Capitol Hill is one of the most violent areas in Denver. In general, the rate of violent crime in the neighborhood decreases in winter. However, a deadly shooting last Wednesday night highlights the fact that Capitol Hill is becoming a more violent place.
According to a Statement from the Denver Police Department, Near East Colfax and Clarkson Street. An adult male died on the spot. The medical examiner’s Denver office has not yet released the victim’s ID and has not been able to confirm the cause of death. Denver Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
Violent crime on Capitol Hill
Violent crime on Capitol Hill has increased over the past five years. It increased from 86 in 2017 to 129 in 2021, an increase of 8.45% per year. August 2021 was the most violent month in the area, with 18 incidents of violent crime.
According to Denver Police Chief Paul Pajen, the department is receiving 4% more calls at a time when the department is struggling with a massive shortage of police officers. The department has a shortage of 170 officers, or 10% of the general officers. This has greatly increased the time of emergency response.
According to the Neighborhood Scout, there are just under 9 violent crimes per 1,000 people in Denver. The city experiences more than 6,300 violent crimes a year. Violent crime in Denver is so high that only 2% of American cities have higher levels of violent crime than urban areas.
Denver’s violent crime statistics are higher than those of ordinary American cities, for all major categories of violent crime: murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Denver is twice as likely to be murdered as a typical U.S. city, and more than twice as likely to be raped, robbed or assaulted there.
Under-Staff Police Department
The wave of violent crime has worried some lawyers that under public pressure the under-staffed police department may make the mistake of indicting suspects for violent crime. A violent crime attorney stressed the importance of refraining from knee-jerking assumptions about crime.
Violent crime usually decreases in early winter in October, with the average half of summer remaining until March. However, no signs of recession were found in the winter of 2021-2022. Last week’s deadly shooting brought the number of violent crimes this winter to 64, up from 42 in 2018.
It is likely that fewer police officers have encouraged more violent criminals to act, as well as allowed violent crimes to continue which were previously prevented.
