Another take on Gentrification, Courtesy of "In Shaw"

My wife made me aware of a great blog by a woman in the Washington D.C. area that talks a lot about redeveloping urban neighborhoods, and gentrification in general. For anyone with an opinion on gentrification, especially those out there that see it as an evil to be avoided, and those that see gentrification as a crusade by rich white people to displace residents of color, I highly recommend checking it out. Below is an excerpt from one of her posts, or you can visit the blog here.

And big thanks to my wife for turning me onto this great blog. Oh, and for Mari, the author of this great blog, for so well articulating the many issues and points of view regarding gentrification.

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Monday, July 14, 2003

Confessions of a gentrifier I don't fit the normal profile of a gentifier..... First, I'm not rich. On a yearly basis, if not more often my profession's listserv goes on a tizzy about how we're never paid much. according to some government tables I make about 1/2 of the region's adverage income. Second, I'm black. Of course some may want to take away my black person card because of the crew I hang with and I know I'm never going to win a Blacker than Thou contest. It says black on the birth certificate, so that's what I'm sticking with. Third, well there is no 3rd. But I like things to have a begining, a middle and an end. I do fit some of the gentifying stereotypes in otherways: I'm new, moving in in 2000 I have a graduate degree I'm young (sort of) I've improved my yard and house I attend community meetings and support changes I have no kids I am a homeowner I moved to Shaw because a) it is on the Green Line which will take me to Archives II, where I thought I would wind up working. b) not far from the Yellow line, which would take me to Braddock Road, where I did wind up working, c) near grocery store, laundry and everything else a car-less person needs, and lastly and most importantly d) I could afford it. I'm a single woman, there is only so much house I can afford. I don't like huge condo buildings, actually I hate condo buildings. Also I needed to be near the metro, as mentioned previously, I don't have a car. Not a condo, near the metro, equals expensive. But my Realtor found something in my small measly price range. All you new people just want to come in and change things! That's what I hear everyso often from several of the old timers. Old timers have been in the neighborhood since the Indians were fishing in the Potomac. They'll lash out against people who have lived in the neighborhood 15 years, which apparently makes you a newbie still. The old timers are typically old retired women, who insult you in that being nice but insulting way. I didn't move in with a plan. I was aware of changes and potential and I am supportive of it. Change is going to happen. People who have been here 15 years and want change do see an opening and are acting on it using some of the engery (and naivite) of the new people. So yes, I guess in some ways I do want to change things. ** Cut down on liquor stores Good Lord, how many of these stores do you need. Right where I am there are about 3 stores in a 2 block radius where I can grab a 40, or some Mad Dog 20/20. I'm not against beer and wine. I drink wine but you won't find me in the neighborhood liquor store, unless they start carrying a variety of foreign and domestic red wines, none of that Boones Farm crap but real wine. **Do something about abandoned buildings Do old timers like abandoned buildings? It brings joy to my heart so see a house that previously was boarded up getting fixed up to be sold. Now people with the money to fix up houses also are up on the current economic realities and know that they can make some money and they do. They'll fix up a house and sell it for an outragous price. Usually out of the price range of most lower and middle income folks. Heck even Manna fixed then sold houses that were out of my price range. So fixing up the abandoned buildings come at a price. ** Cut down on crime Can't we all agree on this? Apparently not. Some newbie neighbors attended a meeting where she was attacked for wanted greater police presence on her street. The attendees told her if she wanted police presence she should have moved to Georgetown! **Spend money in the community I would like to spend more of my hard earned dollars in the immediate area of where I live but I have 2 questions: 1. Are you selling what I want to be buying? 2. Will I be treated with respect? One old timer chastised the group for not supporting Black businesses and the businesses that have been here since forever. Well I would support those businesses if they sold something I wanted to buy. See the comment about the liquor stores. They aren't selling what I want, and I am not going to buy what I don't want. I want fresh fruit. I want variety. Secondly, I don't want to be treated like a criminal before I even walk into the store. I know the neighborhood was not and in some spots is not safe enough to remove the plexiglass between the cashier and the customer. But I find the whole experience insulting in some ways, so given a choice, I choose not to but myself through that. I choose to go to Giant on P Street. They have what I want, they don't insult me (the cashier may ingore me, but not insult me), and I get to spend my dollars in Shaw. I also support Chain Reaction. The service is good, the prices okay, and most importantly they're close. I don't eat at any of the take out joints, this goes back to the not selling what I want. I would like a nice sit down place, and I have yet to try the Italian restaurant on New York Ave, but that is still far. The best I can do is the Wendy's on Florida, which also is far, but they have the Wendy's Jr. Cheeseburger. If a store or restaurant that was nice and clean and respectful opened up I may visit it and maybe even patronize it. They're are some things that I and my fellow newbies do that are threatening to the old timers and anti-gentrifiers, and I'll try owning up to them. ***You're trying to move people out of their homes. Yes and no. Are these the loud drug dealers down the street? They why hell yes, I want them gone. The old timers may remember when Soinso was a cute little kid, but now he's 20 and is hanging with a dope selling crew. They may feel sorry for them. Newbies show up and they just see the dope selling crew, not the cute kids they were. Sadly, some of these dealers work out of their grandmothers/momma's/girlfriend's house and when a community of law abiding citizens set they're mind to it it becomes "get rid of them all and let G-d, sort them out." Even in situations where it isn't drugs but quality of life issues like noise and trash people look at it as a problem to be fixed and the easiest solution is to get rid of the problem instead of changing the behavior. Section 8. That tends to be synomous with problem house. They're are some good Section 8 people, but if a house has 12 people running in and out of it at all hours; people putting all their business out there on the street; children running around like they don't have any home training; being loud; being bad; being ugly, people just call it a Section 8 house. So yes, those people are targeted. However there are people who are pushed out because of higher taxes and rents. They are not targeted, they are just victims of the changing economic times. Of course, according to Lance Freeman,at Columbia University, and Frank Braconi, at the Citizens Housing and Planning Council people aren't pushed out (see New York Times 3/26/2002 The Big City; The Gentry, Misjudged As Neighbors by JOHN TIERNEY ). They were bound to leave anyway regardless of what was going on in that particular neighborhood.

