Subject: Denver Police Department

• No Tell Hotel

  January 16, 2007

• Caption contest! Caption contest!

  June 21, 2007

• Left Behind: Unintelligible Scribblings

  August 14, 2007

• The Vagabond Painting Tribe Strikes Again

  December 18, 2007

• An Update on Denver Police Department Media Releases

  February 25, 2008

• Seventies-era Denver Police video shows racist, homophobic and sexist training practices

  August 22, 2008

• Seventies-era Denver Police video shows racist, homophobic and sexist training practices

  August 22, 2008

• Denver cops' new ride -- pedicabs?

  August 26, 2008

• Denver cops' new ride -- pedicabs?

  August 27, 2008

• Denver Police's allegedly faster reporting system hits a snag

  September 12, 2008

• Denver Police's "BEAT the crowds" shirt riles up Re-create 68

  September 25, 2008

• Teen bites cop. Cop saps teen. Teen sues cop. Denver cops should sap the sap.

  October 2, 2008

• Mile High Murder, No. 8: At Bruce Randolph Avenue and York Street

  View Larger Map What a lethal four-day stretch in Denver. Friday brought word of a fatal shooting at the El Chapparal night club. With Saturday came news of a homicide on the 3100 block of North Franklin. On Sunday, we learned about a body found in a field at Arizona Avenue and Pecos Street. And now, the Denver Police Department says that it responded to an 8 a.m. call about a shooting at the intersection of Bruce Randolph Avenue and York Street, the area captured in the graphic above (if you h

  June 1, 2009

• More complaints about new Denver Police Department reporting system

  In the February Message column "Denver Police Reports Harder to Get Under New System," representatives of the Denver Police Department insisted that the approach to digitizing incident reports, as opposed to making copies available in a press room, would be more useful and convenient for media and law enforcement alike. But plenty of reporters disagree. "Readers Kept in Dark?," a piece by reporter Peter Marcus that appears in today's Denver Daily News, notes that shortly after the Democratic Nat

  November 24, 2008

• Backwash

  February 14, 2002

• Best Bet for Adults With DPD Spy Files

  April 4, 2002

• Denver police look clueless in 9News identity-theft reports

  Denver Police Department spokesman Sonny Jackson probably cringes every time he gets a phone call from Channel 9 reporter Deborah Sherman. Twice in recent days, questions she's posed to him related to an identity-theft story have made him, and the DPD as a whole, seem like Keystone cops. The tale began when Denver resident Brandon Michael purchased the contents of a storage unit at auction, only to discover that these items included hundreds of passports, birth certificates, driver's licenses

  February 4, 2009

• Off Limits

  January 23, 2003

• Mile High Murder, No. 6: Homicide on the 3100 block of North Franklin

  View Larger Map The 3100 block of North Franklin, captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), looks pleasant, bucolic even. However, something bad, very bad, has happened there. The Denver Police Department responded to a call at 5:30 a.m. today, and upon their arrival, they found a dead man with bullet holes in him. At this point, the DPD isn't issuing much more information than that -- but what they've released is on view after the jump:

  May 30, 2009

• Best Way to Report a Crime

  March 27, 2003

• The Gangs All Here

  June 3, 2004

• Mile High Murder, No. 7: Body found in field at Arizona Avenue and Pecos Street

  View Larger Map It's turning out to be an unfortunately lethal weekend in the Mile High City. Early yesterday, a dead man with gunshot wounds was found at the 3100 block of North Franklin. Then, just after 3 a.m. this morning, the Denver Police Department responded to a report of another body, this time in the field at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Pecos Street captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). Yes, it's another example of g

  May 31, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 10: Charges dropped against Dawn Marie Gonzales in Burger King hit and run

  View Larger Map What a quick turnaround. This weekend, the Denver Police Department released information about a hit-and-run that killed Lillian Verdonkschot, 49, near the Burger King at 6th Avenue and Broadway, the area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). The report said Dawn Marie Gonzales, 23, was being held in Denver Jail for investigation of first-degree murder. Moments ago, however, the DPD issued a new release, this time stating

  June 1, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 5: The belated release about the El Chapparal shooting

  View Larger Map You can always count on the Denver Police Department's communication department to communicate slowly, if at all. Finally, the DPD has put out a release on the shooting that took place just before 1 a.m. last night at the El Chapparal night club, 2727 W. 6th Avenue, captured in the graphic above (if you have trouble seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). Read it after the jump.

  May 29, 2009

• Last But Not Yeast

  The DPD's binge-and-purge problem continues.

  September 19, 2002

• Why Spy?

  The DPD has a binge-and-purge problem.

  September 5, 2002

• Cinco de Mayo 2009: Good luck crossing Federal this weekend

  A Flickr photo Your calendar may tell you that May 5th has already happened -- but your calendar is lying to you. This weekend will mark the real Cinco de Mayo celebration, with much of the activity taking place, as usual, on Federal Boulevard. The Denver Police Department has a three-part plan to deal with the automotive parade that will take place there. Eyeball it by clicking "Continue."

