Hot Streets: Identifying and Addressing Emerging Violent Gun Crime

In 2024, the Denver Police Department (DPD) developed and launched the Hot Streets program—a data-driven, proactive crime prevention strategy designed to identify emerging violent gun crime hot spots and disrupt these trends through directed, high-visibility patrols in specific street segments. Over a six-month period, areas implementing the Hot Streets initiative experienced a 58 percent decrease in violence following the patrol period, compared to a 37 percent increase in violence at control locations. The Hot Streets methodology identifies street segments with emerging violent gun crime—particularly homicides and shootings—along with their immediate precursors, based on short-term historical trends. It also provides tools to objectively measure policing effectiveness, supporting informed decision-making for selecting effective interventions. This presentation will detail the Hot Streets data methodology developed by DPD’s Data Analysis Bureau. Topics will include metrics for evaluating effectiveness, coordination with the 911 Communications Center, operational integration with the Patrol Division, and the application of evidence-based strategies for directed patrol.