The Denver runoff candidates for the City Council’s District 2 seat agree that the southwest area needs more police resources to reduce response times.
Denver City Council District 2 for the 2015 election.
Kevin Flynn called the average response — , the longest for any police district — a “disgrace” that’s unacceptable. John Kidd suggested that the Denver Police Department at least place an outpost south of Hampden Avenue. Both were careful to praise the current police district leadership, saying it’s an issue of resources.
I interviewed both candidates for “On the Spot,” the Denver Post TV political show, ahead of the June 2 runoff. Watch the full interview above or . You also can .
Among four runoffs in Denver’s officially nonpartisan election, the district is one of two that have a Republican (Kidd) running against a Democrat (Flynn). Both said they would be budget hawks in the usually conservative district, but their approaches would differ.
Kidd, who runs an insurance agency, says his background in business and on the board of a homeowner’s association, hearing ground-level concerns, set him apart from Flynn. “What I can bring to the council is my experience that I’m already doing now,” Kidd said. “I’m doing it now — I haven’t written about it,” he added, referring to Flynn’s work as a longtime reporter.
Flynn, now a public information project manager for the Regional Transportation District, says he’s reaching out to all corners of the district.
“Nothing prepares you to be a budget watchdog more than being laid off at the age of 56 when a business closes, which is what happened to me with the Rocky Mountain News,” he said. Such an experience “gives you a real appreciation for what our families are going through.”