  May 8, 2009

• Colorado Crimes: Kids do the darnedest things -- like bringing incendiary devices to the airport

  A Flickr photoDon't get any ideas, kid... Kids: They grow up so fast. One minute, they're crawling on the floor, trying to eat furballs the cat just spat up -- and the next, they're being detained for being in possession of an incendiary device at an airport. Whose personnel frown on that sort of thing. According to the Denver Police Department, a twelve-year old tried to take the aforementioned doodad through security at Denver International Airport early this morning. A TSA screener who didn

  May 27, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 14: Fatal stabbing on West 46th Avenue

  View Larger Map An early morning fight resulted in the death of a man found at 1232 West 46th Avenue, a locale captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). The Denver Police Department has a description of a possible suspect, but neither he nor the victim has been identified at this writing. Read the official account below:

  June 9, 2009

• Colorado Crimes: Sex-crimes unit seeks man doing... something

  One of the basic rules of press releases is that they represent a release of information to the press, right? But one of the latest missives to issue from the Denver Police Department keeps info divulging to a minimum, offering a reward for information leading to the capture of a so-called "pattern offender" being sought by the sex-crimes unit. But what exactly were these pattern offenses, which reportedly took place in an area bordered by 1st Avenue, York Street, 13th Avenue and Speer Bouleva

  June 16, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 5: Warrant issued for Herber Santiago Godoy in slaying of Alfred Gonzales

  Herber Santiago Godoy. Following the May 29 murder of a security guard at the El Chapparal night club, 2727 W. 6th Avenue, the Denver Police Department arrested and later released a suspect named David Cano-Rivera. However, the DPD continues to seek another person in relation to the crime -- although the department is now spelling his name, and the name of the victim, differently. The guard, previously identified as Alfredo Gonzalez-Ramos, is called Alfred Gonzales in the latest release, and th

  June 16, 2009

• Colorado Crimes: Sex-crimes unit belatedly describes M.O. of "pattern offender"

  A composite sketch of a suspect in several Denver-area groping incidents. In a blog published yesterday morning, I noted that the Denver Police Department's sex-crimes unit had put out an alert about a "pattern offender" -- but the notice contained no description of the actual offenses. Perhaps that's unsurprising given the DPD's rather haphazard approach to information dispersal. Typical was a release issued last night about a May 29 murder in which the names of both the suspect and the victim

  June 17, 2009

• HALO surveillance cameras: Denver Police like to watch

  A Denver Police HALO camera downtown at 14th and Curtis This summer, the Denver Police Department is planning on moving its mobile HALO surveillance cameras to a high-crime neighborhood near you. Read about our trip inside the HALO control center and click here to check out a slideshow of some of the cameras in their natural environment.

  June 18, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 18: Homicide at 12565 E. Albrook Drive

  View Larger Map The Denver Police Department is investigating shootings at 12565 E. Albrook Drive, in an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). Officers arrived at the scene around 1 a.m. to find two men suffering from gunshot wounds; one died, while the other is in critical condition as of the last report. Below, find the official DPD release on the incident:

  June 21, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 19: Death at 4914 North Enid Way

  View Larger Map Weekends and evenings tend to spawn more violence than weekday mornings -- but today was an unfortunate exception. Just past 9 a.m. today, Denver Police arrived at 4914 North Enid Way, a residence captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), to find two gravely wounded individuals: one female, one male. The woman subsequently died, while the man is in critical condition as of a report just issued by the DPD. The names of both ar

  June 23, 2009

• Mile High Murder, Nos. 20 and 21: Juveniles arrested in slayings of Christian Hernandez and Eduardo Sanchez

  View Larger Map The Denver Police Department has released information about arrests in the slayings of Christian Hernandez and Eduardo Sanchez, who died from their injuries during a June 22 double shooting at the Glen Apartments, 9600 E. Girard, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). Late last night, two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, but because they're juveniles, no information about their identity has

  June 24, 2009

• Hector Esparza identified as man who died in officer-involved shooting at 4503 Fillmore Street

  View Larger Map Early this morning, Denver Police officers responded to a disturbance call at 4503 Fillmore Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). According to the DPD, the man, who's just been identified by the Denver Coroner's Office as Hector Esparza, 25, charged police, who responded by opening fire. Esparza died of his wounds shortly thereafter. Read the DPD and DCO releases after the jump.

  July 2, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 24: Another July 4 homicide -- this one at 14954 East Elk Place in Montbello

  View Larger Map Most of us were able to celebrate Independence Day without capping each other -- but not everyone. Earlier today, we told you about a slaying late yesterday on the 1700 block of Billings Street in Aurora. Now comes word from the Denver Police Department about an exchange of gunfire that resulted in one death -- this one taking place at 14954 East Elk Place, in an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). At the time of t

  July 5, 2009

• The Denver Police Department is Twitter-pated

  In the recent past, the Denver Police Department's public-information office hasn't exactly earned a reputation for rapid responses when it comes to either press inquiries or the issuing of news releases. But while the DPD's embrace of electronic communication when it comes to police reports has actually made it more difficult (and more expensive) to get information, its use of another relatively new technological whiz-bang -- Twitter -- is actually providing the media and the public with a he

