October 14, 2009 PCIC Minutes (Re-posted from PLEX-Watch)
(Note: any errors in these minutes are unintentional and you have my apologies. Corrections are welcome!)

Next PCIC, November 11, 2009 ・7:00 p.m. Staybridge Suites, 1000 Genesee St. (downstairs) (Minutes taken by Kristin Runyon, MacClurg absent.)

We started at precisely 7:00 p.m., as ya・all know how strict I am. First, we mocked MacClurg, as she was not there and, well, that's what we do (and she will probably not be there on Vets Day, Nov 11 due to a conflict). But then we got down to business.


Standing Room Only. First of all, tonight's meeting was standing room only for the first time in months!! Twenty-nine folks signed in. I will add the new names to our database and then send them to my sometimes - secretary for official entry.

All the bad things that happened in the last month. Several robberies, a shooting that may have been domestic related as the suspects were told to be two females with children in the car, and one reported robbery/shooting that appears to actually be someone who shot themselves in the foot and then told us a tale to cover for his own stupidity.

About the protest. Georgia Nesmith expressed concern for the roughness cops showed people she perceived to be non-violent・ This was met by some who felt the police should have been rougher. We tabled the issue as it could have gone on all night. Frances thanked me for that.

Recent violence on Plymouth Ave and the parking of the police van there in response. There is a thought among some residents that we are responding to the area more now because the U of R is in the area and they seem・to warrant more protection than the folks who have lived there all along. Larry Quinn was present tonight and addressed this issue very eloquently. In essence, maybe it is so, but lets embrace that and take it even farther by getting more stuff for our neighborhood. U of R has been a hot topic ever since they moved in to the neighborhood. We need to open our arms to them because they can help us out; they have money that the city simply does not. That does not mean that they can come in and change our neighborhoods in a way we dont want, or make things worse. There was much talk about the community expressing concerns and wants, but developers and politicians doing what they want anyway. My opinion is that we keep fighting and telling people what we want, and maybe we can use my new training as a tool for that.


Recent Training. Officer Vinny Agnone and Kristin were recently trained in CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Some cities call for CPTED evaluations before any new construction begins. CPTED checks for potential problems and tries to correct them before they occur. Sounds daunting, but it is really not when done systematically. It is a program that intends to reduce crime and increase personal perception of safety.


Neighbors of 19 South. We also talked about the resurrection of the group Neighbors of 19 South・which would be an umbrella group to support the street and block clubs from Brooks to Genesee Valley Park, the River to the Canal. The first meeting is October 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Staybridge Suites. I passed out flyers with this info.


Thurston Rd Public Safety Meeting. I also encouraged people to attend Adam McFaddens Thurston Rd Public Safety Initiative meeting on October 28, 2009 at the Presbyterian Home on Thurston at 7:00 p.m.

Music. At some point during the meeting, music was piped in and we all had to yell a little to hear each other. A couple volunteers went to the front desk to alert Hotel staff. They couldn't seem to stop it. It eventually stopped after a half hour or so. None of us missed a beat though!

Awesome Meeting. In a final note, what an awesome meeting that was tonight. We were done with the lecture portion・ even with the extended comments about the protests and Plymouth Ave. by 7:35, but then we all talked for another hour. We are moving away from the police tell us what happened・style and into a real round table/ lets discuss and fix our problems・kind of meeting. I think we are going to get more done this way.

Thank you all for your participation. As each meeting passes, I hope to decrease the amount of time I talk by ten minutes, unless it is answering a question or in a brainstorming session.

Thanks all!
Officer Kristin Runyon
Rochester Police Department
Southwest NSC
923 Genesee St.
Rochester, NY, 14611
(585)428-7635
kr0615@cityofrochester.gov