Bar Disturbances

[robh]

One suggestion for those property homeowners near the businesses that seem to be the source of the biggest late night concern would be to collectively raise funds and hire an off duty police officer to patrol the area between midnight and 3 am on Friday and Saturday nights. This is an approach used by many neighborhoods, gated communities and HOAs to provide a set of eyes after dark. As the economy forces Denver to curtail services, the level of on-duty police presence will be negatively impacted. The best deterrent for late night nefarious activity is a visible, uniformed officer. If the officer made numerous arrests and/or citations over the course of the summer season, SCPNA would then have much more data to go to the City and the businesses with and find a long-term solution. The HOA at The Pinnacle was prepared to take this route when it appeared that Tent State was going to bring thousands of people to City Park without a plan for overnight accommodations for the DNC.

[Tom Rutter 2006]

Thanks to Rob for initiating this topic. The May20th SCPNA meeting heard from a number of Milwaukee St. residents that "Disturbances" from the Rockbar are growing problem, similar to those voiced by residents living near the BlueBird Theater.
Neighbors hiring their own private Police Officers is indeed an interesting, and probably effective, suggestion. I will pass the suggestion on to my Milwaukee neighbors.

Meanwhile several other suggestions were made at the May 20th SCPNA meeting that may prove helpful.
1. Based on the excellent address by the District Two Police Officer, even though police services are increasingly under economic limits, Police will (and must) respond to Citizen complaints re: Bar Disturbances(and other issues.) If reported promptly and correctly, these disturbances will appear in the police official records and may be useful in encouraging Bar Owners' help in addressing problems emanating from their establishments's. It was suggested that this information should be posted here asap.
I am offering my help to the SCPNA officers to assist in summarizing and disseminating the information we were given--in a complete, yet simple and 'user friendly' wayto all South City Park residents.
2. Existing Legal Agreements already exist between SCPNA and various Colfax Bar owners. including the Rockbar, the BlueBird Theater, the Atomic Cowboy and Cafe Star (now Stellas). Many residents at the SCPNA meeting seemed unaware of the existence of these legal Agreements, as did some new SCPNA officers. These Agreements are powerful tools which we already have to address the growing Bar Disturbances we're experiencing, and should be used. For example, every Liquor License in Denver is subject to annual renewal. A Bar Owners adherence to Agreements made with neighborhoods can be considerations when Excise and License decides whether or not to renew the License, as will complaints properly reported and logged with the Denver Police Department.
It was suggested that all such Agreements between SCPNA and Colfax Bar owners be posted and linked on this Website iasap. I believe the SCPNA officers present Wednesday nite agreed to do this. I am offering I disagreeistance in accomplishing this as quickly as possible.

Tom Rutter