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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on March 24, 2009 at 10:26pm

I think it is past time to say we have had enough. Let's have Zero Tolerance, let's have a police car on Thurston at all times. I don't get it. (?) Most likely it was a drug-related shooting, but at 11:30 AM? Maybe not, so I should not make assumptions. In any case, the police have little influence on this type of crime. There is nothing they can do, except come in afterwards to try to figure out who did it.

Neighbors perhaps can help make a difference. Start a block club. Walk PAC TAC, have a telephone tree. This may not prevent such incidents, but can help the police in solving if people are aware of their neighbors and what is happening on their street.

I am planning on starting a block club this spring for the Enterprise/Ellicott block, wrapping around Post and Thurston. I suggest you think of a block club if there is not one on your street. Everyone should know their neighbors, who belongs there, and who does not. And everyone should look out for their neighbors.

Call Kristin Runyon, our Crime Prevention Officer, if you want suggestions, at the NSC office: 428-7630.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on March 26, 2009 at 6:53pm

I am very surprised at the lack of discussion/response to what happened on THurston. Just one reply from Mark..... and no discussion of this on the 19th ward Yahoo group. I am not sure what to make of the silence.....
Today the police are reporting that the shooting was 'targeted'. They reported the same thing with almost every other shooting we've had in the neighborhood including the one that happened last summer. I suppose this is said to try and help people feel more comfortable/safe yet it does not offer me any comfort at all. I imagine that MOST shootings/murders/assaults ARE targeted but that doesn't make me feel any better about the fact that it's happening. It doesn't matter to the kids at the Y whether the shooting was random or targeted.
What matters is that people are getting killed in our neighborhood. What matters is that it is (seemingly) so common that we comfort ourselves by saying "it was targeted, I'm not in danger" (as if that should be our only concern). What matters is that Thurston Road and the areas adjacent have become trash strewn and are known areas to buy drugs. What matters is that a shooting in broad daylight appears to bring forth lots of on-lookers but few witnesses.
I am very interested in knowing what others think about this and how others are feeling.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on March 27, 2009 at 11:16pm

Sheri,

Don't say "you don't think you will be shot," because you even said you were at one spot moments before a shooting happened. Bullets do not always hit their intended targets. Anyone on the street or even in their house can be hit by a stray bullet. I am not saying this to be an alarmist, or frighten people, but it is a fact.

I also agree that there has been little progress. The RPD is doing what they can.

I have suggested what 19th Ward residents reasonably can do --- start a block club, know your neighbors, keep an eye on the street. JB as the new president of the 19th Ward Community Association is actively working with that group to do just that. It will take some time. You live in an area with an extremely active block club, and I would urge others to please consider doing what you can --- even if only joining --- if someone asks about starting a block club in your area of the 19th Ward.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on March 31, 2009 at 4:23am

You are right. Some simple solutions in addition to block clubs have been suggested by a member of the 19th Ward Community Association. A "Crime Corner Sit," if you will. There are five corners identified as problem areas. A resident has proposed we all get our lawn chairs and sit there one night. A schedule and proposal may be developed soon. We are working with the NSC office on this, and will have PAC TAC involvement. More details to follow as plans unfold.

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Fasolo on March 31, 2009 at 3:00pm

That is a terrific idea!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on April 1, 2009 at 4:21am

Have followed up on this, and PAC TAC will not be involved, as I understand. The NSC will just be advised when we want to do this, so they are aware of it. It will be open to all area residents. Basically, it will be a neighborhood effort. Once dates and places are announced, any area resident is urged to bring a lawn chair and hang out. Plans are in initial development so anyone with ideas or who want to commit to involvement are invited. I think this is a summer event, so we have time to plan. Maybe schedule through the 19th WCA? Details to follow.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on April 1, 2009 at 11:19pm

The first Corner Sit is tentatively scheduled for May 1 at Thurston and Rosalind, from 4-8 PM. There will possibly be a hot dog BBQ --- details to follow. This was discussed at the 19th Ward Communiy Association Public Safety Committee meeting last night. Stay tuned!

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Fasolo on April 2, 2009 at 3:29am

I would love to go, I have to work. If any are held on a Friday I don't work, I'd love to do it.

Permalink Reply by Marian Boutet on April 2, 2009 at 1:35pm

The homicide on Rosalind Street happened next door to the house where a dear friend lived for nearly 40 years before she died last year. She was smart, funny, and she loved this neighborhood. She would have been devastated had she still been alive when it happened, and in a way I'm grateful she wasn't here to witness it. She also would have been mad as heck and would not have just stood by wringing her hands.

Coincidentally, several members of the 19th Ward Yahoo! list have expressed interest in doing what we've started to call "Corner Sits" at or near selected intersections to make our presence known and let everyone else know that the bad guys DO NOT own our streets. We are in the early planning stages to hold the first one on May 1st near the corner of Thurston Road and Rosalind Street, the site of the recent homicide. We would have, for example, hot dogs, coffee, etc. to share and start a conversation with passers-by.

If you would like to join us, please send me an e-mail at mlboutet@frontiernet.net. Marian

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on April 4, 2009 at 1:44am

Just a reminder, when you see those daffodils coming up this week, in the community garden, they are for Doris, at the corner of Thurston and Ravenwood. She was a true believer in the 19th Ward, a wonderful person with wit and great knowledge, a true friend ... and miss her deeply. Let's continue with her vision as the ward for a great place for diversity, and wish her well. She is missed by all who knew her. We planted 200 daffs in the Community Garden in rememberance for Doris, and thank all those who help keep the garden maintainted.

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 3, 2009 at 9:11pm

The episode of Crime 360 "In Plain Sight" of this killing aired tonight. Link Here.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on August 29, 2010 at 11:47pm

In case you missed it in Sunday's D&C, there was an article on 3B about a "Family Shaken Again by Violence."

"At 1:30 Saturday morning, shots rang out on a city street, and a family ravaged by violence lost another loved one. Kentrel Boone, 20, of Greece was found on Wren St. near Lexington after an altercation that neighbors described as a mix of shouting and gunfire.

The shooting came just two days after a 24-year-old man was given a maximum prison sentence for the slaying of Boone's cousin, Christopher Rogers, was was 22 when he was shot and killed on Rosalind St. in March 2009.

"I'm losing all my family members, and I don't know what's gonna happen, if it's gonna be me or my brother next, said Boone's brother, 14-year-old Shawn Gaines, through tears." The victim has been shot several times.

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