Good riddance, Elbra

I caught a little of the March 20th District 8 City Council Candidate Forum tonight on TV, and I have to say that each one of the candidates at least appears to have good intentions about actually making a difference in the district.

But each one of them should be sending outgoing councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth a thank-you card for setting the bar so low on what is expected of them. While I understand why the current candidates are being diplomatic to Ms. Wedgeworth in warm, fuzzy statements like they'll "be proud to continue the tradition of excellence" she set, if one of them called her out for the stinking pile of (expletive) she has turned out to be as an ambassador for District 8, they'd instantly get my vote.

Can someone tell me something that Ms. Wedgeworth has actually contributed to this district in the last five years? Anyone? Heck, even her website suggests she checked out several years ago. (I can't find anything of note that she is bragging about that has happened since 2003.)

And don't tell me about the Democratic National Convention. While it's certainly arguable that the convention coming to Denver will benefit the city as a whole, I think it's unforgivable how Ms. Wedgeworth has taken her eye off her entire reason for being elected--SPECIFICALLY helping District 8--to chase around the Hillary Clinton crowd.

Now I know someone is going to say "Downtown is part of District 8, and thus she's helping District 8 by bringing in the Democratic National Convention." Okay, let's do a little comparison. Spend the morning walking around the 16th Street Mall, then the afternoon walking around Cole, Whittier, and the rest of District 8. Who needs the help here?

What about the education issues on the forefront of residents' minds? Crime? Violence? Graffiti? Poverty and health services? I wonder if Ms. Wedgeworth needs to read her own website to remind her exactly which district she represented. "Oh, right, District 8, I was way off!"

I can speak for it first-hand: I'm currently working with the promoters of an upcoming bicycling event in Curtis Park. Our organization contacted Ms. Wedgeworth to gain her office's support and assistance in making sure the event will be a successful, and sustainable one. We explained that the event is intended to spotlight Curtis Park and other redeveloping North Denver neighborhoods and businesses; provide a healthy, constructive event for underserved local residents; and even offers free bicycle helmets to children whose parents can't afford them. Ms Wedgeworth's response? That she didn't have time to even think about helping.

Again, can someone tell me some tangibile contribution Ms. Wedgeworth has made since Friends went off the air? She checked out so long ago, it's laughable.

She can't even maintain a basic facade of being engaged by keeping her website current.

I can't wait to see what we can actually achieve in this district when one of the new candidates (Carla Madison, Darrell Watson, Greg Rasheed, Lynne Smith, and Sharon Bailey) gets elected.

You can learn more about them here.

While I have picked my candidate, I've realized that any one of them, if they at least show up for work, will be a significant step forward for District 8 over the neglect we've endured under Ms. Wedgeworth.

Good luck with your convention, Elbra.

Join us at the March Cole Neighborhood Association Meeting!

Residents, come join our growing group at the next Cole Neighborhood Association Meeting, March 29th, 2007 at 3280 Downing Street, from 5:30-8:00 PM.

This is a special meeting, where we'll get the chance to meet our district's candidates for city council. A tentative schedule is below. Hope to see you there--And bring some of your neighbors!

