Attendance:

   Rachel Smith, Bob Babione, Sr. Leah Holzum, Don DeVivo, George Jones, Anne Thompson, Dan Scott, Sarah Green, Carmen Long, and Joan Botwinick.

Minutes:

   The February minutes were approved as submitted.

Announcements:

   George said that $8,000 of NAP credits have been sold.
   In discussion of the parks situation, the information seems to be that Teddy Bear Park would have to be bought from LRA before playground equipment could be installed. The situation may be complicated by reports that the ground east of Leon Uniform has been contaminated by gasoline tank leakage.

Forest Park Access:

   Bob reported on the work of the Gibson Heights Neighborhood Association's (GHNA) efforts to maintain the neighborhood's direct access to Forest Park. Features of the proposal from GHNA are avoiding the total blockage of Clayton, allowing FPSE residents to park at the Steinberg Rink parking lot, and written commitments to maintain a footbridge over Highway 40 / 64 when the reconstruction is done. The group expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the work done and authorized Bob to send a letter in support of the Access Committee's efforts.

Community Justice project:

   Rachel Smith, Director, returned for a second meeting. She spends 3 days per week at the Adams Park Community Center (APCC) and is coordinating the pilot program for the City to do outreach in neighborhoods to improve the safety of the City. FPSE is the first project. You can call her at 633.7916.
   Smith welcomes anyone to come and talk to her on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. She stressed the importance of calling 241-COPS when there is any problem. This can by anonymous. If the police ask for identification when you call, you can refuse. Smith encouraged everyone to let her know of any such request for identification on a 241.COPS call because that is not supposed to happen. She said that caller ID is used for 911 calls, but not for COPS calls.
   Smith announced an educational program on details of the city's justice system so residents will know more and will be able to be good jurors and voters. It is a 10-week course (on Wednesday evenings) at APCC. The program is free. It starts on April 24 and meets from 6:30 to 8:30. The classes will have 25 to 30 people. The class is open for citywide participation, but preference will be given to FPSE residents.
   Smith's survey on crime and neighborhood preferences is almost completed. It may be available for distribution with next month's meeting notice.
   The Missouri Legislature is considering a bill to allow neighborhood to be designated as a drug-crime victim. That would allow a representatives of neighborhood not-for-profit organizations to appear and testify at sentencing hearing to give victim impact information. Representative Hilgeman and Senator Dougherty support the measure, HB 1955.
   Rachel encouraged anyone who felt they are was not getting adequate police response to call her.
   In general discussion of the community oriented policing system (COPS), residents thought the police department did not have much interest. Smith said, however, that the department does some training for the program. Particular officers are not designated for the program. Rather, the philosophy is to make all officers community-oriented officers. Bob mentioned that a draft for community policing -- with emphasis on prevention -- had been around for FPSE for a number of years. Another person said that the approach had been used in other cities to create trust between citizens and police, rather than an adversarial relationship. In such a program, the police would begin to interact with children and adults to get to know them and help them, rather than just be the law enforcers. Dan Scott reported seeing an incident where it looked like the officer's action intimidated a youngster. Smith said that anyone could call Capt. Rechtein at 444.0100 with suggestions about doing COPS programs.

Adjournment:

   The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Prepared by Joan Botwinick, Secretary.