Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has directed increased police patrols, security cameras, controlled access, and contract security guards at a city homeless shelter starting Tuesday following the double homicide death of a couple.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff, our partner organization’s staff, and residents is a top priority,” city spokesman Jose Salas said in a statement.
City officials announced the action plan to improve safety at the former DoubleTree hotel, 4040 N. Quebec St. in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, as police investigated the double homicide Saturday night. A man and a woman were killed in the 300-room building, leased by the city since November for use as a transitional housing shelter, one of several set up as part of Johnston’s initiative to provide housing for homeless people in the city.
No arrests had been made Tuesday morning and Denver police on Monday asked for the public to help in their investigation by calling the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line (720-913-7876) with any information.
Denver Police could not be reached Tuesday morning to provide updates on their investigation.
The former hotel is owned by Rocky Mountain Communities, a nonprofit that provides apartments around the state for low-income residents.
Under the city’s plan for increased security, the city’s senior advisor Cole Chandler “will be taking a hands-on leadership role” at the former hotel “in partnership with the Salvation Army,” city officials said. Denver officials plan to:
— Increase staffing by city employees, housing managers, and contract security guards at the former DoubleTree hotel site
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— Secure all entrances and exits
— Set up a badge system and use photo ID cards for residents and staff to gain access
— Install additional surveillance cameras
— Increase Denver Police Department patrols
— Deploy case managers to conduct weekly check-ins with each resident.
Some of the changes are immediate, city officials said, adding that the security plan is meant to help sustain all of the city’s homeless housing sites.
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