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ESTFIELD LOFTS TENNANTS ASSOCIATION
CG Opens meeting with introduction of LT. Day and Officer DeAndrade who were asked here after last meeting.
Knowing there time is short they should begin the meeting for us.
CG/ LTD discuss crime statistics and the difference between calling in (which is not presented in the crime statistics) v an actual report (which is a written record produced by an officer as the result of a call/ crime)
CG asked to see a copy of actual calls RE: WFL as well as actual crime reports as they will help to get a better idea of the types of activity taking place here.
LTD would email these stats ASAP
LTD suggested majority of crimes in this area are by prostitutes, drug users and larcenist. It is important to know this in order to respond to it. In other words, these people are looking for money or things to sell for money to buy drugs. Which means, be smart and try not to make your vehicle a target. Remove valuables, cell phones, GPS, etc DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR VEHICLE. DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING IN SIGHT that would suggest you might have something in your vehicle.
LTD noted that thieves will sell anything including ripping the copper pipe out of peoples homes to sell for scrap. They are crafty.
CG Asked LTD for suggestion on what can we do?
LTD suggested knowing who is on your property, who your neighbors are, keeping an eye out for strangers that do not belong is only easy to do if we know who are neighbors are.
Other good deterrents are the new security cameras, well-lit parking lots and side roads.
It is better to keep things illuminated all night.
You can also call LTD on her cell phone or the PVD general number. Even if she is not working, she can usually get someone to check things out.
Her number is 401.273.3121
PVD number is 401.272.1111
Every time you see activity that does not look right, call her or the police GENERAL number. Unless, it is an emergency or critical, then you should call 911. They will take all calls seriously and get to every call as time warrants.
Also, LTD said you could always email her with questions and issues, etc.
Her email is mday@providenceri.com
Police shifts from 11pm to 7am usually see the most crime. Weekends are busier.
Staff for our district on this shift is usually 3-4 patrolling the area.
LTD also suggested a tenant email list where she could send information and because this is a new association, it will take some time to send a message to the neighborhood.
CG activity will remain low with good police presence and safety measures in place.
LTD gives and example of revolving door politics of prostitution as it is a misdemeanor and prostitutes are back on the streets the same day.
LTD stated PVD is a great city with many areas up and coming.
KG from 2005-2006 there has been a reduction in crime.
KG the new cameras are up and running with digital DVD playback to capture every movement made out there. It is a policy that only law enforcement and FRM can view the tapes.
CG asked KG if Brian reviews tapes. KG says he does, but unless something is reported, it is quite possible he will not be able to go through an entire weekend of tape to find out what has been going on.
REPORT ALL ACTIVITY SO THAT FRM CAN RESPOND AND EVEN SEE IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN CAUGHT ON TAPE DOING SOMETHING THEY SHOULD NOT BE…
KG report to FRM with specific details so that Brian can find, see and record the activity.
KG also confirmed the video cameras are operational.
GARY asked LTD about the liquor store activity and licensure.
LTD noted licensing is every year for all liquor stores. However, there is not much issue for the liquor store as there are very few problems of loitering or anything else going on there.
THEA has been in contact with the owner and the owner wants to work with the neighborhood. He is generally considered a good neighbor willing to help.
Other issues at that particular corner are signage, stop signs, traffic lights, double sided parking, etc that all work to let police and citizens be aware of what is and is not allowed there.
THEA is working around the back to school schedule to provide more impact to her requests for traffic and transportation department involvement.
KG- Was confirming that we are in District 4.
THEA also said this information is online
LTD and Officer DeAndrade exchange cards w/ KG to review the video set up for area coverage as video can be helpful also to crimes committed locally that drive by Westfield.
CG (EVERYONE) thanks LTD and OFFICER DEANDRADE for their time. It was very informative and helpful.
CG approval of last month’s minutes
Approval is noted. Minutes are accepted.
KG new parking stickers are working better.
THEA wanted to know if stickers were checked during the day.
KG activity is lighter during the day due to many visitors in the building. Visiting nurses, youth programs, etc.
KG towing usually takes place after 5pm when it becomes more necessary to have spaces available to tenants returning home from work, etc.
THEA/ KG expressed concerns of posting actual license plates due to the possibility of children may be driving these cars. Plate numbers due to privacy issues and safety of everyone.
CG noted this and would no longer post these plate ids on the blog.
AMBER asked what Brian would do about towing during night meetings or functions in the community room
KG meeting attendees can park on Sprague St. during day events or in visitor lot during night meetings. This however is a work in progress as even guest spaces are limited.
THEA holds many programs during the day including neighborhood youth programs and board meetings and orientations.
GARY does not like to park in adjacent lot, as it does not feel safe and secure.
CG there are lot concerns including unsupervised children playing around the cars.
GARY the lot is uncomfortable if you have to pass by the liquor store at night with many drunks, beer bottles, people sitting on steps, etc.
KG the gates were put in because liquor store attendees were sitting on the steps. If you see this you should call LTD or general police number. (SEE ABOVE)
KG talks of the kids in the parking lot not being too much of a problem
THEA says that the kids need places to play other than the street.
CG notes that these kids are “up to no good” as they are really young adults without supervision and as such can find trouble.
GB a parking lot is not a good place for kids to play and it can lead to damage (unintentional or not) to cars parked in the lot.
GARY where is the closest park?
CG lately, FRM has been keeping a good close eye on the lot during the day.
CG what is the status on the return of Jim Puchta?
KG Jim will no longer be working for FRM as his hand has not completely healed.
If in the future, his hand is better, FRM will, with opportunity, be glad to welcome him back.
