General Membership Meeting
March 21, 2007
MINUTES
1. Technician Rapp from the Denver Police Department talked about graffiti. He said if the graffiti is easily read, then it's probably gang graffiti. If it's cursive or artistic looking, then it is probably taggers. Police sometimes catch them in the act in the middle of the night. If you see graffiti, take a picture of it and report it to the police. You can do this at a police station, a cop shop, or online at denvergov.org. The city can't make a property owner paint over graffiti. Property owners can give the city permission to do this.
2. Rick Kile from the Denver Police Department gave an introduction to Broken Windows. They have studies statistics to see what areas of the city need additional attention. Cole and Whittier neighborhoods were selected for the program. They are developing a survey for citizens to fill out. Denvergov website now has crime stats posted monthly. For Jan-Feb 2007, Whittier's overall rate dropped by 50% compared to a year ago. If you see something that doesn't seem right, call DPD. You don't have to leave your name or address, but it's good to at least leave them a phone number so then call if they have any questions about what you saw. Setting up a neighborhood watch is always a good idea. Now that it's warm out, be sure to keep your garage and house locked, and don't leave stuff in your car.
3. Donna Borrego from Denver Partners Against Graffiti spoke about what the city is doing to combat graffiti. It is illegal for youth to buy etching acid, markers, and spray paint. There is an ordinance that you have to remove graffiti from your property within 10 days. The city will provide people with dumpster paint, graffiti scrubs for poles and signs, and federal green spray paint. You can sign up to adopt-a-spot and they will get the supplies to you. They also have a paint bank of six standard colors. You can get free, one gallon cans of any of these colors to use on your house or garage. The goal is to remove graffiti as quickly as possible. It may take a few times, but eventually they will give up on that spot. The city's graffiti task force has come up with recommendations. One is the possibility of the city not doing any private property clean up. Denvergov.org/graffiti is the place to go for more information. If you would like to give the city permission to remove graffiti from your property, the forms are available online. When you report graffiti on public property, using an intersection is fine. If you report graffiti on private property, include an address.
4. Roger Cobb introduced himself. He said that the San Rafael neighborhood would like the parking garage at the Children's Hospital site torn down. He invited Whittier residents to attend the next San Rafael meeting to talk about it.
5. Brief Announcements: Kiva is having their grand opening celebration on April 21st. Northeast Community Congress for Education meets every Monday night at 6:30PM at Blair Caldwell Library. Manual is having a meet and greet for the new principal on April 4th at 5:00PM. Sharon Bailey, a city council candidate for District 8, introduced herself.