Reader: Cops Shoot Innocent People and Then Ban Businesses?

One food truck owner who was parked just down the block that night says that the businesses were not consulted by the DPD before they were banned; she’s started a petition to get the trucks back in the area.

In their comments on the Westword Facebook post of her story, readers question the DPD’s moves — both banning the trucks and firing their guns in the first place. Says Joe: 

Why close down the food trucks in this part of town? It’s not like those six innocent bystanders were hit by flying tacos. They were hit by bullets fired by the Denver Police Department.

Melody:

I don’t go to LoDo at all, so I really don’t have a dog in this fight, but it seems to me the City is looking for the easiest solutions that hurt the most people. Here are my questions: Why do bars have mandatory closing times? What if bars closed when they wanted to? Would that naturally stagger closing times based on commercial needs (staffing, etc.) and prevent crowds choking the streets at the same time? Just musing here….

Responds Jake:

Nah… it just means the shit show down there would go on longer.

Counters Nick:

This works for the largest cities in the world.. it’s almost like those running Denver are incompetent? It’s absolutely absurd these local business were ordered to shut down because the city doesn’t know how to do its job.

And Jake concludes:

So, idiot cops shoot innocent people and their response is to overstep and shut down businesses? Fire those fuckers. Need a complete overhaul of Denver PD. If you can’t competently do your job, you don’t deserve to wear the badge.

Food truck owners say they were told the ban was temporary, but they have yet to hear when it might be lifted. In the meantime, what do you think of the city’s move to boot these businesses from parts of the LoDo/Ballpark neighborhoods on the weekend? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected]