THE SAFETY GAP
Denver’s spends over half a billion dollars a year to FUND police, courts, and jails
The criminal legal system mostly responds to harm after it happens, instead of addressing the root causes of crime. But most crimes are not reported to the police, fewer result in arrest or conviction. That leaves victims unsupported and communities without solutions.
THE CRIME FUNNEL
The truth is: while the criminal legal system has a role to play, that role is inherently limited. That’s not a critique. It’s just the math.
Most violent crimes aren’t reported to police. According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 44.7% of violent crimes were reported to law enforcement.
Only a fraction of violent crimes reported to police lead to an arrest. According to recent data, only about 36.7% of reported violent crimes in the U.S. are cleared by arrest.
Fewer still are referred for prosecution.
The criminal legal system alone can’t deliver the safety Denverites want and deserve.
Under the status quo:
Most harm
never ends in accountability
Most victims
never receive support
Communities are left without solutions
Community is the missing piece in Denver’s public safety strategy
Without meaningful public investment in community-led programs, Denver will continue to fall short of the safety every resident deserves.
The city funds some prevention and intervention-focused initiatives, but they are managed by city agencies, with very little funding directed to community partners. And private philanthropy alone won’t get us there.
Let’s Get Real
Denver needs sustained investment in the trusted relationships, cultural understanding, and on-the-ground experience that only community can bring.
Let’s get real about safety. Let’s build it together.