  July 6, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 24: A kidnapping in Denver, a body in Commerce City

  View Larger Map (Trouble viewing this map? Click "View Larger Map") Perhaps they were trying to pin it on Ani DiFranco? The Denver Police is investigating a kidnapping/murder at 3602 North Leyden, which they've connected to a body dumped in Commerce City -- where the police were busy enough this weekend arresting drunks and ticket scalpers at the Mile High Music Festival. Little information has been released, but police said in a statement that "the victim knew his assailants and that they t

  July 20, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 33: Rueben Payan-Sigala looks shocked to be busted regarding a homicide at 3240 W. Alameda

  Rueben Payan-Sigala.​This is one of those a-picture's-worth-a-thousand-words moments. Which is nice, because I'll be able to cut back on typing. According to the Denver Police Department, officers responded to an August 9 report of a stabbing at 3240 W. Alameda. A wounded man found there later died of his injuries -- and the following day, cops arrested 28-year-old Rueben Payan-Sigala for investigation of first-degree murder. He doesn't look happy about it. Look below to see the area whe

  August 12, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 31: A first look at Charles Garlick, held in the killing of James Foos

  Charles Garlick.​Early on August 5, Denver police found a body in an alley near 14th and Ogden that was subsequently identified as James Foos, 48. In short order, Charles Garlick, 26, was taken into custody on investigation of first-degree murder. A mug shot wasn't immediately made public -- but now, the DPD has released the shot seen here. Don't let small children see it, or they'll likely wake up crying in the dead of night. Look below to eyeball a graphic of the area where the crime too

  August 14, 2009

• Denver Police Department just discovers it's on Twitter

  ​Members of the local media are seldom effusive about the timeliness and responsiveness of the Denver Police Department's public-information office -- and a release issued today exemplifies its effectiveness. or lack thereof. "The Denver Police Department would like the community to know they can now follow the DPD on Twitter," the document announces. But then, a sentence later, the item adds that the department has been employing the service for two months. Indeed, we published a blog abo

  August 17, 2009

• The top five items Denver thieves want to steal from your car

  You've got? They want.​According to the Denver Police Department, theft from motor vehicles is up 32 percent this year. With that in mind, DPD reps suggest a number of seemingly obvious steps locals can use to avoid becoming a snatch-and-grab victim: lock the car, don't leave the keys in it, park it in well-lit areas at night and don't leave cool stuff passersby might like in view. The top five are:

  August 18, 2009

• Suspicious death at 8th Avenue and Navajo Street

  View Larger Map Deaths identified as suspicious by law-enforcement officials don't always prove to be so after further investigation. But I'm going to edge out onto a limb and say this description will prove to be accurate as applied to an investigation centered on the intersection of 8th Avenue and Navajo Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). After all, a woman's body was discovered in the trunk of a car last night -- a

  September 3, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 42: Homicide at 3042 Humboldt Street

  View Larger Map Here's a development sure to freak out residents living in the vicinity of 3042 Humboldt Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). Early this morning, the Denver Police Department responded to a burglary call at the address -- and they soon discovered the body of a 47-year-old woman. She's yet to be identified, pending notification of next of kin. Look below to read the DPD release.

  October 8, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 44: Multiple shots kill man at 1150 N. Syracuse Street

  View Larger Map On Friday evening, shots rang out at 1150 N. Syracuse Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"). When Denver Police arrived, they discovered a dead man with multiple gunshot wounds. It won't surprise you to learn that the DPD thinks a homicide took place -- but they're not saying much else at this point. Check out the original release below:

  October 19, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 45: Death in Chopsticks & Sushi Restaurant on the 16th Street Mall

  An image from the Chopsticks & Sushi Restaurant website.​When does the media give big play to a murder of an unknown individual? Like real estate, it's all about location, location, location -- but timing is a factor, too, as proven by the coverage of yesterday afternoon's shooting at Chopsticks & Sushi Restaurant, 1630 Welton Street, on the 16th Street Mall. Because the killing took place at just past 3:30 p.m., two blocks of the busy area had to be closed to traffic for hours, turning th

  October 23, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 45: Chopsticks & Sushi owner Yan De Yang arrested in restaurant shooting

  Yan De Yang, owner of Chopsticks & Sushi. This isn't a promotional photo.​The murder at Chopsticks & Sushi Restaurant, which caused hours' worth of traffic closures yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of the 16th Street Mall, was startling enough. But try on this development for size: The Denver Police Department has announced that Chopsticks' owner, Yan De Yang, 40, has been arrested for investigation of first-degree murder. The DPD is continuing to look into the case, but they say no one

  October 23, 2009

• Mile High Murder, No. 50: Dead woman found at 1873 S. Clermont Street

  View Larger MapOur Mile High Murder project, started on May 17, reaches the unfortunate half-century mark in fewer than six months as result of word about Denver's latest homicide. Early this morning, the Denver Police Department responded to a home at 1873 S. Clermont Street, an area captured in the graphic above (if you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map"), to find a woman dead of apparent stab wounds, as well as a still-breathing man suffering from "apparent sharp force in

  November 6, 2009