5:30-6:00 p.m. – Meet-and-greet

6:00-7:00 p.m. – Each candidate will have 10 minutes (10x6=60 min)
* 4 minutes to make a speech, 6 minutes for Q&A
* All residents' questions must be written on index cards and submitted to the moderator by

5:59 p.m. Questions will be edited by the moderator for clarity/brevity.

7:00-7:15 p.m. – Each candidate will have two minutes for a conclusion.

7:15-8:00 p.m. – Community-wide dialogue with neighborhood police officers on issues around the implementation of the Broken Windows program.

Denver Digs Street Trees Sale 2007

One of the most shocking differences between Cole Neighborhood and our old neighborhood of The Highlands is the lack of mature trees. Whereas in the highlands one finds cool, shady, lush (at least for the desert) tree-lined streets, here in Cole most of our blocks are home to two or three trees at best. And those that exist are either relatively young, or elderly trees suffering from years upon years of neglect. Worse yet, it seems that two out of every three trees down here is the dreaded alanthus, Denver's ubiquitous weed tree.

Head toward City Park to the east, and you again find tree-lined, shady streets. But not much in Cole.

While I've heard people talk about some sort of "tree blight" in this part of the city, I've been thus unable to find any reference to it, despite dedicated efforts by my good friend Google. But it seems clear to me something over here killed the trees.

What are the consequences for current Cole residents? Well, beyond the obvious aesthetics, there is less shade to filter the brutal Colorado sun, meaning our streets, sidewalks, gardens and yards soak in (and then radiate back) more heat during the summer. Having no shade on our streets drives residents inside in the summertime, reducing the communal quality of life most urban residents prize. Our lawns and gardens require more precious water, and many hell strips simply dry up and blow away. From a wastewater standpoint, trees are a tremendous asset--A study in 1998 suggested that Denver's urban tree canopy at the time provided equivalent value to a 21 million dollar wastewater facility. And finally, we're missing out on trees' inherent ability to filter a tremendous amount of bad stuff from our air--like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. These last two points are especially important given our neighborhood's proximity to two major highways and metro Denver's expanse of streets and parking lots.

So, we don't have enough trees to start with, the ones we have are either near the end of their life cycle, grossly neglected, or inferior weed trees, and no one is making a point of planting new ones. Anyone else see where things are headed? And I won't even play the global warming card that is so in fashion right now.

It's clear that we need to make a point of getting as many residents of the neighborhood to plant (and care for!) a tree. Compared to other campaigns residents champion, what could be easier than planting a new tree? Well, in all fairness, many residents can't afford to go plunk $100 or more down on a new tree, or don't know the first thing about how to select, plant, or care for a tree in Denver's harsh desert climate.

Last year we learned of a fantastic program put on by The Park People, a Denver non-profit committed to maintaining and enhancing Denver's natural beauty, that makes it easy for anyone--anyone--to help enhance our neighborhood by planting a tree.

Each year the Park People have a tree sale on Arbor Day where they sell carefully-selected Denver-friendly trees at fantastic prices , currently from $45 to $65. And these aren't tiny saplings that will start to provide shade in 25 years--Most of these trees are 4-7 feet tall, so they can make an immediate difference to our landscape.

They also come complete with planting and care instructions, to help ensure the best potential for these trees becoming established, healthy residents of Cole.

Even better, Cole neighborhood was selected this year as one of several to qualify for free street trees--Meaning residents that applied were able to take one of several varieties of trees home free of charge, as long as they planted them streetside.

While the deadline has passed to apply for free street trees for 2007, the Park People's annual tree sale is coming up on April 21st (Earth Day) from 9:00-11:30 at six metro Denver locations. Do your part and take the cash you spend each and every month on cable TV or entertainment and make a very tangible contribution to the neighborhood by purchasing and planting a tree. And just as importantly, make sure your neighbors know about the program, too.

The Park People can be reached at 303.722.6262 or info@theparkpeople.org. And of course check out their website: http://theparkpeople.org.

Thanks for reading.

Local Business Spotlight: Urban Roadhouse and Bluenote Catering

I got criticized by a fellow blogger the other day for making a post about a neighborhood barbecue restaurant, stating that my writings were too "diluted" as a result. Guess I shouldn't waste valuable space supporting a local businesses, when that same space could be spent whining, complaining, and just perpetuating the cynicism and negativity that afflicts our neighborhoods in general.

Oh well, as a relative conservative, I will always see the future of our neighborhood in free enterprise and individuals that lead by doing, rather than sitting around and complaining. And in that spirit, I have to point out that in nearby Curtis Park, we have yet another great neighborhood partner: Urban Roadhouse.

Located on the corner of 27th and Arapahoe, Urban Roadhouse offers North Denver residents fantastic Platte River Roasters brewed coffee (also available by the pound) as well as a diverse selection of breakfast burritoes, sandwiches and salads.

