May 15, 2012 – Denver’s Animal Care & Control, Parks and Recreation, and Denver Police are teaming up to help ensure the safety of people and pets in city parks this summer.  As part of this effort, the city will increase park patrols and enforcement of dog off-leash violations beginning June 1.

 “There have been several attacks lately by off-leash dogs, and this has been an ongoing issue in many of our parks for years,” says Doug Linkhart, Manager of Environmental Health, Animal Care & Control. “The city has put a lot of effort into increasing dog parks, and we’d like to encourage people to use them.”

 “At this time of year when we see more and more people taking advantage of Denver’s great park spaces, our responsibility to keep the parks safe for all citizens by enforcing these leash laws is something we take very seriously,” said Lauri Dannemiller, Manager of Denver Parks.

 As part of the stepped up enforcement, residents are encouraged to report specific problem areas to animalcomments@denvergov.org, or by calling 311.

Denver city ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash and under control of their owner at all times. The city’s leash laws are intended to protect the health and safety of both the people and pets that enjoy visiting Denver’s many parks and open areas.

 In 2009, the Parks and Recreation undertook a comprehensive effort to gather input about the need for off-leash dog areas. As a result, Parks & Recreation implemented a Dog Park Master Plan. The city now hasten dog parks for dog owners to safely and legally enjoy, including:

• Berkeley Dog Park – Sheridan and West 46th
• Barnum Dog Park – Hooker and West 5th
• Kennedy Dog Park – Hampden and South Dayton
• Josephine Dog Park – Josephine and 16th Avenue 
• Fuller Dog Park – Franklin and East 29th
• Green Valley Ranch East Dog Park – Jebel and East 45th
• Stapleton – East 24th Avenue and Syracuse Street
• Railyard Dog Park – 19th Avenue and Little Raven Street
• Lowry Dog Park - East 4th Place and South Yosemite Way
• Parkfield Dog Park – 53^rd Ave and Chambers Road

The fine for having an off-leash dog is $80 for the first offense, $150 for the second and $300 for the third.

For more information about Denver’s leash law, visit www.denveranimalshelter.org. To view locations of Denver’s dog parks, visit Denver Parks and Recreation.

 

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DENVER, CO – April 4, 2012 – From April 6, 2012 through September 30, 2012, Denver Safe City diversion officers and Denver police officers will team-up to run the Denver SafeNite Program. The program offers court diversion opportunities for youth 17 years of age and younger while police actively enforce Denver’s Curfew Ordinance.

“We have an obligation to address the needs of our children and provide them with the best services and the safest neighborhoods possible,” said Mayor Hancock. “As a City we know our responsibility lies on the outside of that school door where we must help to provide excellent programs that create a positive environment for all Denver’s children.”

Denver’s Curfew Ordinance prohibits youth from being in a public place or on public property from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, unless:

 

• The minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (an adult friend does not qualify as a legal guardian)
• The minor is accompanied by an adult (18 or older) AND that adult is in possession of written permission from the parent or legal guardian
• The minor is in a motor vehicle being used in INTERSTATE travel
• The minor is working, traveling to work, or returning from work WITHOUT any detour stop

 

Youth that break curfew during the active enforcement period of April through September are transported to the Curfew Center housed at the District 1 police station at 1311 W. 46^th Avenue. Their parents are contacted and a citation is issued.

“While it is our duty to enforce the city’s curfew ordinance, we also care about the safety of the city’s youth,” said Chief of Police Robert White. “We want to send a clear message about the city’s reasonable curfew expectations and help kids avoid a citation for being on the streets when they really shouldn’t be.”

Youth cited for a first time municipal ordinance violation are given the option of participating in a diversion program as an alternative to entering the court system. If the option is accepted by the youth and his/her parent(s), a customized diversion plan is developed based on an individual assessment. Once the plan is successfully completed, the case is dismissed without a court appearance.

“Programs that promote youth safety and reduce the number of youth that enter the legal system are vital to the strength of our communities,” said Manager of Safety Alex Martinez. “Diversion options increase collaboration between parents and government and can lead to lesser consequences that still provide corrective behavior, when needed.”

The Denver SafeNite Program was implemented in 1994 and is a joint effort between the Denver Police Department and the Denver Safe City Office, both of which reside in the Department of Safety.

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Street Sweeping Has Started !!!

 

Street sweeping has started in our neighborhoods.  Avoid a very costly parking ticket by signing up for a reminder here. Find your street sweeping schedule by checking your sign on your block.  Calendar reminders can be obtained at http://www.denvergov.org/Reminders/CalendarStickers/tabid/441006/Default.aspx

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More Redistricting Maps 

o   be as compact as possible;

o   contain contiguous land area;

o   contain whole election precincts; and

o   have boundaries established by ordinance.

In order to comply with the Charter, Denver City Council must adopt an ordinance establishing new council district boundaries by the end of April, 2012.  The tentative timeline for the process may be modified in part, but a new map must be adopted by the end of April 2012.  The new map will be effective for purposes of the 2015 municipal election.
Please respond by e-mail to  redistricting@denvergov.org and copy Jeanne Robb at jeanne.robb@denvergov.og.   The Council public hearing will be held on April 23^rd