Greenwood Village Newsletter - April 2021

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GOVERNMENT THE MAYOR’S message INCREASING CRIME AND PENDING LEGISLATION Recently, our Chief of Police brought to the City Council and my attention a significant increase in crime. The Chief and every law enforcement agency in Arapahoe and Douglas County correlated this increase to jail restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the jails. Since the restrictions were imposed, Greenwood Village has seen: • 96% Increase in Robberies • 23% Increase in Thefts • 34% Increase in Burglaries • 157% Increase in Auto Thefts George Lantz glantz@ The City Council and I recently sent letters to greenwoodvillage.com 303-486-5741 our state legislative representatives expressing concerns over two bills currently under consideration. The first, Senate Bill 21-62, will make permanent the temporary COVID-19 jail restrictions by prohibiting custodial arrest for crimes listed above as well as for kidnapping, assault with serious injury, and sexual assault. Our Chief of Police Dustin Varney, who has 30 years of law enforcement training and experience, has stated, “If Senate Bill SB21-062 passes, there is a strong possibility that law enforcement will have significant issues preventing or reducing the rise in crime that we are seeing metro wide, putting the future of public safety in question.” Law Enforcement agencies throughout the Denver Metro area have not only seen similar increases in crime since the jail restrictions were put in place but have also seen subjects’ actions being more egregious as it became known they would not face arrest. Along with the City Council’s letter, Chief Varney and every law enforcement agency in Arapahoe and Douglas County sent a letter opposing the bill. This letter accompanied the letters from Police Chiefs and Sheriffs across the state. The second bill of concern, Senate Bill 21-182, limits school disciplinary options. This bill will prohibit schools from contacting the police for harassment, theft, menacing, assault, or possession of weapons, drugs or alcohol on school grounds or at school activities. If the police are called by a parent of a student who was victimized by another student on school grounds or at a school activity the police will be unable to act unless the student was severely injured or sexually assaulted. The intent of the bill is to keep students from entering the criminal justice system, but removing consequences for criminal behavior in the school environment can lead to an unsafe learning environment for the students, staff, and community. If you would like further information or wish to contact your State Legislative Representatives, their contact information is: Jeff.bridges.senate@state.co.us 303-866-4846 Meg.froelich.house@state.co.us 303-866-2921 To read the full text of our letters, please visit greenwoodvillage.com/2608/Legislative-Policy-Matters. MARCH 2021 BLIZZARD During winter storms I am always pleased and proud to return to the Village’s boundary where I know the streets will be clear. The recent blizzard was no exception. City Council and I would like to extend our appreciation to the departments and employees of Public Works; Parks, Trails and Recreation; Police; and Community Development for their efficient, professional, and quality response to the blizzard. You may be unaware how much planning and preparation go into a big snow event. In the days ahead of a storm planning meetings are held, hotel rooms are reserved for the street and trail crews, and food purchased so it may be prepared and crews fed at our Maintenance Facility. The crews inspect and repair the equipment to be utilized during a storm. Our staff is outfitted with cold-weather personal protective equipment, including snowsuits, jackets, snow boots, snow goggles, insulated gloves, hand warmers, hearing protection, and twoway radios and cell phones. As the event draws near, staff is mobilized and the snow removal equipment is loaded with sand or other material. PG. 2 GV NEWSLETTER | APRIL 2021
GOVERNMENT CITY council NOT SURE WHO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE? Obtain a list of your state and national government representatives at arapahoevotes.com DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 Dave Bullock dbullock@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4137 Anne Ingebretsen aingebretsen@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4135 Libby Barnacle ebarnacle@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4129 Tom Dougherty tdougherty@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4132 Jerry Presley jpresley@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4138 Dave Kerber dkerber@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4136 Donna Johnston djohnston@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4128 Judith Hilton jhilton@ greenwoodvillage.com 303-804-4131 During the storm, we set up an operation center to keep up with the rapidly changing conditions. Many crews work double shifts to keep our roadways clear. I am pleased to report the staff kept the major roadways and main arterials open throughout the storm and the day after the storm they were cleaning up the neighborhoods. Councilmember Jerry Presley videoed some of the recent event. You may find his video at youtu.be/cVNhzaRGUPw, I know you will enjoy seeing our amazing team in action. Thank you Jerry and team! You can see some photos of the year’s blizzard on pages 6-7 of this Newsletter. SPRING ILLUMINATION The Parks, Trails, and Recreation Department has a special evening for you and your family! Registration is now open for the Spring Illumination Event at Carson Park. This event was originally planned for December. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions the event was delayed and re-engineered as a Spring event. Please join us as we illuminate Carson Park while you enjoy a magical storybook stroll. Register at greenwoodvillage.com/specialevents and choose your time slot on April 29 through May 1, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please call Parks, Trails, and Recreation at 303-486-5773 or email ptr@greenwoodvillage.com. AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT In March, Congress passed the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, also known as the American Rescue Plan Act. This package will provide relief to state, county and local governments. It is expected federal aid of nearly $130.2 billion will be distributed across the country based on population. Although we do not have confirmation, we anticipate Greenwood Village will receive approximately $3.3 million in relief funds. At this time, the guidelines, regulations and restrictions along with the exact funding have not been finalized. As these elements are completed, the City Council will determine how to use these funds. I will keep you updated. Hope you enjoy a wonderful Spring! — George APRIL 2021 | GV NEWSLETTER PG. 3
Page 1: Greenwood Village N EEW S LLE ET TT
Page 5 and 6: VILLAGE CALENDAR Visit GREENWOODVIL
Page 7 and 8: GOVERNMENT APRIL 2021 | GV NEWSLETT
Page 9 and 10: GOVERNMENT COLORADO’S COVID-19 DI
Page 11 and 12: GOVERNMENT COVID-19 UPDATE — WE
Page 13 and 14: BUSINESS COVID-19 UPDATE — WE’R
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Page 17 and 18: ARTS AND RECREATION EXCELLENT EGG H
Page 19 and 20: ARTS AND RECREATION FUN IN THE SUN
Page 21 and 22: ARTS AND RECREATION PEE WEE ART TAK
Page 23 and 24: ARTS AND RECREATION CALLING GREENWO

Greenwood Village Newsletter - April 2021

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