They also offer a full range of catering services from box lunches to full-on on-site catering.

I ate there the other day and enjoyed a generously sized B.L.A.T. (Bacon, lettuce, Avocado and Tomato) and a Pelegrino limonata--A perfect lunch.

Like so many businesses in the area, they're likely 3-4 years from looking like geniuses for opening up where they did--So as always, join me in supporting them. Buy local!

Urban Roadhouse and Bluenote Catering are at 2700 Arapahoe in North Denver. You can call ahead for take out too: 303.291.3347

(Photo courtesy of MileHighBuzz.com)

Broken Windows Policing comes to Cole Neighborhood, Denver

Well, with no shortage of controversy, with the endorsement of the Metro Organization for People the Denver Police Department District 2 are set to begin "Broken Windows" Policing in Cole Neigborhood.

While many residents (like my wife and me) are thrilled to hear of this new focus on improving the climate in our neighborhood of Cole, the announcement of this initiative has brought as much if not more outcry as relief among many residents, in particular, minorities. (It still surprises me that individuals won't speak out or become involved to address the crime problems in our neighborhood, including the recent murder of a college student home visiting his folks, but are so quick to criticize the police department for this initiative, before it has even begun. Whatever the cause, it is certainly a shame that there isn't a better relationship between many residents and the Denver police force, as a partnership between both is essential for the continued progress of the neighborhood. While again many will be quick to point the finger at the police department, I think any reasonable individual will admit the likely true responsibility for this animosity is in reality shared between police and community).

Regardless, residents of Cole owe it to themselves, to the police department they are criticizing, and more importantly, to the rest of the neighborhood to do their homework to truly understand the issue at hand--Not just swallow the party line the police department and MOP are presenting. Similarly, residents should do their homework before jumping on the bandwagon of the critics and borderline activists on the other side of the argument.

I apologize in advance for the length of this post--However, I feel it is a crucial issue for residents to understand, and as such I tried to present the issue in as much entirety as possible. What is my goal? While I have come to my own conclusion on whether Broken Windows is a welcome addition to our neighborhood, I want to provide as much information as possible to individuals seeking it out, so that they may make their own educated assessment. And by educated, I mean seeing both sides of the issue, not just the one that I think gains the most "press", which is the side of the critics.

It's not hard in today's information age to do your homework, and glean enough different points of view from the articles and publications available online to form an educated opinion, yet is it just me, or are people becoming less informed with time, and instead just buying into the most convenient explanation or position on a topic?

While I'm no expert (I'm just a pseudo-intellectual according to one blogger that believes they have this issue all figured out) but I've done enough reading, and attended enough meetings on the issue that I think I can at least present an opinion that is formed through a thorough understanding of both sides of the issue, unlike many.

First off, what is "Broken Windows"?

To initially answer this question, I'll simply point readers to the original article that spawned the "Broken Windows" theory of policing.

Long story short, the theory basically holds that a solution to crime epidemics in many neigborhoods is to fix the problems when they are small. For example, in dealing with vandalism, repair the broken windows within a short time, say, a day or a week, and the tendency is that vandals are much less likely to break more windows or do further damage. Clean up the sidewalk every day, and the tendency is for litter not to accumulate (or for the rate of littering to be much less). Problems do not escalate and thus respectable residents do not flee a neighborhood.

Thus, the theory makes two claims: 1) future petty crime and "nuisance" anti-social behavior will be deterred, and as a result 2) major crime will be prevented.

From what I can tell, most critics of the theory focus their criticism on the second point, as well as a potential increase in police profiling and loss of civil liberties at the hands of the police department.

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Robert Cisneros explained the Broken Windows theory in a 1995 essay as purporting "that a certain sequence of events can be expected in deteriorating neighborhoods":

Evidence of decay (accumulated trash, broken windows, deteriorated building exteriors) remains in the neighborhood for a reasonably long period of time. People who live and work in the area feel more vulnerable and begin to withdraw. They become less willing to intervene to maintain public order (for example, to attempt to break up groups of rowdy teens loitering on street corners) or to address physical signs of deterioration. Sensing this, teens and other possible offenders become bolder and intensify their harassment and vandalism. Residents become yet more fearful and withdraw further from community involvement and upkeep. This atmosphere then attracts offenders from outside the area, who sense that it has become a vulnerable and less risky site for crime.

