Mayor: Targeted multiagency response tied to steep drops in shootings at most pilot sites

City officials told the Denver City Council that the city has seen substantial reductions in violent crime this year and credited multiagency pilot efforts in several neighborhoods for steep declines at project sites. The mayor said a national study showed Denver has “the largest decrease in, all categories of violent crime of any of the top 50 cities in the country.” He provided city figures: an approximate 50% year-over-year drop in the homicide rate, a 27% decline in people involved in shootings and more than a 55% drop in firearm homicides. On the PNI (Place Network Investigations) effort, the mayor said the multiagency approach — pairing police, city attorneys, parks and rec, lighting improvements and youth programming — has been effective. “We have 7 sites across the city. As of last week, 6 of those 7 sites were at 100% decreases in shootings,” he said, adding that one remaining site, lower downtown near the theater/visitor corridor, still shows elevated activity and requires continued attention. Councilor comments during the meeting praised the strategy and asked that the city not end the targeted work while it remains effective; the mayor said continued staffing and budget choices will shape how long the intensive approach continues in each location. Why this matters: the city set a goal to reduce shootings by 15% and reported it has exceeded that target, while noting quality-of-life and lower-level property crimes remain focal points for residents and businesses. Ending: Councilors asked for continued data on neighborhood outcomes and for the administration to report back on transitioning sites out of the intensive PNI model where appropriate.