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Annual neighborhoods conference
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SLACO's 8th annual Neighborhoods Conference will be on March 22, 2003,
at Forest Park Community College. It includes workshops on housing,
crime and safety, youth and school, organizational effectiveness, and
planning and economic development. The $10 registration fee includes
breakfast pastries, a box lunch, and closing reception. Contact Amber
Moodie-Dyer at 533.9104, ext. 208, to register or get further
information.
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Free safety lights
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Dusk-to-dawn safety lights are available to all senior home owners in
Forest Park Southeast. The lights and installation are free. Contact
Elizabeth Robinson at 531.4468.
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Tax preparation / earned-income tax credits
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A free service of preparing tax returns will be available at Adams Park
Community Center on Sunday, February 2, 2003. The average tax-credit
benefit (like a refund) is $1,500, Esther Shin of Urban Strategies said.
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Crimes solved
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Rachel Smith, neighborhood justice director, reported that individuals
have been arrested and charged in connection with recent shootings,
robberies, and car cloutings (smashed windows and theft of items). Eric
Phillips and an juvenile are charged with robbery-assaults at a business
and two homes in Gibson Heights. Lemark Franklin is charged with a
shooting on Manchester. Phillips and Franklin are in jail with very high
bonds set, Smith said. A juvenile has confessed to 70 car cloutings in
FPSE and other neighborhoods.
Smith also reported that the SCAT (Street Corner Apprehension Team)
completed a recent round of work, primarily in the New Boyle and Adams
Grove areas. She urged all to continue to call 911 about in-progress
crimes and 241-COPS with drug-activity information. The 241-COPS line
does not use caller ID and you do not have to identify yourself. Further
SCAT assignments will be based on the volume of information provided by
neighbors to the 241-COPS line, Smith said.
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Information sharing
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Sonda Thompson asked how information could be shared throughout the
Gibson Heights neighborhood. She noted that small groups on a few blocks
know each other and share information, but information does not get to
everyone.
Esther Shin (Urban Strategies), Steve Parish (Security Coordinator), and
Sue Lauritsen (chair, Security Task Force (STF)) participated in the
discussion. Esther explained that the Washington University Medical
Center (WUMC) contracted with Urban Strategies for a variety of
projects, with the current focus being on security. WUMC provided
initial funding for the Security Coordinator position and a six-resident
committee chose Steve. Both he and Sue will work with Urban Strategies
on security matters.
Esther said Sue will focus on the exchange of information between the
police and the neighborhood and projects such as gangway gates and
outside lighting. Steve is assigned to "pound the pavement," working to
involve more of the 3,800 people of the neighborhood. Esther added that
both Sue and Steve need neighborhood input.
Esther also said there will be a steering committee for the STF, with
representatives invited from the five sub-areas, the Community Council,
Neighborhood Coordination Team, and resource providers. She asked Gibson
Heights to name a representative to the steering committee. Esther noted
that resource providers had already met, asking themselves if they were
using resources efficiently. Ester suggested the need for alternatives
such as substance-abuse treatment, mental health programs, and jobs.
Steve said that success of the security effort depended on having as
many as possible take ownership of the effort. He hoped that the
organization of security would be "organic," coming out of the
neighborhood and evolving as changes occur. Steve said he was open to
whatever came up.
Sue reported that she has collected e-mail addresses whenever possible
so that information could go out as quickly as possible. She added that
that was not necessarily the best way and that three or four different
ways were needed to reach everybody. Rachel added that consistent,
accurate information was important to avoid speculation and rumors.
A resident asked about existing models. Steve responded that many models
existed, such as police taking over social services, resident peace
walks, and resident empowerment. In discussion, several possibilities
were mentioned: use of the Haines directory; on-street meetings for
trash pickup and socializing; adopt-a-block program; regular outdoor
activity, which could be as simple as sitting on the front porch; grass
cutting at a set time for a block; alley cleaning; the Metropolis Wash
project; and Operation Brightside efforts (Saturday, March 29, for
FPSE).
Phil Heagney reported that he had written up a project proposal for
neighbors to be in touch with one another. The effort could be done in
one or two months. Besides providing contact information, the project
would find out the interests of residents and how they wanted to
participate.
Rhonda asked what was the right thing to tell new neighbors and
prospects. Esther suggested that a good response was that FPSE had more
resources than any other city neighborhood.
At Sonda's request, members present from various blocks committed to
initial involvement to share information by contacting at least five
more persons on their blocks.
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Housing and Economic Development Corporation
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George Jones said that the board has one at-large opening and that the
Gibson Heights seat would be open again in March. (The term originally
was to expire in December but the board extended the terms until its
March 3 meeting.)
George also reported that the corporation had received 80 resumes for
the vacant executive director position.
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