Man Claims He's Witnessed 100+ Violent Incidents On 16th Street Mall
DENVER (CBS4)- A man says he's witnessed more than 100 violent incidents on the 16th Street Mall over the past seven months. Some of those include menacing and someone swinging a crowbar.
Terry Darnell lives in an apartment above the popular pedestrian shopping area that has been plagued in recent months by crime.
Darnell said about 10 p.m. on Wednesday, at least two men clobbered someone and knocked him out. He said the violence is something that happens about every other night.
"What I saw was him trying to get away and they just began chasing him in a circle," said Darnell.
The confrontations will sometimes happen during the day.
"It's like somebody walking around with a crowbar and he's shouting and picking a fight with anybody who just makes eye contact," said Darnell.
Darnell said after police announced earlier this summer that they would beef up patrols, the officers are not spread out as they had been, but bunched together near restaurants.
Darnell also has 911 on speed dial and believes making eye contact is risky, "It's literally that chaotic here now."
Denver police told CBS4's Howard Nathan that the chief expects officers to patrol the mall.