Monitoring Crime Activity at Suburban Studios: A 2020-2024 Crime Baseline

At the December 16 City Council meeting, the Council approved Resolution #R24-135, authorizing an agreement between the City of Arvada and the owners of the Suburban Studios apartments, located at 6455 North Sheridan Boulevard. The agreement allows for the use of the property for “emergency sheltering” with funding not to exceed $1,134,000 over a two-year period. This funding is provided through a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). As a result, residents of the 64th and Sheridan and Arlington Meadows neighborhoods should remain vigilant and informed about activity stemming from Suburban Studios. Over the last five years, the property has been a recurring hotspot for criminal incidents. To aid in community awareness and proactive monitoring, Arvada Voices has summarized all reported crimes at the Suburban Studios property from 2020 to 2024. It is our hope that the presence of this new initiative to help our unhoused community also brings with it a reduction in crime to protect both our neighbors in need and the surrounding community.

Key Findings

From January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024, 135 crimes were reported at this location. The three most frequent categories of crime were:

1. Stolen Vehicle Recovery – 26 incidents

2. Trespassing – 19 incidents

3. Drug/Narcotic Offenses – 17 incidents

Trends Over Time

• The crime rate stabilized between 2021 and 2024, with an annual average of 23.5 crimes.

• 2020 was a particularly active year, with 41 crimes reported. Trespassing and various other criminal charges contributed heavily to this spike.

Detailed Year-by-Year Breakdown

In 2020, Savannah Suites Hotel experienced high levels of criminal activity, particularly in trespassing, aggravated assault, and drug/narcotic offenses. Motor vehicle recoveries also began to emerge as a recurring issue during this year.

Moving into 2021, there was a noticeable shift from aggravated assaults to simple assaults, with four incidents reported, while trespassing and vehicle-related crimes continued to be prevalent.

By 2022, trespassing incidents reached their highest count with eight cases, alongside seven motor vehicle recoveries, marking the peak of these two issues. This year also saw a smaller resurgence in theft-related crimes.

2023 was marked by a significant spike in weapon law violations, with 11 incidents dominating the crime reports. Other categories, such as motor vehicle recovery and simple assault, maintained moderate activity levels.

In 2024, there was a drop in trespassing incidents; however, theft and assault remained consistent issues. Drug/narcotic offenses and vehicle recovery also continued to be active concerns, highlighting ongoing challenges for the community near the hotel.

Crime Data from 2020-2024

Recommendations

To address the ongoing safety concerns at Suburban Studios, the following actions are recommended:

1. Community Engagement Residents in the area should consider forming or strengthening a neighborhood watch program. Active participation can help deter criminal activity and provide a unified voice for addressing community safety issues.

2. Law Enforcement Collaboration Advocate for increased police presence in the area, with a focus on addressing motor vehicle recovery, drug-related crimes, and weapon law violations. Regular patrols and proactive enforcement can significantly reduce criminal activity.

3. Security Enhancements The property management at Savannah Suites should invest in improved security measures. Enhanced lighting, surveillance cameras, and restricted access can help deter trespassing and other criminal behaviors.

4. Monitoring Trends Continuously monitor fluctuations in specific crime categories, such as drug/narcotic offenses and weapon law violations, to identify patterns and predict potential surges. This data-driven approach can guide targeted interventions.