The safety net that catches people with mental and behavioral health issues before they land in the criminal justice system will expand by late summer or early fall, but not to the entire city. The who replace police officers in some nonviolent situations and connect people with services. Historically, about 25 percent of DPD arrests have been people experiencing homelessness, according to the department. For example, if someone needs a place to sleep, they might curl up in a business’s doorway. Sure, it’s trespassing, but no one’s hurting anyone, so the idea is to connect that person to...…The safety net that catches people with mental and behavioral health issues before they land in the criminal justice system will expand by late summer or early fall, but not to the entire city. The who replace police officers in some nonviolent situations and connect people with services. Historically, about 25 percent of DPD arrests have been people experiencing homelessness, according to the department. For example, if someone needs a place to sleep, they might curl up in a business’s doorway. Sure, it’s trespassing, but no one’s hurting anyone, so the idea is to connect that person to...WW…

The Denver Police Department mishandled its response to protests against racism and police brutality this summer, at times violating its own policies and endangering people while leaving a scant paper trail, according to a report released Tuesday by the Office of the Independent Monitor.According to Independent Monitor Nick Mitchell, whose office watchdogs the city’s police and sheriff departments, while some actions taken by police officers were warranted, outlines a problematic and recommends remedies.The OIM reviewed hundreds of hours of video footage and audio from radio communications,...…The Denver Police Department mishandled its response to protests against racism and police brutality this summer, at times violating its own policies and endangering people while leaving a scant paper trail, according to a report released Tuesday by the Office of the Independent Monitor.According to Independent Monitor Nick Mitchell, whose office watchdogs the city’s police and sheriff departments, while some actions taken by police officers were warranted, outlines a problematic and recommends remedies.The OIM reviewed hundreds of hours of video footage and audio from radio communications,...WW…

Like most of the 2.45 million tenants evicted nationwide since mid-March of 2020, Darrius Davis couldn’t afford rent. Darrius Davis’ phone rang around 9 p.m. on the last Thursday in October 2022. “You’re good on rent, son?” his mom Jenifer Davis asked on the other end of the line. Over the past few months, Darrius, 25, had needed her help, and she and others in the family had delivered. “Yeah, Mom,” Darrius answered, ignoring the eviction letters stuffed between books, under the couch and on the closet shelf in the home where he recorded the podcast “Just a Regular Guy.” On the show, he...…Like most of the 2.45 million tenants evicted nationwide since mid-March of 2020, Darrius Davis couldn’t afford rent. Darrius Davis’ phone rang around 9 p.m. on the last Thursday in October 2022. “You’re good on rent, son?” his mom Jenifer Davis asked on the other end of the line. Over the past few months, Darrius, 25, had needed her help, and she and others in the family had delivered. “Yeah, Mom,” Darrius answered, ignoring the eviction letters stuffed between books, under the couch and on the closet shelf in the home where he recorded the podcast “Just a Regular Guy.” On the show, he...WW…

A young program that puts troubled nonviolent people in the hands of health care workers instead of police officers has proven successful in its first six months, according to Since June 1, 2020, a mental health clinician and a paramedic have traveled around the city in a white van handling low-level incidents, like trespassing and mental health episodes, that would have otherwise fallen to patrol officers with badges and guns. In its first six months, the Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, has responded to 748 incidents. None required police or led to arrests or jail time....…A young program that puts troubled nonviolent people in the hands of health care workers instead of police officers has proven successful in its first six months, according to Since June 1, 2020, a mental health clinician and a paramedic have traveled around the city in a white van handling low-level incidents, like trespassing and mental health episodes, that would have otherwise fallen to patrol officers with badges and guns. In its first six months, the Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, has responded to 748 incidents. None required police or led to arrests or jail time....WW…

Updated 11:15 a.m., 12/4/2020The RiNo Arts District has severed ties with Denver’s famous CRUSH Walls festival after several women made sexual assault claims against the festival’s founder, Robin Munro. Now, it’s unclear whether the festival will continue independently, with Munro still at the helm of an event that grants status for local artists.“The RiNo Art District is no longer affiliated with Crush Walls,” RiNo Art District founder Tracy Weil said in an email to Denverite. “We’ll be continuing to provide paid opportunities for artists with our mural programming and new events in 2021....…Updated 11:15 a.m., 12/4/2020The RiNo Arts District has severed ties with Denver’s famous CRUSH Walls festival after several women made sexual assault claims against the festival’s founder, Robin Munro. Now, it’s unclear whether the festival will continue independently, with Munro still at the helm of an event that grants status for local artists.“The RiNo Art District is no longer affiliated with Crush Walls,” RiNo Art District founder Tracy Weil said in an email to Denverite. “We’ll be continuing to provide paid opportunities for artists with our mural programming and new events in 2021....WW…

A legal fund providing aid for immigrants got a big boost this week that organizers believe will significantly increase the number of people it can help. Denver City Council on Monday approved adding $300,000 for the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund, which was established to give money to local nonprofits helping low-income undocumented immigrants facing deportations. Money it gives out can also be used to pay for naturalization proceedings and DACA applications. The fund has helped 417 Denver residents between September 2018 to August 2020, according to information provided by the...…A legal fund providing aid for immigrants got a big boost this week that organizers believe will significantly increase the number of people it can help. Denver City Council on Monday approved adding $300,000 for the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund, which was established to give money to local nonprofits helping low-income undocumented immigrants facing deportations. Money it gives out can also be used to pay for naturalization proceedings and DACA applications. The fund has helped 417 Denver residents between September 2018 to August 2020, according to information provided by the...WW…

A young program that puts troubled nonviolent people in the hands of health care workers instead of police officers has proven successful in its first six months, according to Since June 1, 2020, a mental health clinician and a paramedic have traveled around the city in a white van handling low-level incidents, like trespassing and mental health episodes, that would have otherwise fallen to patrol officers with badges and guns. In its first six months, the Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, has responded to 748 incidents. None required police or led to arrests or jail time....…A young program that puts troubled nonviolent people in the hands of health care workers instead of police officers has proven successful in its first six months, according to Since June 1, 2020, a mental health clinician and a paramedic have traveled around the city in a white van handling low-level incidents, like trespassing and mental health episodes, that would have otherwise fallen to patrol officers with badges and guns. In its first six months, the Support Team Assisted Response program, or STAR, has responded to 748 incidents. None required police or led to arrests or jail time....WW…

The city will partially fund two temporary sanctioned campsites for people experiencing homelessness. The contract between the Colorado Village Collaborative and the city will provide $899,569 for two sites for the rest of the year. Denver City Council members voted 10-1 for the contract Tuesday night. Councilmember Amanda Sawyer said she voted against the contract in part because she didn’t think it was a responsible way to spend tax dollars. She said supporting sanctioned camping contradicts a decision by voters to keep the Councilmember Robin Kniech said she supported the contract,...…The city will partially fund two temporary sanctioned campsites for people experiencing homelessness. The contract between the Colorado Village Collaborative and the city will provide $899,569 for two sites for the rest of the year. Denver City Council members voted 10-1 for the contract Tuesday night. Councilmember Amanda Sawyer said she voted against the contract in part because she didn’t think it was a responsible way to spend tax dollars. She said supporting sanctioned camping contradicts a decision by voters to keep the Councilmember Robin Kniech said she supported the contract,...WW…