The "broken windows" theory suggests neighborhood strategies such as those listed below help to deter and reduce crime:

• Quick replacement of broken windows
• Prompt removal of abandoned vehicles
• Fast clean up of illegally dumped items, litter and spilled garbage
• Quick paint out of graffiti
• Finding (or building) better places for teens to gather than street corners
• Fresh paint on buildings
  Clean sidewalks and street gutters"

Seems to make sense, right? I can say that I see a lot of parallels between Mr. Cisneros' "sequence of events" in a deteriorating neighborhood and what I have seen in my six years spent in Denver's redeveloping neighborhoods. There is no doubt in my mind that crime in a neighborhood creates its own momentum if left unchecked. Whether it's littering, public drug use, or worse yet, drug dealing and violence, once the bad guys realize that no one in the neighborhood cares or is going to speak up, and that the police aren't actively enforcing the law in an area, they become increasingly bold.

Want proof? Come into my neighborhood and see individuals urinating in public, walking their un-spayed or neutered, unvaccinated dogs in populated areas without leashes, drinking in public, littering, ignoring traffic laws, even publicly using or dealing drugs, etc. And then acting flabbergasted when someone (like me) complains or calls the cops about their lawlessness. When do people stop caring about obeying the law? Stop caring about reckless or dangerous behavior? Where do you think that apathy starts? It starts with one person doing one of these acts, and not experiencing any consequences (no one complains or corrects them). That's how individuals develop habits, and I'd agree, it's also how neighborhoods do.

So why, you ask, doesn't everyone embrace this form of policing, as it seems to sense, at least on a basic level? It seems like most critics of the theory come up with the following criticisms:

1. There is no empirical proof, they say that Broken Windows actually works in reducing crime.

And at first glance, there does seem to be a lack of statistical evidence that Broken Windows policing creates a quantifiable decrease in serious crime (at least until you realize that one of the most-referenced critics, Bernard Harcourt, apparently and possibly intentionally omitted the data from two neighborhoods that potentially would have changed the statistics upon which he bases his entire attack). While the Giuliani administration in New York City, the first adopters of the theory back in the 80's proudly tout a sudden decrease in petty and serious crime after implementation of the theory that continued for 10 years (though even Giuliani suggests Broken Windows was just one prong of a multi-pronged initiative that led to the reduction in crime), critics are quick to point out that many cities in the same period of time, regardless of their policing, saw similar decreases in crime. They also point out that several other factors during the period could have contributed to the drop in crime, like tougher gun laws, a decrease in crack cocaine use, increased employment, and longer prison terms. Additionally, and this makes sense to me, critics point out that correlation doesn't necessarily infer causation. For example, one study I found showed that there was also a correlation between the New York Yankees high winning percentage during the Broken Windows period in NYC and the decrease in crime (The "Broken Yankees" Theory, page 28), but does that mean that the New York Yankees reduced crime in NYC? Even I must admit this makes for interesting thought on the topic.

I suggest you do your own homework: Read some of the criticisms here, here and here.

But unlike the bandwagon critics of Broken Windows, don't miss the articles out there showing that empirical support for broken windows' effectiveness might actually exist, like here, here and better yet, specifically referring to Broken Windows in Denver here. Or Bratton and Kelling's own rebuttal to many of their critics.

And no matter what the critics say, while the issue may be too convoluted to allow us to extract a direct causational relationship between Broken Windows' previous usage and crime reduction in those areas, they can't deny that at minimum a correlation did exist--And even without this data, why is it so hard for anyone to believe that increased enforcement of crime leads to a reduction in crime, or catching more bad guys? Or that actually enforcing the law (it is the law, correct?) is being too totalitarian? Doesn't anyone else feel that littering, public urination, vandalism and in general, reckless behavior takes away from one's quality of life? And I don't buy into the attitude that this type of crap is just what you get living in the city.

2. The second major criticism is that Broken Windows policing increases the potential for racial profiling by police; and that civil liberties are lost in the process. There is a resident in our neighborhood that is convinced this is the case--so much so that she authored a dissertation referring to Broken Windows as The new slave codes. She so believes that Broken Windows is an excuse for the white-dominated Denver Police Department to increase profiling and harassment that she leafletted our last Cole Neighborhood Meeting with her dissertation, and forcefully interrupted the meeting with a vitriolic indictment of Broken Windows, the Denver Police Department, and even MOP. And, in my opinion, alienated many potential supporters of her point of view that might have been in attendance. Interestingly, after her theatrics at the neighborhood meeting, the issue apparently wasn't important enough for her to attend the following open public meetings--Where residents met with police and were encouraged to share their point of view and recommendations for the program. While I passionately disagree with the author's point of view, her dissertation certainly sums up the civil liberties and racial objections to the Broken Windows theory, and thus is worth reading at least for reference. For additional reference, many of the other articles (and critics in general) I find claiming a loss of civil liberties and an increase in profiling with Broken Windows refer to the Los Angeles Police Department's use of the program.

