Subsidize Recovery, Not Addiction.
Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver is a grassroots, non-partisan organization founded by a diverse group of Denverites. We believe Denver should be a safe and clean city where citizens and businesses can thrive.
A Model That Works
US cities are facing a humanitarian crisis of addiction and mental illness that manifests as street homelessness, disorder, crime, despair and death. We are a founding member of North America Recovers - A coalition of those committed to responsibly managing this crisis. This is our plan:
Psychiatry for All
Psychiatric and addiction treatment must be available to all, including mandatory treatment for those who present a danger to themselves or others, or can no longer care for themselves.
Close Drug Markets
The authorities must take action now to shut down the open dealing of deadly drugs on social media, on sidewalks, and in tents through a combination of social services and law enforcement.
Shelter First
Sufficient emergency shelter must be provided, with more comfortable and private housing available as a reward for those who achieve treatment objectives like sobriety, taking medications, and participating in job training.
Petition to Mayor Johnston:
Honest Solutions for Denver's Addiction, Mental Health, and Unsheltered Homeless Crisis
July 20, 2023: Denver7 News Coverage
“The biggest takeaway was the idea of a moratorium on large camp cleanups for an extended period of time,” said Craig Arfsten with Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver.
“It's not healthy for the individuals that are on the street. It's not healthy for businesses that have encampments in front of their business. It's bad for neighbors that have to navigate this and the open drug use and crime in the neighborhood is just a bad situation.”
After the two-hour meeting, Denver7 reached out to Johnston’s team for clarification on the new policy and was told there would be no pause on sweeps and that the confusion amounted to a miscommunication.
July 21, 2023: CBS4 News Coverage
Sources tell CBS News Colorado that Mayor Johnston has planned to end all sweeps through the end of the year.
“The mayor's spokesperson said that's not true. She says he will continue to close large encampments, but she says he also plans to make encampments cleaner by meeting the hygiene and housekeeping needs of the people who live there.”
But Denverites like Craig Arfsten wonder, why make an encampment comfier and cleaner if you plan to close it?
"I heard the mayor is going to bring in port-a-potties, dumpsters, showers. The Mayor is going to make their lives more comfortable, but what about the lives of the residents that live around these encampments?" Arfsten asked.
