Denver conducting security search of converted homeless shelter

Morgan Whitley
·3 min read
3

DENVER (KDVR) — FOX31 has confirmed that the city of Denver is conducting a full-scale security check at a former hotel that was converted into a homeless shelter.

FOX31’s Nicole Fierro spoke to the city who said the check is being conducted by Denver Housing Stability with support by the Denver Police Department as they search each room.

“What we’re engaging in is a comprehensive security inspection underway of the entire property, all guestrooms, all common areas, all areas of the grounds,” said Derek Woodbury, communications director with Denver’s Department of Housing Stability.

Woodbury said the inspection is for prohibited items like weapons.

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Guests at the hotel were notified prior to the inspection.

“Today really shouldn’t be a surprise for guests. There’s lots of communication here, obviously, since it’s a human connection point, it’s a shelter. So, folks have been apprised that there’s been knowledge that this is coming,” said Woodbury.

The Salvation Army was at the hotel to assist the city and police.

“The Salvation Army takes the safety of its guests, staff, and neighbors very seriously. Keeping people safe is our chief concern. These comprehensive inspections were conducted with the utmost care to minimize disrupting guests’ day-to-day lives,” said the Salvation Army in a statement to FOX31.

Police have responded to shelter hundreds of times

The shelter, formerly a DoubleTree, is located at 4040 Quebec St. and has been the center of several calls for service over the year. According to the city’s website, the hotel is part of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s All In Mile High Initiative to provide temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

On March 16, two people were found dead inside the hotel. The man and woman’s death are now being investigated as a homicide.

On March 28, Denver police were called to a shooting at the hotel. An adult woman was taken to a local hospital where she was expected to survive. Two men were arrested in connection to the shooting. Denver police believe the suspects knew the victim and may have targeted her due to a prior conflict.

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After these incidents, FOX31 went to Denver police to see how many calls for service had been made to the hotel.

DPD confirmed that more than 400 calls for service have been made since Jan 1. for incidents including drugs, assault, domestic violence and more.

Ana-Lilith Miller of Housekeys Action Network Denver, a group that advocates for the unhoused, said this could have been prevented.

“People feel unsafe there,” Miller said. “There’s nothing to do around there. They’re out in the middle of nowhere with no form of transportation, and so without these things, you’re bound to have things happen.”

Denver responds with plan to address shelter safety

Following the homicide investigation, the city of Denver enacted a seven-point action plan.

The plan is in coordination with the mayor’s office, the Denver Department of Housing Stability, Denver police, the Denver Department of Safety and the Salvation Army.

The plan includes:

  • Taking a more hands‐on approach at the site

  • Increasing staff on site

  • Securing all external entrances and exits

  • Installing a badging system for staff and residents to enter the site

  • Installing additional exterior and interior cameras

  • Increasing DPD presence and patrols around the site

  • Increasing case management with staff performing weekly check‐ins with every

  • resident

Now, the city is doing a full-scale security check.

Fierro is at the hotel while the city conducts the check and will release updates as they become available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.