Am I concerned about racial profiling? Of course, as a caucasian male, likely not as much as a person of color. But I'm more concerned about the current trends in our neighborhood, where the drug dealers and gang bangers if anything seem to be gaining strength, despite very positive progress in terms of redevelopment in Cole. I'm from the school of thought that we have a serious problem in Cole, and especially given the apathy of many residents and their current inexplicable willingness to look the other way when crimes are committed, the police are our only hope for improvement. If people think increased enforcement isn't the solution, I'm all ears to hear an alternative.

The resident mentioned above writes in her article:

On any given day, you can drive down streets in the Cole neighborhood in urban Denver and be a witness to an unofficial version of “broken windows” policing: flashing lights from police cars as motorists are pulled over and their vehicles searched; Black and Latino people standing on sidewalks being frisked and handcuffed; or youth of color lined up to gain entry to the juvenile “community court."

Now, before we jump to the conclusion that the author of this quote clearly is trying to lead us to, let's consider facts here: According to the Piton Foundation, our neighborhood is 92% African American and Hispanic. With such a majority, there's no secret why the majority of traffic stops and police contacts are with blacks and Hispanics--it very likely is simple statistical probability, not necessarily racial profiling. Would we expect to see whites, comprising 8% of Cole's population being pulled over most of the time?

And with that kind of majority, are you beginning to realize how difficult a task it is the DPD faces, increasing enforcement with an overwhelmingly white police force in an overwhelmingly black and Hispanic area?

But Kelling and the Broken Windows proponents are racists, right? I have to present a quote from Mr. Kelling (from the April 1st, 2000 NY Times), that stands in stark contrast to his reputation among many people of color as a proponent or instigator of racial profiling:

"Special units, such as the street crimes unit and anti-drug operations... can be effective tools, but they can also be troublesome and potentially dangerous. While special units have been important ingredients in the Police Department's crime-reduction efforts, they tend to be remote from neighborhoods and communities.

The second issue is police planning. Police increasingly rely on analysis of crime data, mapping and other methods to develop tactics for addressing specific problems. When they discover that guns are the primary instruments of murder in black neighborhoods, is it racial profiling or smart policing to target anti-gun efforts there?

Resolutions to these issues are possible, but not easy. They involve balancing individual rights with community interests, effectiveness with costs, and the tradeoffs among important values. Getting out of the current political mess, however, is the first step. Police and neighborhood leaders will have to seek each other out aggressively and honestly. Then, they can get back to the business of improving policing."

Again, sound a little different than Kelling is portrayed by Broken Windows critics? Do your own homework folks, the information is out there!

Kelling is all about checks and balances to prevent unilateral and excessive police force. Where do those checks come in? Well, in Denver, the police department are proposing (not being forced to implement, it was their idea) an empirical system of surveys to be taken before, during and each year following Broken Windows implementation, to measure not only arrest rates and traditional statistical measures of police effectiveness, but also community satisfaction and feedback.

Afraid that local residents of color will feel harassed and profiled? Well, as long as they stay involved in the community, and participate in these control processes, that will come out in the wash.

Additionally, despite the DPD's somewhat patchy reputation, according to an article in the Denver Post the largely Hispanic residents of the Westwood neighborhood in Denver seemed happy with their tactics and results in implementing the Broken Windows theory there. One Hispanic resident even went so far as to say that "fears that the 'broken windows' policing method could promote racial profiling should be laid to rest." Jesus Espino, a Westwood youth agreed, saying he welcomes more officers in Westwood because now he and his friends can walk without fear. He said that while police officers do sometimes stop him in the street to ask him where he is going and for his identification, "It don't bother me 'cause I don't do nothing wrong."

How did Broken Windows first come to Denver anyway? First, in 1995 mayor John Hickenlooper hired Broken Windows originator Kelling to bring Broken Windows to Denver. According to the Mayor's original press release, Kelling and his group were to provide "observations and recommendations in the following areas":

• The nature of crime in Denver, its patterns and projections for the future
• The strategies of the Denver Police Department in addressing crime and disorder, including crime analysis capabilities
• Organizational issues in the Denver Police Department that impact crime reduction efforts; internal organizational changes to meet those requirements
• Staffing analysis of the resources required for effective crime reduction efforts; internal organizational changes to meet those requirements
• Recommended anti-crime strategies and performance measures for adoption by the Denver Police Department; implementation strategies

So, while critics grossly oversimplify Kelling's contributions to the Denver Police Department down to simply bringing Broken Windows theory here, it seems clear that he and his group were hired as much for organizational development as for policing strategy. While critics also try to pidgeonhole Kelling and Broken Windows as simply aggressive, even militaristic policing, it again doesn't take much research to learn that there is much more to Broken Windows and its implementation, including:

• Increased foot patrols--Get officers out of their cars and out into the community where they are more visible, more approachable, and closer to the communities in which they work.
• Thus, leading to better communication between police and residents. Officers can become more familiar with who the good and bad guys are in a neighborhood.
• Ongoing empirical analysis of the program, including resident feedback and surveys before, during, and after implementation.
• Police and courts working with the community to devise alternate enforcement and punishments for first offenses (other than just handing out tickets) including community service and increased parent accountability for youth offenses.
• Increased accountability on the part of the Police to demonstrate progress and a reduction in crime.

