DENVER (KDVR) — An electronic gadget is available to property owners who want to clear adjacent areas of loiterers. The motion-activated device emits a flashing blue light and chirping sounds when triggered by passers-by.
FOX31 found that the device placed on a building near Curtis and 20th is drawing support from residents who say loitering has become a problem in the area.
“We have a lot of friends in the homeless community, but for some reason, this corner right here just puts off an unsettling vibe in the area,” said Ben Duckworth.
Others who frequent new businesses in the area say that particular block can feel less safe and they welcome any effort to improve security.
“I think it’s great and it’ll clean this area up a lot, it’ll keep everybody from around here that doesn’t need to be around here,” said one visitor.
Others disagree, describing the use of this type of security measure as insensitive.
“I think it’s a really poor approach to try to just harass people,” Together Denver organizer Amy Beck told FOX31.
Beck says if more buildings use flashing lights and noises to ward away unwanted individuals, the community’s overall safety may be compromised.
“If it does prove to be effective, then it’s simply going to continue to chase people all over the city into alleyways and into places where they are in hiding and it’s unsafe for them,” said Beck.
Regardless of opinion, all agree that solutions can be difficult to come by. Beck told FOX31 the community should support city programs that provide street teams that hand out resource information to those in need.
The city of Denver provides information about how to support homelessness programs on its website.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
