WEEK OF JANUARY 9, 2025
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 28
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Jeffco Schools accountability committee charts path for inclusive education BY SUZIE GLASSMAN SGLASSMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
APD Deputy Chief Todd Reeves (left), Governor Jared Polis (center) and APD Chief Ed Brady (right).
COURTESY OF ARVADA POLICE
MORE EYES ON OLDE TOWN Polis visits Arvada, presents $56K grant to police for camera system BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis stopped by Arvada just before the new year to present the city’s police department with a $56,000 grant that will allow the department to install a camera monitoring system in Olde Town. Polis made his visit on Dec. 30, meeting with Arvada Police Chief Ed Brady and Deputy Chief Todd Reeves in Olde Town, before presenting the department with a check that is part of the state’s Safer Streets initiative. The Safer Streets Grant Program launched in 2024 and allows the state government to determine which municipalities are in need of grant funding to make their communities safer.
At the event in Arvada, police announced the launch of the Strength in Community: Stronger Together initiatives, which includes a series of video stories that highlight the work of the Safer Streets program and other similar programs, and encourages other municipalities to get involved. In early January, six cameras placed around Olde Town Arvada will allow Arvada Police officers to observe activity remotely and provide intel to their counterparts responding to calls. Aside from APD’s body cameras, this is the first widespread monitoring program targeted at Olde Town Arvada. The impacts of the Safer Streets grant program has already been felt elsewhere in the state, as the city of Trini-
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dad has already employed measures to improve safety around its Riverwalk, which spans the city. Denver, Delta, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Commerce City, Greeley, Hotchkiss, Mesa County, Rio Grande County, the Town of Akron and the Town of Milliken are other recipients of the grant. Pueblo’s grant of $853,000 was one of the largest grants doled out, while the City and County of Denver receiving three separate grants totaling over $1.4 million. “We are committed to making Colorado one of the ten safest states and this builds on our work to reduce crime and make our communities safer by inspiring more action,” Polis said. “Colorado has seen violent and property crime go
down over the last two years, but we have to do a lot more. I look forward to building on this work with this new initiative, as well as our budget proposals that we call on the legislature to pass this year.” APD Public Information Officer Chase Amos detailed some of the other functionality the cameras will provide and said the infrastructure could be expanded in the future if phase one is successful. “Stored footage will also be important evidence in the investigation and prosecution of crimes,” Amos said. “The system is scalable, so if we find the technology to be useful, and future funding allows, we intend to increase the number of cameras around Olde Town and eventually into other areas of the city.”
Jeffco Public School’s Equity Accountability Committee recently provided an in-depth update to the school board, highlighting its efforts to promote equity within the district. Formed during the 2023–24 school year, the committee’s goal is to identify systemic inequities and develop actionable solutions across staffing, resources, programming and family engagement. Superintendent Tracy Dorland opened the discussion by acknowledging the legacy of the late Riley Robert Hawkins, a longtime Jeffco teacher and equity advocate. “Mr. Hawkins was a teacher in Jeffco, a longtime teacher in Jeffco, and I know the (Ethnic Minority Outreach Action Team) cares deeply about his legacy,” Dorland said. “The work he did for our community is why we are here today to discuss this topic.” The presentation highlighted the committee’s foundational efforts, emphasizing that equity work is “both deeply complex and profoundly personal,” according to Tara Peña, committee co-chair. “Equity is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a mindset and a journey requiring us to meet people where they are and honor their unique experiences,” Peña said. Key progress and initiatives
According to Peña, the EAC has structured its work around three main pillars: connection and community building, advancing learning and leading actionable change. SEE EDUCATION, P2
COMMUNITY BY THE CUP Slide into kava bars for a calmer vibe P10
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