**If this sounds familiar to you, you were likely at the last MOP/DPD meeting where Broken Windows was discussed, as their goal in bringing in the Broken Windows model is as much about increased communication and interaction between the police and community members as it is increased police presence and enforcement. Sound a bit different than what the critics and media are describing?

Additionally, while as I understand it, it was DPD's initiative that brought Broken Windows to the Westwood Neighborhood, it was our community leaders and MOP that contacted the DPD and asked that they expand the program in Cole--So, contrary to popular belief, DPD isn't imposing this on us--They're simply providing assistance upon the request of our neighborhood. If you're going to get mad at someone about Broken Windows, get mad at MOP (though I hope you don't), or get mad at me (many readers of this blog do), but not the DPD.

Do your homework folks, before dismissing this new initiative by the DPD and MOP. If after doing your own research, if you still don't agree with Broken Windows, that's certainly your choice and your right--But at least at that point you'll have an educated opinion, instead of relying on the largely uninformed critics that use scare tactics and propaganda to maintain an atmosphere of distrust with the Denver Police.

Am I saying that all police officers are good guys? Or that the DPD hasn't had its struggles in the past? Nope, they've had their problems; still do I'm sure; but not all of you that are reading this are honest, law-abiding citizens--that's life folks. But I can speak from first-hand experience, and say unequivocally that the police I've come in contact with in district 2--The ones that are going to be implementing Broken Windows AT OUR REQUEST, not forcing it on us, have been consistently responsive, responsible, and infinitely willing to listen to the residents of Cole and their needs. And if some problems occur, I'm confident there are processes in place to help identify them and bring them to light.

If you don't attend the neighborhood meetings and Broken Windows round tables, and the only way you speak out is by complaining and trying to further polarize the community and the police, then you're not a solution to a problem, you're a problem in itself.

And there lies the biggest potential fallacy in Broken Windows--The DPD will be out practicing increasing community involvement, foot patrols, and enforcement, based on the request of a relatively small percentage of Cole's residents. The other residents, the vast, apathetic majority, aren't asking for increased enforcement and accountability among the police; they're not involved in the community meetings or Broken Windows discussions, and as a result will potentially be blind-sided by the "crackdown". And of course, like the current, mis- or un-informed critics, they'll be the first ones to complain to the media about police harassment and profiling.

Thanks for reading. I hope to see you at the next Cole Neighborhood and Broken Windows planning program March 19th at Manual High at 6PM. And I hope you grab two or three of your neighbors as you head out the door.

What we're up against

I mistakenly deleted one of my posts, but didn't want to pass up the opportunity to share some comments made by a fellow "blogger" named Erin Rosa, who in my opinion epitomizes the negative, counterproductive and downright argumentative attitude that many residents unfortunately project towards newer, white residents like my wife and me. While in my book, we're responsible, engaged homeowners, we're portrayed as villains:

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"With all of your inane bragging in response to one of my old blog posts, I somehow got the impression that you actually lived in a bad neighborhood. But Cole? Give me a break. Five points, sure. But not Cole. 42nd? Try 1st or 2nd. In fact, try keeping a shotgun in your closet (knowing full well that the police wouldn't respond to your calls anyway) just in case a crackhead tries to break down your door again. That scenario is certainly real. (Not I. But if it was, would I win anything?!?)What a hard life you must live. It's hilarious. I always get a chuckle at the privileged pseudo-intellectuals who find novelty in their new ethnic surroundings. How do you do it? How do you shoulder such a responsibility as cleaning up such a hoooorible place without condos and lofts? The modern white man's burden, huh?Of course you like gentrification, because you can afford it. Those who can't would gladly take some crime over being homeless anyday. It doesn't take a genius to figure. Good luck on the whole broken windows thing too. I hear it's done wonders for the people living in Capitol Hill. And by wonders I mean pushing the crack dealers and prostitutes a few blocks East."

YAL (Erin Rosa)

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Thanks Erin for sharing your infinite wisdom on neighborhoods with me. Funny how defensive some people get when someone doesn't share their opinion? I simply voiced my support for the Denver Police Department and their efforts in our neighborhood, heaven forbid. I forgot that we're all supposed to hate the police, and to maintain our roles as "victims".

