Why was this commander cleaning up trash? ‘It is my responsibility’

Trash left by people camping in the area has been an ongoing issue at RTD’s Wagon Road Park-n-Ride. Although Facilities Maintenance colleagues do their best to stay on top of it, the problem persists. Two weeks ago, Transit Police Cmdr. Phillip Englishbee literally took the matter into his own hands: He drove to the station with a box of garbage bags and gloves and spent a full day cleaning it himself.

“It is my responsibility,” said Englishbee, whose policing sector includes the Park-n-Ride in Westminster. “I’m proud to work here, and I want to give people as much of a good experience as they possibly can have.” In a LinkedIn post the commander shared about the experience, he wrote: “Making lives better through connections and creating a safer transit environment and experience for all who utilize the services of RTD, is more than simply words, it's actions that are meaningful and purposeful.

“Take ownership!”

The concept of ownership, Englishbee explained, means that “you have an investment in something, and that regardless of your position, regardless of your job category, you’re part of a bigger picture and are taking steps to make it right on a daily basis.” His favorite quotes: “Above all, do right,” and “You’re free to choose, but you’re not free from the consequences of your choices.” The initiative at Wagon Road illustrates the latter thought, he said, in that “you make a choice for it to get worse or get better.”

Englishbee went to the station Sept. 12 hoping to clean 95% of it, which he says he did. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, he worked steadily in the hot sun, examining every corner, sidewalk and shrub. After more than seven hours, the commander discarded 10 pairs of rubber gloves and tied off six bags of garbage. On Sept. 18, he returned in uniform to collect two more bags.

“Our shared identity as 'one RTD' is more than just a phrase: It's a call to action, a reminder of our collective strength and unity,” said Deputy Chief Glyn Horn. “It's about how, individually and collectively, we are leaning in and demonstrating that we are one RTD through our actions.”

Horn continued: “Through actions, Cmdr. Englishbee answered the calling. His actions exemplify ownership of areas within his police sector. He is keenly aware that the cleanliness of facilities impacts customers' perceptions.

“In this instance, Cmdr. Englishbee could have easily stated that picking up trash is not his job. However, he understands the mission and accepts the call to action. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all your efforts in creating a safe and welcoming transit environment and effortlessly being an example to us all.”

Englishbee has asked his team to check on the station at least twice a day. The encampments have caught the attention of city leaders in Northglenn, at the eastern edge of the Park-n-Ride. That issue has improved, he said, but the prevalence of trash continues. He is recommending that Northglenn step up its police patrols to increase visibility in the area.

“We welcome the visibility of any of our outside partnering agencies, and encourage them to frequent RTD facilities whenever feasible,” Englishbee added. “Police presence is police presence, and any police department visibility is welcome, because it does in fact deter crime.”

Will his work make a difference? Englishbee references the broken windows theory of policing, which suggests that that cleaning up visible signs of disorder – such as graffiti, loitering and panhandling – can prevent more serious crimes. “If there’s nothing ever done, it makes it look like nothing is ever done,” he said.

His recent efforts made a visible difference on these days, and that’s just the work of one person, Englishbee noted. Imagine what a larger team can accomplish in any setting when they work together.

“This didn’t take much,” Englishbee said. “Just time. What’s time when you really make an impact?”