The Denver Police Department is dealing with a spike in gang violence in northeast Denver.
Police hope that community outreach efforts will pay off in solving those crimes.
Police Chief Robert White said Wednesday the uptick in gang violence began during a shooting outside of a rap concert in November. Since then, White says police have investigated 12 gang-related shootings in the northeast Denver area.
That violence includes two separate shootings from this week that left two injured and one dead.
White said police need the public's help, urging people in gang-afflicted areas to overcome their fears of reporting criminal activity.
“We've got to come out of the closet. We've got to come out of the house. We've got to say something," White said. "Criminals are counting on communities being afraid. That’s the bottom line."
White said police are utilizing outreach efforts with social organizations and enhanced gun shot technology to help solve these crimes.