Apparently my neighborhood isn't as bad as I thought--I guess it has been almost three weeks since someone got shot (that I know of). Ms. Rosa, you turned a simple exchange of differing opinions into some sort of contest over whose neighborhood is worse. Interesting!

And then you attack me as a "pseudo intellectual" shouldering the "modern white man's burden" (Why play the race card? Because it's the easy way out for narrow-minded individuals, that's why. And I won't even go down the road about how you think it's OK to talk about my race, when I know you'd be quick to cry bloody murder if I were to have made anywhere near the statements you did except about African Americans or Hispanics). And where do lofts come in? Are you stereotyping that white people like lofts or something? Umm, I own a house. Isn't that almost like racial profiling? Oh, and in your other post, is that some sort of jab at me being a cyclist? So you hate cyclists too? Why so much hostility Erin?

I'm sorry you shoulder so much distrust towards the police department, and against white people, and against cyclists, that you fall into the same trap of generalization and prejudice that you claim the DPD is notorious for, and that you insinuate I possess. You don't even know me, but you're sure quick to judge.

You jump to the conclusion that I'm affluent, when in reality my wife and I work extremely hard for our modest home in this neighborhood, and in all reality likely aren't much better off financially than the folks people like you are afraid are going to be displaced. You don't know to what extent I'm involved in our neighborhood--With the neighborhood association, in helping the residents and kids on my block--But with an attitude like you have, I really don't give a rat's ass what you think anyway.

Because I'm used to it. I've learned that "white people like me" aren't supposed to buy old houses in historically minority populated neighborhoods. We're not supposed to clean up the trash, we're not supposed to get involved in the community, and we're certainly not supposed to speak our minds about crime. But sorry, we're here, we're improving the neighborhood, and we're not going anywhere, so deal with it.

It's attitudes like yours that stand in the way of true progress in neighborhoods like ours. Because it's not about race, it's about the universal right to have a good, safe quality of life in your own neighborhood and home. I don't care what nationality or race my neighbors are, as long as they call the police when they witness crime, keep their home nice, and treat me with the same respect I extend to them.

Oh, and I encourage you to do some reading on gentrification and displacement--As there is plenty of evidence out there that the process of gentrification doesn't necessarily lead to widespread displacement, and on the contrary, often enhances the quality of life and stability of lower income individuals and families. Here, for example.

Well, that's if from this "pseudo intellectual".

Bicycle Racing Coming to North Denver: The Curtis Park Criterium

To my delight both as a North Denver resident and competitive cyclist, I learned this week that the American Cycling Association will be promoting a Curtis Park Criterium on May 28th (Memorial Day) 2007.

To fill the void on the racing calendar left when the Rocky Mountain Cycling Omnium moved to later in the racing season, ACA Representative and long-time Colorado racing advocate Beth Wrenn-Estes stepped in to promote this exciting new race.

But what does this mean to non-cyclists, and in particular, Curtis Park, Five Points and Cole Neighborhood residents? First, it is exciting that so many neighborhood kids and families will be exposed to bike racing... right in Curtis Park! Not only that, but the promoters are looking for a way to provide free bike helmets (to keep) for at-need children that participate in the kids races!

It also means a tremendous influx of people (likely 4-600 total) to our redeveloping neighborhoods who normally wouldn't be exposed to all we have to offer right in Denver's backyard. And while I'm clearly biased towards the cycling community, your average cyclist tends to be affluent, well-educated, and committed to a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle--In other words, just the kind of neighbors we need more of in North Denver. And as such, it's an incredible opportunity for positive exposure for our respective neighborhoods.

For years there has been a race in the Golden Triangle (The Bannock Street Criterium), and from what I've heard, many residents and neighborhood advocates felt it was a tremendous asset in showing the rest of Colorado the progress that neighborhood had made during that time. While on a much grander scale, the long-running Philadelphia International Championship (formerly the Corestates U.S. Pro Championship) also played an integral part of the Manayunk neighborhood's rebirth.

Am I dreaming, or over-estimating the effect an amateur bike race could have on our area? Probably, but nothing would please me more than to see this race become a fixture on the Colorado racing calendar, and an annual showcase for North Denver's regenesis.

I've committed to assisting Ms. Wrenn-Estes and the ACA with this event, and welcome any other local residents or businesses that share my excitement to become similarly involved. If this is you, please post a comment and let me know how to reach you, or contact Ms. Wrenn-Estes directly.

I'll have more information on the race, and potential volunteer and sponsorship opportunities soon, so stay tuned.

And as always, thanks for reading, and caring about North Denver neighborhoods like Cole.