District 5 Officers Move Roll Call To The Streets To Get In Touch
DENVER (CBS4)- Police working out of District 5 in Northeast Denver are trying a new approach to get in touch with the community-- they moved their roll call out onto the streets.
Daily assignments will be issued in public instead of in meetings behind closed doors.
"I don't think we can do our jobs effectively without the community so we're willing to come into the community and engage and interact with the people I think certainly helps us to solve crimes like this," said Denver Police Cmdr. Ron Thomas.
As much as Thomas believes the outdoor roll call is about transparency, he's hoping the community can help solve a recent homicide.
Surveillance video shows the gunman wanted in a recent murder in Montbello running away from the crime scene. The deadly shooting happened on Jan. 23 at a bus stop.
"The more we interact with the public, the more they're inclined to provide us with information," said Thomas.
Varnell Jenkins was the victim in that shooting.
"He shot him here, the first one, then turned and fell back. This is his blood, his daughter will never get to know him," said one Montbello resident who didn't want to be identified.
Investigators believe a dispute inside a liquor store led to the shooting.
"So if you're watching you better run, you better hope the police get you before the streets do," said the Montbello resident.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).