19th Ward Public Safety Committee, May 25, 2011

Present: Landy Atkinson, John Boutet, Marian Boutet, Lt. Ray Dearcop, Ann Marie Dinino, Lisa Elim, Berda Goff, Frances N. Johnson, Marcy Klein, Margaret Austin-Lowry, Adam McFadden, Betsy Romson, Richard Schaeffer.

We discussed door-to-door salesmen representing themselves as energy company representatives wanting to look at RG&E bill.  Lt. Dearcop reminded everyone that salespersons need a city permit to go door-to-door.  They seldom have a permit.  At best they are looking to switch the home owner over to their company.  If they have the RG&E account number they can do that and sometimes have been known to do it without the owner's knowledge.  At worst they may not be from an energy company at all and are just trying to get into the house.

Crime Reports

• Rugby Ave - Male black fired several shots at the intersection of Rugby and  Arnett  in the presence of an officer, whom he was unaware of.  Target was unknown.  When he realized the officer had seen him, he threw the gun onto the porch of house at Rugby and Arnett and ran.  Did not catch him, but did recover the gun. 
• Hobart Street shooting May 16.  Victim said he was taking out garbage when a Lexus pulled up and someone shot him in the abdomen.  Uncooperative.
• “Home invasion” on Thurston at Arnett.  Victim well known violent offender,  just released after 12 years in prison. He was lured to the house by the occupants who planned to rob him.  Neighbors heard shouting and called police.  One of the suspects was out on bail from a murder charge.
• Robbery May 19 Kenwood Ave 3pm. Victim pulling into driveway.  Suspect asked if he wanted to sell chain around his neck,  pulled gun when he refused. V. fought them off and suspects fled.  Victim waited 25 minutes before he called 911.
• May 22 attempted arson on 200 block of Inglewood Drive.  Molotov cocktail thrown onto porch, but didn’t ignite.  Victim known to police
• Tactical did 20 locations for tobacco and alcohol sales in SW quadrant.  None out of compliance.

Other

• When crime information is discussed at meeting such as this one or at PCIC or in an e-mail  sent to us from the CPO's in preparation for these meetings, care must be taken with that information since it isn’t always ready for publication.   Don’t automatically post it to social media, or send it to newspapers, tv, radio, etc.  It is being shared with the local residents for their safety and awareness but broad distribution of the information may hamper an investigation if the criminals become aware of what the police know or are looking for.  Sometimes the information is preliminary and not completely reviewed or updated.  Example: the initial report of an “abduction” and rape of a teenage girl from a bus stop wasn’t entirely accurate.   Unfortunately, the story was publicized before the true situation was confirmed.
• Speeding on neighborhood streets was discussed.  Residents can report plate numbers and descriptions of speeders but that may not always result in their being ticketed.  When an officer writes a ticket for speeding, or any other offense, he must be able to testify in court, so he must have witnessed it. 
• Ann Marie Dinino reported motorcycle racing on Elmwood Avenue starting on weekend afternoons around 3pm..
• 32 Burglaries from April 27-May 24.  No clear pattern.  Small clusters Thurston/Wilton Terrace and Chili Avenue. 

Thurston Road Street Watch,  May 25, 2011

Police Contract has been settled without necessity of closing libraries and rec centers.

Trophy Cameras - Adam reported the 19WCA may take up pilot program modeled around Rugby / Melrose trophy cameras.  They would select target streets and initiate over the summer.

Liberty Pole – Adam has been there for the past 4 weeks with volunteers trying to keep the kids in check. - Bus passes have been changed so kids who don’t have to go downtown are now unable to do so.  Number of kids has dropped from 200-300 to 2-3 dozen. 

Midtown Plaza - Wrecking company is not wetting down the building at midtown plaza before knocking it down.  Much dust is flying around.  Adam has taken video and will report to OSHA.

Summer programs for kids - Adam said City Rec Center hours and meals for kids are expanded over the summer.    Betsy Roomson asked why schools are not open for children’s activities over the summer?    Children’s families could pay small fees for the programs to help cover the costs.  Adam said he would look into it but that it would probably not be possible for this year.
 
Chief Shepard has started a youth athletic league.

Crime Mapping and Volunteer Attorneys - Crime Mapping and attorneys assigned to prosecuting landlords who receive public assistance and allow illegal activities on their properties are on hold.

National Night Out  - Frances Johnson reminded the group that National Night Out was August 2.  Parade starts at  4:30PM at Wilson High School rear parking lot.

Thank-you to Marian Boutet for taking notes.