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In a span of 100 days from October 1, 2023, to January 12, 2024, Denver's city-operated or affiliated homelessness accommodations have been linked to over 4,000 emergency responses, as per Denver police data. This investigation, propelled by a Colorado Open Records Act request, uncovers the challenges faced by these facilities.
Emergency Response Breakdown at Homeless Hotels:
- The hotel formerly known as DoubleTree, at 4040 Quebec Street, recorded 1,212 calls.
- The rebranded Best Western, now New Directions at 4590 Quebec Street, saw 709 calls.
- The old Radisson, located at 4849 Bannock Street, experienced 680 calls.
- The hotel previously Embassy Suites, currently serving as Tamarac Family Shelter at 7525 E. Hampden Avenue, had 771 calls.
- The Stay Inn, at 12033 38th Avenue, accounted for 795 calls.
Community Concerns and Crime Statistics:
Local business owners in District 8, hosting the majority of these hotels, had previously cautioned Mayor Mike Johnston about potential crime spikes. Notably, the owner of Chick-fil-A near Fusion Studios highlighted disturbances caused by its residents. However, Fusion Studios, under the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, reported significantly fewer 911 calls, totaling 136 from November 1 through February 27.
The city’s online crime dashboard reveals that within the same 100-day period, District 8 faced various criminal activities ranging from larceny to drug and alcohol-related incidents. Denver police urge caution when interpreting these statistics, noting that not all calls may indicate criminal activity.
Community Reactions and Hotel Nicknames:
The citizen group Do Better Denver has taken to social media to assign nicknames to these hotels, reflecting the community's perception and concerns. Notable mentions include “Trouble Tree” for the DoubleTree and “Meth Western” for Best Western.
Recent incidents at the Tamarac Family Shelter, including two stabbings, have prompted city council member Diana Romero Campbell to advocate for enhanced security measures, emphasizing the community's safety as a paramount concern.
Q: How many emergency calls were made from Denver’s city-run homeless hotels in the last 100 days?
A: Over 4,000 emergency calls were made, highlighting the response challenges faced by these facilities.
Q: What types of incidents do these 911 calls represent?
A: The data includes a wide range of incidents, though specific breakdowns of call types were not provided. It's important to note that not all calls may indicate criminal activity but here are the reported 911 call types:
Accident unknown injury, 1
Assault, 8
Assist citizen, 2
Attempt to call or pick up, 3
Auto theft, 1
Auto theft recovery, 2
Burglary, 2
Criminal mischief, 1
Disturbance, 13
Family disturbance, 2
Domestic violence, 5
Chest pain, 1
Overdose or poisoning, 5
Fraud/forgery, 1
Harassment, 3
Intoxicated person, 3
Mental health, 1
Nature unknown, 4
Noise complaint, 1
Restraining order, 3
Shots heard, 1
Suicidal person, 3
Theft, 1
Threats, 4
Trespass, 13
Welfare check, 19
Ongoing Improvements at Fusion Studios:
Police did not distinguish the nature of the 911 calls, the proximity of two hotels on Quebec Street has led to possible duplicate counts. Additionally, the reported incidents include responses within a 1,000-foot radius around the listed addresses.
Even with Fusion Studios' lower emergency call volume, efforts have been made to improve the living conditions and safety of its residents. Bright lighting and collaborative efforts between property management and case management teams have led to significant improvements. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless remains committed to creating a safe, connected community that proactively addresses concerns to reduce the need for law enforcement intervention.
Originally reported by David Heitz on Newsbreak
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