Foremost, I tell this story not just as a former resident of Denver Housing Authority apartments, but as someone who was directly affected by the total absence of safety and security for the length of an entire horrific year. The frightening experiences of traversing dimly lit hallways, the putrid scent of Fentanyl ever present, finding stray drug paraphernalia, and encountering homeless individuals engaging in inappropriate and potentially harmful activities have settled deep in my memory. The single most disturbing part of this tale is the images unfit for children scarred on their innocent minds.

The question, therefore, begs: why is safety not a primary concern in these apartments? The presence of drugs, the activities of registered sex offenders, and the homeless crisis are well-documented issues in our city. According to FBI data, Denver has a higher crime rate, 92.8 per 1,000 residents, than the average US rate of 40.6 (Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Statistics). These apartments should serve as a safe haven for residents, not a continuum of the dangers they face outside.

Denver Housing Authority and our local government must take immediate and effective steps to remedy this intolerable situation. This includes hiring sufficient, well-trained security personnel who can deter criminal activities and guard the residents' safety. If crime prevention is not the top priority now, then when?

Let's rally together and demand safer living conditions for Denver Housing Authority apartment residents. Please sign this petition to lend your support in demanding increased security. We demand respect regardless if we're on subsidized housing or not....