What WE can do NOW

I was thinking more about the comment that came into this site recently claiming that "the best way to fight crime in Cole is to oppose illegal immigration", and thought that I should elaborate on my point that there are many things we can do NOW to fight crime and improve the situation in Cole. Again, I agree that illegal immigration is a HUGE issue right now, and at the root of many of Denver's and society in general's various ills. But I think that ones energies can be much more productive by getting involved in your neighborhood TODAY with something very simple rather than waiting for Washington (or even the Denver State Capitol) to figure that complex issue out.

So, for what it's worth, here are my Action items for anyone living in a gentrifying, redeveloping urban neighborhood like Cole:

1. Get to know your neighbors! No matter how good the police in your area are, they can't watch your block 24/7. Only your neighbors collectively can do that. While I haven't been able to get enough of our block unified to create a neighborhood watch, I know at least 9 of our block households by name. How many of you can say that? Likely not many, because honestly, I wasn't good about doing it myself for over a year here. Do it sooner rather than later. Your neighbors and you might not see eye to eye on some things, but at the bare minimum you should be able to be on good terms with them and look out for each others' properties.


2. Get to know your police officers. Whether it's your neighborhood police officers (We have great ones in Cole, email me for their contact information) that can handle ongoing, chronic issues, the District 2 direct non-emergency number (720.913.1000) or just the Denver non-emergency dispatch line (720.913.2000) we've got a tremendous asset in terms of a police force that is active, approachable, and willing to assist residents with the issues that are important to them (us).


3. Befriend your neighborhood kids. It's a shame, but 99% of the crap that happens in our neighborhood I think is perpetrated by kids; in particular graffiti, vandalism, and just the stuff that kids do (as I did) like throwing rocks through windows and stuff. If they're not doing it, they probably know who is. Not only are you selfishly building relationships that could potentially again protect your "stuff", many of these kids unfortunately clearly don't have a supportive, loving home environment. Just saying hi to them by name, being friendly, and pumping up their football when they need it is making a positive contribution to their lives and to your block.


4. Clean up your block! If you wait for your neighbors to clean up their portion of the street, your block will always be dirty. I know it sucks picking up others' trash, but it's part of living in the city I've come to understand. And I don't care what the civil libertarians say, I've seen first-hand that if you pick up trash on your block, it sets a positive example for your neighbors and others in the area--Others will be less likely to throw trash, and less likely to commit more serious crimes simply because it's clear someone cares about and is watching over your block. I've seen it make a difference first-hand. Will it entirely fix the problem? Of course not. But it all helps.


5. Same thing with Graffiti. Contact Cole-Whittier Against Crime for dumpster paint or worst case scenario report the graffiti to the City of Denver and get that crap covered up as soon as you see it. Again, if you leave that crap up, the losers that put it there will learn which block they can do the deed without getting caught, or on which blocks they can tag where it stays up the longest.


6. Get involved with your neighborhood in a more global sense. (Here's where I've fallen short as of late due to a hectic home/work schedule and an unexplained apathy relative to "meetings") Participate in your local neighborhood association, crime prevention group, or neighborhood watch meetings. Cole and Whittier each have active neighborhood associations (http://whittierneighborhood.org/, Cole doesn't have a website yet that I know of) and of course there is Cole-Whittier Against Crime. There's no doubt we have to get more involved to ensure the success of our neighborhood than the average suburbanite--But I think that's a good thing.
7. Keep your eyes open and don't be afraid to call the city. See someone selling crack up the street? Call the police. Abandoned house becoming a nuisance, or just overgrown with weeds? Call neighborhood inspection services. Or, as C-WAC writes today, notice that your corner store is catering to the bad guys by selling crack pipes? Talk to them about it, or call your neighborhood police officer to get their take and/or assistance.

But more than anything, do what you can, even if it's just one of the above points. The recent positive changes in this area aren't happening by accident--They're due to a growing number of engaged residents, and allies at the police and city, that are working hard to forge the future in Cole. If we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem.