• About Us
• Crime & Prevention
• Community Partnerships
• FAQ
• Join Our Team
• Online Services
• Safety & Health

Deb Hamilton, a long time Arvada resident, had a problem with her next-door neighbor. It wasn't because she didn't agree with his landscaping; it was because of drugs, trash and the destruction of property associated with this not-so-nice neighbor.

Deb wasn't the only one who had a problem. Dozens of other homeowners felt helpless in watching their neighborhood in the 5100 block of Iris Street decline so they banned together with the Arvada Police Department to implement the Safe Streets Now program.

"There volume of traffic was so bad, that some people began living in their cars on the block in the summer months,"said Hamilton. "Not only did the cars line the streets, but people began parking on our driveways and blocking our cars which kept us prisoners in our own homes."

Garbage was another issue. Because the neighbor, Cliff Langdon, didn't have trash service, the garbage began piling higher and higher.

"The stench alone this past summer was completely unbearable," said Hamilton.

Deb suspected that her neighbor may have been involved with drugs at his home based on the volume of traffic in the area and other visible signs.

Deb called the police on numerous occasions, but was unsuccessful in addressing the problem as a whole. That's when she contacted Community Resource Officer, Ginger Charles, who introduced the Iris Street neighborhood to the Safe Streets program.

"Ginger asked me to talk with my neighbors about the problems. Everyone expressed the same feelings of frustration as I had," said Hamilton. "It was a tremendous relief."

On September 12, 2001, the Iris Street residents met and decided to take part in the Safe Streets program.

Initiated in California, the program was designed to alert the owner of a property of problems being caused by a nuisance renter. Through the formal written letter to the property owner, steps are usually taken to evict the problem renter.

"This case was completely different because the offending neighbor was not a renter; he was the owner of the property," said Officer Charles. "What made the situation even more difficult was the suspect's continued effort to take part in alleged criminal behavior."

The next step in the process for the Iris St. residents was to take the offending neighbor to small claims court.

On Thursday, March 28, eight Iris St. residents had their case heard in Jefferson County civil court. The judge in the case wholeheartedly concurred with their claims and awarded each resident $7,500 from the nuisance neighbor.

"It was not about the money. It was never about the money," said Officer Charles. "I truly believe the neighbors would have welcomed Cliff with open arms had he adopted the values of the neighborhood by avoiding criminal activity."

As part of the small claims case, the residents displayed a timeline developed by the Arvada Police Department showing a chronology of crimes occurring on the block since 1998. The timeline stretches more than 60 feet. The timeline will be used in criminal cases still pending against the suspect.

Cliff Langdon is in jail. He pled guilty to possession of a dangerous drug and intimidating a witness and causing blight.

Related Topics