DENVER (CBS4) – Two murders just days apart has left Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood rattled.
Last week a man was stabbed leaving a bar near 13th and Pennsylvania, and over the weekend another man shot to death at 11th Avenue and Lincoln Street. Police made an arrest in the shooting death of Ronald Smith, but there has been no arrest in the stabbing death of Ryan Haldeman.
On Thursday worried neighbors packed a meeting with police near where Haldeman was stabbed to death.
“They’ve come to help us tonight to discuss things we can do to improve the challenges we face as a community, as an agency, and to also hopefully get the word out on the description of the person who we believe is responsible for this terrible event,” Cmdr. Tony Lopez said.
Ronald Smith (credit: Facebook)
The meeting was a chance for concerned residents to ask questions and to find out what’s being done to stop the violence and crime in their neighborhood.
One man who attended the meeting was Haldeman’s friend.
“Ryan was one of the most fun-loving, great people I’ve ever met,” Alpaca Jones said. “One thing I’m probably going to miss the most is singing songs at the jukebox at the pub with him.”
Ryan Haldeman (credit: Facebook)
The meeting didn’t just center on the recent murders. Many issues came up — everything from stopping drug dealers to lighting in the area.
“We would like to have accountability; what is the plan of action and how do we improve public safety.
Denver police says since the murders they’ve added patrols and increased the number of suspicious people they’ve contacted. It’s led to over a dozen arrests. But cleaning up Capitol Hill and finding Haleman’s murderer won’t be solved by just police — they also need the help of the community.
“In spite of all the successes we’ve enjoyed and the arrests we’ve made, we recognize that we have a long way to go and a lot of work to do,” Lopez said.
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