Denver Mayor: 'We're Doubling Down' Against Gang Violence
DENVER (CBS4)- Denver's mayor teamed up with other community leaders and elected officials to announce additional efforts to suppress gang violence.
Mayor Michael Hancock joined Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh, Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Denver Police Chief along with Denver City Council members, Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey and other elected officials on the front steps of the City County Building on Thursday afternoon.
"Today the community's government stands together to say 'Enough is enough.' We will not stand idly by while gang members retaliate against one another and put innocent lives at risk," Mayor Hancock said. "While these solutions are never simple, this city team will ensure we are doing everything we can to serve our kids, to serve our families and to keep our neighborhoods safe. Our regional, state and federal partners are standing firm with us today to help us hold those accountable for this senseless violence in our streets."
The mayor announced the immediate provision of additional staff and patrols, increased communication with the community and 24-hour surveillance of the neighborhoods experiencing gang violence.
"Despite all the resources that we're pulling towards this, it is absolutely critical that we have the eyes and ears of the citizens in this community. Very few crimes occur where somebody doesn't know," said Denver Police Chief Robert White.
White said there have been 12 gang-related shootings in northeast Denver since January. He believes the spike in gang violence can be traced back to November 2014 when three people were shot in a clash between rival gangs at a rap concert.
Hancock also created an Impact Team to provide direct support to those communities which he hopes will engage individuals, families, neighbors and witnesses to discuss solutions to violence. That team is made up of representatives from the Denver City Council, Denver Police Department, Human Services, Children's Affairs, City Attorney's Office, Community Partnerships, Public Works and the Housing and Workforce Development.
"The gang violence occurring on our streets is unacceptable," said Councilman Albus Brooks who represents District 8. "It forces our residents to live in fear while putting everything our city is working for at risk. I want to commend the Mayor for stepping up to the table and making sure that we suppress this gang violence immediately with police suppression along with gang intervention and outreach. We're prepared to invest $500,000 in this initiative. It's important to the kids in this city and the people who live in this city."
Local law enforcement agencies are teaming up with federal agencies to stop gang violence before it gets worse.
The ATF has already committed to immediately deploy 15 new surveillance cameras. Additional reward money, personnel support and technology solutions are also being explored.
The ATF and FBI said they will use every available resource to arrest suspects and prosecute gang members.
Prosecutors said they will use organized crime statutes to put suspects behind bars.
