Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on October 28, 2010 at 1:05pm

Judi-
are your booklets similar to the information in the "start/join a block club" link at the top of the Location19 webpage? If not, I wonder if we can add your information to what is already located here... You are absolutely right that we don't need to reinvent the wheel!!
Donna-
if it would help to know how Marlborough got started, I would be happy to share some history and details including my impression of what works/doesn't work. Likewise, there are others on this list who are experienced block clubs leaders, originators, members, etc..... if needed, you may want to start a new discussion re: the topic.

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Permalink Reply by Eleanor Coleman on October 28, 2010 at 11:22pm

In Location19, there is also a "How to start a Block Club" overview under the "Block Club" tab.

One of the key things about a Block Club is to make sure you're finding positive things to connect around as well as handling challenges. Too often Block Clubs form because of a crisis and when the crisis is over, people let down their guard. We have to do things to get to know each other better. If you live on my street, I don't have to have dinner with you, but I should know your name. (I'm still working on this!) I believe in the saying, "The greatest deterrent to crime is to know your neighbor." Kris Runyon also noted that we tend to engage the folks across and down the street; don't forget the neighbors behind you; they could be very helpful and watchful.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on October 29, 2010 at 1:17am

I agree completely in KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR. On each side of your house, across the street, behind your street. That is why I have been attempting to form E2 Block Club as it is a block that does exactly that.

It is a long process, as I have been at it two years now. I have found some tips and treasures, and it will continue to be a building process for at least another year. It is time-consuming, as you have to walk the streets and talk and have meetings, and if you have three people at the first one, it is a start. You build from there. I found the best response after that from holding free hot dog cookouts in the summer, with sign-up sheets. John and Marian Boutet were great help in getting this going on my street, even though they live on Melrose. John volunteered as a cook! I am not suggesting you rely on them but they are a great resource for advice. I started by talking with Margy Meath first, as she knows what works and what doesn't for starting a block club. I think we can use a mailing list for all block club coordinators, so we can do things together should we find an occasion, and to keep informed.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Reigelsperger on October 28, 2010 at 12:07pm

Donna-I live a couple of houses from Jodi and we would love to have Post and Virginia join forces. Jodi has the flyers and we will be distributing them this weekend. We have tried to get be together on Virginia Ave, but it has been difficult. We had a Block Club BBQ this summer and we were hoping to get more people there, but couldn't. Hopefully, if we can join forces this may make the difference. We were hoping to start having Block Club meetings more regularly and hoping to become connected with the school on Congress.

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Permalink Reply by Jodi Maurer on October 28, 2010 at 9:31pm

Hi Donna. I know that Stephanie replied to you, but I feel like I should as well since you addressed this to me. As Stephanie mentioned, I have fliers that her and I will bring door to door sometime this weekend (we just haven't connected yet to decide when). Unfortunately, I can't check out this site from work. Tomorrow I'm at work til 4pm, and my email address there is JMaurer@caldwellmfgco.com. Please feel free to email me there because sometimes that's the best place to get me (as sad as that may be). So far, I have been frustrated with the lack of response from our street as a block club, so hopefully if we can get some folks from Post involved, maybe more people on Virginia would be apt to join us. Looking forward to chatting with you more, and meeting you.

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Permalink Reply by Eleanor Coleman on October 28, 2010 at 11:13pm

I always wondered why the MCC Criminal Justice students couldn't be assigned Court Watch as a field study. Especially ones that live in the area so that they might continue afterwards.

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Permalink Reply by Judi Baker on October 29, 2010 at 3:36pm

Funny you should *wonder* Eleanor, but I did give a Court Watch presentation at MCC downtown to a Criminal Justice class. In fact several students did contact me about cases, but they were only needed to complete assignments. Several did attend court hearings a few times but like I said, for assignments only. I also tried to engage U of R students who live in the PLEX area, but we can see where that lead. We gave criminal cases priority when U of R students and professors had been attacked and arrests made. Strong Impact Letters were written and presented to defense attorneys, Assistant DA's and Judges prior to sentencing in these cases. Several of the judges who attended the recent Public Safety meeting were extremely lenient with defendants who had committed gross crimes in our community. I am not just speaking matter of factly either because I still have the defendants folders, running court appearance logs, (3) annual Court Watch reports as well as copies of the data base we maintained. In fact there were a few cases where ADC's were later arrested on more serious crimes/charges, or were murdered as a result of their criminal lifestyles.

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Permalink Reply by Judi Baker on October 29, 2010 at 9:20pm

Court Watch is no longer in existence

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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on October 30, 2010 at 2:01am

It is being revived Judi ! Here is the note from Kristin from the 5-12-10 PCIC minutes:
CourtWatch
My intern, Kaila, has got CourtWatch back up and running. We have a new website, www.swcourtwatch.org Check it out, she did a great job. We are in need of volunteers. The hours are flexible, there is no limit or minimum commitment required, and it can immediately benefit our community. You can apply on the website, or call me and I will mail you an application. We are working on getting parking fees donated, but that is still in the works.

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Permalink Reply by Donna Sarnacki on October 28, 2010 at 11:28am

Margy-we on Post Avenue are very upset about what happened. I live 4 houses down from Paul's house. Unfortunately he was a very quiet person and many of us on Post did not know him. (I, in fact, never saw him even though I live very close and am outside a lot and feel that I am pretty nosey). The police did talk to many of us but the story seemed to center around his church and job - not on the neighbors. One of the neighbors was on Channel 13. Others were interviewed but were not on the TV, only the family that he cared for.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on October 28, 2010 at 12:02pm

Donna-
I imagine that you and your neighbors are quite traumatized by this! I know neighbors on my street who are still traumatized by the shooting we had on our corner 3 years ago!! If there is anything that we can do to offer support to you/your neighbors please let us know.
I'm curious about whether you agree with Chief Moore's statement about not having issues on Post? I am pretty sure that i've read from others on Post that there have been concerns with kids loitering, harassment, robberies, etc. I am not taking issue with the Chief as his comment may have been taken completely out of context but I am concerned about this somewhat constant refrain of: "this is generally a quiet, nice neighborhood except for _____________".

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Permalink Reply by Georgia NeSmith on October 29, 2010 at 12:34am

Post is a very long street, as are most north/south running streets in this neighborhood.

At the Chili end of Post (the business section) there are ongoing problems. We don't hear much about the middle of Post and down further. When the Chief says "this is a quiet street" he may not be referring to the entire street.

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