Dear Denver Resident -
As Mayor, I'm charged with ensuring the health and safety of our City as a whole, and this week Denver takes another step toward achieving this goal. Working with Denver businesses, neighborhoods and community partners, we have undertaken several methods to inform the public about a new law that goes into effect, which prohibits camping on public and private property without written authorization.
This new ordinance provides the City with additional tools to continue Denver's compassionate work of connecting vulnerable populations with key services while maintaining the integrity of our vibrant City.
In Denver, everyone matters, and my administration is committed to delivering on that promise by making sure public and private spaces remain accessible and livable, and that everyone has access to needed resources to lead sustainable lives.
Our number one priority for applying this new law is to ensure it is implemented in a balanced manner and paired with comprehensive services. Connecting those in need of services to appropriate service providers will be a major part of this process. That is why we developed the CAM system:
· Contact – Denver Police Department officers will make contact with those who are camping without authorization.
· Assess – The outreach workers assess campers and their circumstances.
· Mobilize – Appropriate service providers, organizations or individuals are contacted to assist.
Through the collaborative work of Human Services, Denver's Road Home and Denver Police Department, the CAM system will help ensure we are connecting people with specific services to address a variety people and groups; like travelers, protesters, women and children, those with mental illnesses and those with drug addictions.
My administration has been hard at work preparing for this new ordinance. The Police Department has developed a training bulletin for officers, we have created a real-time shelter update system, and we have extended contracts and waived provisions to keep shelters open. We also have been working with new and existing service providers to bolster comprehensive services for anyone in need. This includes securing commitments for funding of two additional outreach workers. And we are not done yet.
Denver is a great city because we are compassionate and collaborative. While we are working hard to provide quality services, we cannot do this alone. That is why we are asking the greater community to help by:
· Distributing the attached flyer to those in need;
· Emailing this letter to five friends and post it to your Facebook;
· Donating $5, $10 or $25 to Denver's Road Home; and
· Attending one of Denver's Road Home annual events.
Now, more than ever, we need the community to come together to support our vibrant city and help us rebuild the lives of those who are most in need. Together, we will deliver a world-class city where everyone matters.
Respectfully,
Michael B. Hancock
Mayor
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