To address ‘immediate health and safety concerns’ in Denver, new coalition aims to hire more police [Video]

DENVER — The first conversation of a three-part series on safety in downtown Denver took place at the Buell Public Media center Wednesday, Feb. 8, with city leaders touting a new coalition designed to improve the quality of life in downtown Denver. 

The group is called the Downtown Action Partners and is comprised of: The Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP); Mayor Michael B. Hancock and the City and County of Denver; the Department of Public Safety, including the Denver Police Department, the Denver Fire Department and the Denver Sheriff’s Office; the Regional Transportation District; and the District and U.S. Attorney’s offices.

A focus on public safety and law enforcement

The efforts to reach the coalition’s goal of addressing “both immediate health and safety concerns in the center city while targeting root problems and long-term solutions” include hiring nearly 200 more police officers over the course of 2023.

Only time will tell how, or if, these expenditures will improve public …