Addressing Homelessness and Crime in Olde Town: A Community in Crisis

Last night’s Arvada City Council meeting highlighted a growing crisis in Olde Town—the intersection of homelessness, crime, and public safety. Business owners, residents, and community members voiced their growing distress over the escalating levels of violence, drug use, and disturbances that have disrupted daily life. Their concerns go beyond the moral imperative of aiding the unhoused; they underscore the very real and urgent need to protect the well-being of all Arvadans.

The Impact on Businesses and Residents

Kristen Chayer, owner of Silver Vines Winery, spoke candidly about how unsafe conditions have deterred customers and negatively impacted her business due to a lack of employee retention because of safety concerns. Other business owners, including Mike Huggins and Alyssa Rossi, echoed her concerns, citing aggressive behavior, drug activity, and violent encounters that have left patrons and employees on edge. Mr. Huggins went on to explain he has multiple businesses in different locations, verifying that the presence of homeless individuals who commit these crimes does result in an additional strain on business in Olde Town which is not seen in his other locations. These comments emphasized the need for decisive action, noting that no business can thrive when public safety is compromised.

The crisis is not limited to business owners. Residents also recounted harrowing experiences that illustrate just how dangerous Olde Town has become. Becca, a yoga instructor at Grey Yoga, shared a chilling incident in which a homeless man, later found to be heavily armed, attempted to break into her studio while she was teaching a class. While holding back tears, she described the moment she had to discreetly place her students in Child’s Pose to keep them calm as she sought help. This incident, along with many others, has left residents feeling increasingly vulnerable in their own community.

A Small Group, A Massive Impact

While some residents acknowledged that the individuals responsible for these crimes represent only a small fraction of the homeless population, their outsized impact on the community cannot be ignored. As long as the focus remains solely on offering help to everyone, those who refuse assistance will continue destabilizing Olde Town. A shift in strategy is needed—one that prioritizes helping those who accept resources while addressing, through other means, the individuals who refuse assistance and engage in criminal behavior.

The numbers tell a sobering story: So far this year, the CORE team has made 88 contacts with homeless individuals, yet only 3 have accepted resources. Seventeen housing resources have been offered, but the vast majority have gone unused. If people are not accepting the help that is already available, what makes city officials believe that simply offering more services will yield a different result? Without mandated mental health treatment and, in many cases, drug rehabilitation, the cycle of crime and addiction will continue to erode public safety.

Beyond Shelters—A Call for Real Solutions

The conversation at the council meeting made one thing abundantly clear: this is not just a homelessness issue—it is a crisis of public safety. While some advocate for navigation centers and shelters as solutions, many residents have previously pointed out that such measures fail to address the root causes of crime, including untreated mental illness and rampant drug addiction. Without substantial intervention—such as mandatory mental health treatment and rehabilitation programs—merely providing shelter will not prevent criminal activity from continuing to disrupt Olde Town—or anywhere else.

A key question raised during the meeting was why existing bans and policies have failed to prevent repeat offenders from returning. Becca’s case illustrated this failure—her aggressor had already been banned from Olde Town but still found his way back. If bans do not work at Mission Arvada or in the entertainment district, what makes city officials believe they will be effective in any location? Residents want real solutions, not policies that simply shift the problem elsewhere.

Demands for Immediate Action

The overwhelming message from the community is that change is needed now. Based on public comment, action could include the following:

• Increased law enforcement presence to deter crime and hold offenders accountable.

• Strict enforcement against open drug use and violent disturbances.

• A reassessment of ineffective bans that fail to keep repeat offenders out of Olde Town.

• Comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment programs to address the underlying causes of crime.

As we have seen proposed solutions in the form of navigation centers at 60th and Sheridan, 51st and Marshall, and likely elsewhere at the behest of Councilwoman Ambrose, we are left to consider what this will solve. She has stated, "We’re doing everything we can to meet people without homes and people with homes to get them to talk to each other about what we can do that’s a real solution moving forward," but unfortunately, we have yet to see proof of this kind of engagement. The heart of the issue is this: if there were truly a solution to the crime associated with homelessness, why wouldn’t it be implemented directly where the crisis is unfolding? Moving shelters or navigation centers elsewhere does not eliminate loitering, drug use, or violent crime—it simply displaces it to another part of the city. Arvada residents deserve better than a temporary fix; they deserve real, lasting change that prioritizes both compassion and accountability.

The city council now faces a crucial test—will they take meaningful steps to protect the residents and businesses of Olde Town, or will they allow these problems to continue unchecked? The people of Arvada have spoken. Now, it is up to city leaders to act.