Rise in gang clashes feared

Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 23, 2007 at midnight

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The Rev. Leon Kelly, Denver's veteran gang opponent, anticipates an increase in violence that could affect this weekend's jazz concert in City Park.

Violence erupted at a concert two weeks ago when rival gang members attacked one another, threatening to undermine Denver's popular summer jazz series.

Last Sunday, Father's Day, police and concertgoers filled the park, and no gang violence occurred.

But Kelly warned the respite might not last. He said gang members never planned to go to City Park on Father's Day. Instead, Kelly said he saw suspected gang members at a Stapleton park and fears many may migrate back to City Park.

"There's so much tension right now," said Kelly, director of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives. "I am always concerned because of the violence that is taking place on a daily basis."Kelly spoke Friday to members of the Lincoln Club of Colorado, the state's oldest Republican organization. He told the audience of older, white Republicans that in 1986, Denver had about 200 gang members. That number now exceeds 20,000, Kelly said. Kelly keeps a list of gang-related deaths in Colorado and has added 17 victims this year.

Denver police plan to continue coming out in force to keep the City Park Jazz festival safe.

Upcoming free concerts include Tina Phillips at 6 p.m. Sunday and Convergence at 6 p.m. July 1.

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