COMMUNITY WATCH GROUP MEETING ON JUNE 14TH A SUCCESS!!!

Thanks to the 65 members of the AreaWatch GWG who attended our meeting on June 14th at Harmony Baptist Church. We had a lively discussion with Council Member Kathryn Wilemon, and APD Sgt. Stapleton.

We also enjoyed a presentation by Steve Messina of the Valley Springs Citizens On Patrol Program. The Valley Springs group has seen the benefits of the COP Program in their area, and were encouraging us to consider starting a program of our own. For more information on the AreaWatch COP Program, CLICK HERE .

There was also a discussion of the National Night Out plan to move the small, neighborhood parties to one central location in our district. Several of the neighbors in attendance agreed with my stance on the problems with this plan, and expressed their concerns to Council Member Wilemon.

There were also several concerns raised about the businesses that are leaving the local shopping centers, and how the empty buildings could be a target for problem behavior. Mrs. Wilemon said she will look into the concerns, but that the Council had no control over the private property and whether it is leased or not. She did say she would look into the concern about the recent carnival that set up in the lot at Arkansas/Cooper recently.

Concerns about Code Violations all over the neighborhood were expressed. Doug shared that we have our own Code Ranger in the CWG! Code Rangers are citizens trained by the City to be the eyes and ears of the Code Enforcement department. CLICK HERE .

Thanks to all who were able to attend this meeting of the AreaWatch Community Watch Group! We on the watch for our next meeting!

Remember- Stay vigilent, Care for your Neighbor, and Call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious!

National Night Out 2008- A Concern

One concern that may arise at the meeting is related to this year's National Night Out initiative. The great news is that the City has moved the NNO night from the first of August to October...COOLER! The concern surrounds the plans to move the NNO gatherings out of the neighborhoods and move NNO to one central gathering point in our area. The City wants all of us to meet at the city park across from Short Elementary on California Ln. I am sorry to say that I cannot get behind that effort. I believe the City Manager's office made a huge mistake on this one! This plan is bad for two reasons:

1. It totally undermines the premise of NNO. Folks are supposed to meet in their yards and get to know their immediate neighbors so they can build a relationship that will foster caring and thus look out for each other. Putting large groups from at least 3 PRA's (that I've been told about), is too many people (the park could be overcrowded) and not one's immediate neighbors.

2. The other reason this is a bad idea is the fact that the city will be advertising this event and all the bad guys will know that the sector of town from Bowen to Cooper and Arkansas to Arbrook will be at the park across from Short Elem. from 7-9 PM on Monday night (made this up for the example), so let's hit all those houses while they are away!

I am sorry, but as a Community Watch Group leader representing you, my neighbors, I will be working against this idea and encourage our folks to continue (as we have for the past 2 years) to meet in our front yards and get to know each other better. I am very disappointed in our city leadership, who once again, did not ask the grass roots citizens for our input.

With crime on the increase in our area, we need NNO to be a time where we can further our relationships and look out for each other.

The AreaWatch Planning Team will offer suggestions for NNO as we get closer to the date!