I’m thrilled for the 10 people who have found success with this program. I am, however, concerned about the issues that come with a lack of communication from the city to our neighborhood about the program, those who are removed from the program and then find themselves without resources in our neighborhood, and the growing trend by the city to enact projects without solidified plans, policies, and procedures in Arvada.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Maci I appreciate your comment attempting to shut down community concerns but your points here have a few flaws.

This article is an analysis of crime in an area and the data itself suggests causation, but are not the author’s claims so I wouldn’t make assumptions and then talk about how making assumptions is harmful, kinda hypocritical tbh. Also, the other potential external factors you mention (broader economic instability, COVID-19 recovery, etc) all suggest that crime would increase due to more people struggling financially which concedes to the idea that areas with poorer members face higher crimes. You further mention how homelessness increases petty crimes, and by that logic concentrating the homeless population in an area would therefore raise petty crimes in the area (which you argue against somehow despite basically saying it’s true).

Also, 13 crimes a quarter by a single location doesn’t seem very manageable. What if someone told you there’s only 50 crimes a year here your children are totally safe, would you agree? This strains the police force who is already struggling due to lack of officers.

You also make a lot of assumptions and your tone comes off as “my opinion is right and everything you say is wrong.” You must think a lot of yourself to attempt to use a flawed, oxymoronic argument to insult someone that is spending their spare time doing a community service by simply analyzing crime reports, engaging with city officials and the police, and sharing the information they find to help inform their local community.

Giving people housing does on the surface reduce crime because it eases desperation but it is definitely not the sole solution to homelessness. The more people that take advantage of free or reduced cost housing the more it strains those who are on the verge of homelessness as taxes and housing costs rise for people who can’t get government assistance. I’d like to point out that there are 10,000 individuals in Denver experiencing homelessness but 500 million is spent per year in that area alone. That is 50k per year per person… lots of us who aren’t homeless don’t even make that and we aren’t out committing crimes to make up for the difference.

Further, shelters also siphon the desperate to an area where if they are struggling they may be forced to steal, and I would rather have someone steal than starve but the fact is they will be forced into committing crimes. Housing logically also reduces arrests because people can sleep (or do drugs and store stolen goods) in a building rather than the street where people will call the police and result in crime reports (therefore “reducing” crime). I do not think that anyone should have to finance the housing of a true criminal, but thats often what happens when housing is given without barriers to entry.

But in the end, arguing with someone searching for solutions is not the answer and it is only through the analysis of data that we can figure out what solutions are the best for everyone. But if flexing your moral superiority in a comment makes you feel better then keep up the good work.

Thanks for the feedback! I am working with APD to continue gathering data that can be used to better correlate trends. Beyond quantitative evidence discussed here; many neighbors have captured crime perpetrated by homeless individuals on camera, which has been a new trend this year. Whether that can be tied directly to the shelter or not will depend on what the data shows, but as of now, there is definitely a change in the landscape of our neighborhood that corresponded to the beginning of this year and I’m hopeful we can work together to address it so it doesn’t become a crisis like other places.

Can you let me know why the higher crime would easily be attributed to popeyes, fascinations or Walmart?

I have lived in my house for 25 years and fascinations and popeyes have always been here and Walmart has been here for more then 10 years as well- none of those locations are new .. In fact the claim that lots of new things on this corner have happened is something i don't understand at all. The only new thing is the hotel being a shelter, Lunas sold to their cousin and it's now another Mexican restaurant but basically the same and Walgreens closing- everything else has remained the same.

Thank you for the support! What facility is being planned for your neighborhood? Do you have any additional information on who is opening the facility? In our neighborhood, we have seen a change. Just in the last three weeks, we have had two arsons, multiple car break-ins, lots of drug use, stealing, and loitering, and lots of back-and-forth between the RTD station and the emergency/transitional shelter, although it seems like behavior is pretty good within the shelter. I can't say the same for the surrounding area! Feel free to contact me and provide any other details about what's going on in your neighborhood. I'm happy to chat on the phone, too! Have a lovely day, Karen