Opinion: Moving homeless along: SET not a ‘threat’ team in Denver

Members of Denver's Street Engagement Team approach an RV.Photo byRegan Benson

In one of her recent YouTube videos, advocate for people experiencing homelessness Regan Benson refers to Denver’s Street Engagement Team, or SET team, as a “threat team.” Benson has a spirited exchange with the team during the video.

It’s just the latest criticism of the team, a civilian non-police force. SET is empowered to write tickets for violations of the urban camping ban, but has not so far. Housekeys Action Network Denver, or HAND, has blasted SET for not staying true to its mission.

“While the original description and current marketing of SET try to claim their job is to conduct ‘outreach, facilitate service connection, and offer quality-of-life resources’ and that they have a range of enforcement duties not just focused on houseless people, the records of SET work from 2023 prove otherwise,” HAND reported in a presentation.

HAND officials said they received SET data from City Council members. They said they examined the SET work log for 2023. “Every single contact/attempted contact - the entire SET workload - was related to houseless people. “

According to HAND, the log sheet included columns for the number of tents, structures, and RVs. Almost 74% (1,578 of 2,134 of contacts) involved tents, structures, or vehicles, HAND reported. According to the logs, some encampments already were cleared by the time SET arrived and were designated as “area clear” or “ready for trash pickup,” according to HAND.

SET saves 13 lives with Narcan

But does SET really deserve the term “threat” team? Indeed, members of the team want people experiencing homelessness in the public right of way to move along. But consider the alternative – police with guns, pepper spray and sometimes attitude enforcing the camping ban.

In a statement to the author of this article, Kelly Jacobs, spokesperson for the Department of Safety, wrote: “To date, the Street Engagement Team has not issued any citations. For context, Denver voters voted overwhelmingly to reject the effort to repeal the camping ban in 2019. SET was created as a solution to address the increasing number of complaints about encampments without having to send a uniformed officer. While they have the ability to issue citations, SET’s primary goal is gaining voluntary compliance with city ordinances while building relationships with the folks they interact with so they can connect them to the resources they need. SET members are highly trained to ensure they can respond compassionately and appropriately to the people and situations they encounter. We’re proud of the work that they do, which includes saving 13 lives using Narcan.”

Move or else

But to people like Regan and advocates with HAND, SET simply exists to harass unhoused people. The threat is move along or else. Comments from the 2023 logs, according to HAND, included:

“Three people sitting on grass covered, informed had to be uncovered.

“One male leaving alley and large amount of items on sidewalk.

“One female loitering, transported to hospital, welfare check.

“Four individuals camping under blanket, full compliance.

“Vans do not appear to be homeless, has current plates.

“Fourteen people in area, we were advised to leave location.

“Five males, two females asked to leave the alleys.

“One male sleeping, full compliance, area clear.

“One person by river passed onto rangers.”

Photo byMihály KölesonUnsplash

I would have preferred SET to police

As someone who once fell asleep along the Platte River during homelessness while covered up with a blanket, I wish the SET team had existed back then. In 2019, I was roused from sleep by police. When I attempted to move along, they tackled me to the ground and a struggle ensued. My face was severely bloodied and bruised. I remember screaming in the back of the police car with blood streaming down my face. The assault happened right in front of Crossroads homeless shelter while everyone was lining up to go inside for the evening. Denver Health worked on my face for about 90 minutes before I was taken to jail on suspicion of assault on a peace officer. Me, the guy who spent almost two hours in the Denver Health ER, charged with assaulting police.

My experience with police during homelessness almost always was negative. I sustained several bruises from run-ins with police. An unarmed civilian who could have pointed me to shelter instead would have been welcome.

I completely get why Benson and HAND admonished the SET team. It would be false to pretend SET exists simply to connect people experiencing homelessness to resources. They also want to move homeless people along. Benson and HAND are disgusted with the disrespect homeless people are paid. But to me, SET is a better alternative than police, especially after saving 13 lives.