DENVER – Mayor Mike Johnston during a press conference on Wednesday announced the city will create a 10-officer unit in downtown Denver along with increased services as part of an overall 'Safe Downtown Action Plan' to address public safety concerns.
“As part of this new downtown unit, we'll have 10 officers that will be dedicated just to downtown that'll include foot patrol, it'll include bike patrol, it'll include motorcycle patrol,” said Johnston.
Along with the “new dedicated downtown police unit”, Johnston announced Denver police horse patrols will also have a permanent home in downtown.
“To both add safety and activities for kids who love to come and pet the horses,” said Johnston. “We will add 10 extra foot patrols a day, which are just more officers who will be out on the streets – walking and talking and be available for people that have questions, thoughts and concerns.”
Among these beefed up patrols, the Downtown Denver Partnership will provide five private security officers to “add more presence in and around the downtown areas so that folks feel safe and secure at all times of day or night,” added Johnston.
Additional park ranger shifts are expected, according to the City.
In announcing the added police presence and efforts around enhanced overall public safety in downtown Denver, Mayor Johnston cited a “three-legged” approach with a focus on economic development, services and accountability.
“There is no safer street than an active street,” said Johnston. “To get public safety right, you have to, one, focus on economic development which provides the kind of activation and vibrance that both gives people jobs and opportunity,”In terms of services and support, the City pointed to a partnership with Denver Health that will make available bike paramedics that will be “on call for folks that need services” which will include support for people who are struggling with addiction or need mental health support.
During Wednesday’s press conference, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas announced an addition of two motorcycles to the fleet.
“Which was 18, it’s now 20. Then an additional 8 bicycles to our two officer bicycle units. So, now a total of 10 expanded officers in that particular unit,” said Chief Thomas.
“The question is ‘why are we doing this?' — In 2024, we did see some measurable reductions in crime in this area, however in 2025 we did unfortunately see a significant spike highlighted by the deadly stabbings that occurred in January on the 16th Street Mall.
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Suspect in 16th Street Mall stabbing threatened man with knife in 2021: Records
Three people were stabbed in January in apparent random attacks on the 16th Street Mall with a fourth victim stabbed near Union Station.
Two of the victims died and the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Elijah Caudill, was arrested.
Denver7 Investigates dug into Caudill’s background and learned he was previously accused of several crimes, including threats against an Adams County property manager in 2021 in which Caudill allegedly said he would "cut [his]... throat," according to an arrest affidavit.
Addressing the public shortly after the January attacks, Johnston said despite a recent 23% reduction in homicides and a 55% decline in drug-related offenses, his administration continued to focus on improving public safety downtown
The stabbings brought renewed attention to public safety in downtown Denver.
Chief Thomas said the department has seen a “return to that reduction in crime” but added DPD needed to “do a better job making sure that perception matches reality.”
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Also at Wednesday's press conference, a business owner along the 16th Street Mall, talked about what he has experienced in downtown Denver.
“In 2014 I bought SportsFan from the original owner, and since then, I have spent countless hours on 16th Street and in downtown Denver,” said Derek Friedman, owner. “There's not an hour or a day that I have not been present, wandering, doing deliveries – every hour of day and night.”
He said safety in downtown seemed “pretty normal” until 2019.
"Exactly what we need."
"I saw and experienced a totally different environment. We suffered from a massive increase in theft. I boarded up my stores during the riots, I cleaned up my stores after looting, and I consoled employees who had been personally threatened,” said Friedman. “I even spent the entire nights – several nights – in the back of my stores in an attempt to protect them.”
Then in 2022, Friedman added “a crime spike free” which added a 1 percent fee to every translation. That additional fee was cancelled at the end of March. “It didn’t end because I thought that crime in Denver had stopped – I ended it because things had started to look and feel normal.”
On the added DPD security presence in downtown, Friedman said "it's exactly what we need."
Denver7 reporter Veronica Acosta spoke with residents including Sue Townsend, who has lived in downtown Denver for over a decade and said she was excited to make the move after retiring.
"We found this fabulous place in the Spire Building, which we love, and within three weeks — decided we were going to move at that time," said Townsend.
She told Denver7 she saw downtown as a "very exciting happening place to be" and enjoyed access to the bike and jogging paths before also noticing changes around 2019.
"As the city was growing, maybe there was a little bit more crime visible or homelessness, but during COVID and with the increase in encampments and the sort of desolation of downtown, it began feeling less safe," said Townsend. "I had a couple of experiences where I was either accosted on the street, or somebody came up to me and started just walking along with me and talking very excitedly, or seemed to have mental health issues."
Following the pandemic, the closure of businesses in and construction on the 16th Street Mall, Townsend said her experiences in downtown "really made it seem not as much fun."
Despite the shocking headlines of January's stabbing attacks, Townsend said over the last couple of years, she has seen safety improve in downtown.
"Particularly in the past like few weeks, I've noticed more people around," said Townsend. "I've noticed more of a police presence, which has made me feel more secure. I'd like to see more businesses come back, more restaurants."
Denver District Attorney John Walsh, who has worked in downtown Denver for decades, addressed how his office would support the safety partnership.
"We have designated one of our most experienced prosecutors to serve as a coordinator, a point of contact and strategic partner working with the Denver Police Department and the community to ensure that we're not only effectively enforcing the law but — as the Mayor said — working every day to prevent crime and keep people out of the system when that is effective.
Walsh added that a senior prosecutor has been designated to work on a task force created by the City to investigate theft cases involving downtown businesses. "Because that's an issue that has adversely affected all too many businesses not only in downtown Denver but around the city," added Walsh.
Also announced Wednesday, DPD will add a new downtown kiosk located at 16th and Arapahoe Streets which “will serve as a hub for officers and give residents and visitors an easy way to get questions answered or report any issues quickly and safely,” according to a news release.
- You can watch the full press briefing in the video player below.
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