David Urban (a FRM employee) will become full time here at Westfield as soon as his old position is filled at another FRM site.
CG What can we say about the adjacent lots and neighborhood? There is noticeable unkempt land, vacant lots, sidewalks, weeds, glass, trash etc in the neighborhood that needs to be taken care of. It reflects poorly on the neighborhood and disvalues our own efforts.
AW West Elmwood is to address these concerns, but I am participating as a tenant tonight and not an employee of WEHDC.
GB There are people who watch for occasions to act and if they see that the neighborhood does not care for its own and adjacent property, then they may see this as opportunity to hang out as they will also not be noticed. The adjacent property, in its current state sends a message to anyone passing by that the neighborhood is not on top of the situation. It then, can become a target for transience.
GM Other neighborhood concerns are speeding traffic, pedestrian safety…
KG Crosswalks require a lengthy process of surveys and criteria to become approved. I am not sure the criteria would be met due to the lack of pedestrians going across at the corner of Westfield and Dexter to the adjacent parking lot.
AW There is a timeline in place for this type of cleanup
KG Although FRM has done things for WEHDC regarding the adjacent buildings; this does not fall directly under FRM jurisdiction. These issues would fall more under the property owner, which is WEHDC.
GB also of note that the sewer drains are clogged and do not drain when it rains. This causes pooling and the entire corner of Sprague and Dexter fills up with water. There is also no curb cut on the adjacent lot side of the parking lot. This makes it impossible for a wheelchair to leave the Westfield Loft side of Dexter Street and get back on the curb on the adjacent lot side. In order to get back to the curb, the person in the wheelchair must follow along the street and enter in where the cars do.
On Sharon Conard Wells
CG I put her on the agenda as I feel her involvement and responses to these meetings, our emails, and blog has been unsupportive, lacking and short.
KG SCW is a busy woman with many many projects all moving forward at the same time. She is working on single-family home projects, the adjacent property projects, neighborhood revitalization projects, board meetings (of which there is one tonight which she is attending) it becomes difficult to be as responsive as she may like.
KG The blog is an uncomfortable not always positive forum. She does not want her emails posted on your blog. SCW is not comfortable with the Internet and does not want to become part of your blog.
KG She is open and receptive to new ideas and would like to be more a part of all projects.
YK Working for a non-profit can be extremely demanding and intense
TL She comes representing WEHDC and SCW as they work closely together all the time.
On Flyers and Notification on Doors
All in agreement that there needs to be a better way to notify tenants of timely and pertinent information as when tenants are not home, the flyers remain on the doors of tenants who are not their to collect the information. Thus the apartment is flagged as being unoccupied. These flyers can remain on doors for days and weeks in some cases letting passersby know that there is no one inside.
AW When I go away for a while, I let Brian in the office know, so that he can take care of these types of things and not leave flyers on my door.
KG Perhaps we need to get emails from tenants in order to be able to notify people in this way also.
GB I think a paper copy and email copy TOGETHER would be beneficial to catch any information. But the flyers, etc cannot be left on the doors.
KG also could get permission to enter to leave flyers on the floor inside your apartment. This may require a bit of thought, but it may be good to notify Brian on your preferences to this.
KG this is also a good reason to post everything on the community bulletin boards.
TL it is also a good reason to meet your neighbors, introduce yourself and ask them to watch your apartment when you are out of town.
AW Brian usually knows which apartments are vacant and keeps flyers on the doors with tenants
GB unless weekend staff delivers messages for Brian. They do not have a list of occupied or unoccupied apartments?
CG Is there office staff every Saturday now?
GB is this office staff or a leasing agent? This needs to be clear to tenants which ever the case as tenants have office concerns that cannot be handled by the leasing agent. Expecting office help from a leasing agent may not be any help at all.
CG Is there weekend maintenance staff on duty?
KG Weekend maintenance staff is not in the budget.
GB This is important as this place looks like a bomb hit some Saturday and Sunday mornings. I am not sure how a leasing agent can lease an apartment with the grounds full of weekend trash.
KT Can the plant waterer help with the weekend trash?
KG This is not possible and not in the budget.
KG It is important to realize that to understand a property completely, you should go through each season with that property and gain the knowledge necessary to take care of the property and grounds.
GB I think it would be good to build community pride and take “ownership”-like responsibility by allowing the tenants to take part in some of the activities such as a landscaping committee or a social committee, etc. These would be good ways also to get to know your neighbors also.
TL WEHDC runs youth programs that could be put into place for landscaping projects and other community wide events. This is a paid position available in the summer for all interested youth 13 and over. WEHDC gives priority to interested teens at Westfield Lofts and in the community.
PASS THIS INFORMATION ON
KG there is a new answering service. They are more professional answer the phone identifying themselves and generally much better than the last service.
CG noticed the spotlights out on the main telephone adjacent to the Dexter street entrance.
CG also interested in presenting committee positions and elections in the future.
GB it is a good idea, but may be better implemented if we get to know our neighbors through a few social and neighborly gatherings. I would like to put together a building wide cookout, where we will provide a grill for tenant use. This would be a good opportunity to have people come down and cook some food and meet your neighbors.
TL there may be some money available to help with this or at least provide the grill and charcoal.
GB this would be helpful. We could also use this as an opportunity to get donations together to cover cost of newsletter etc.
TL there may be foundations and grants available to help with this also.
KG would also like to help and even provide a grill for this event. It would be a good opportunity to get to know the tenants and perhaps even pass out some questionnaires to see what tenants are thinking and get some feedback. KG will help CG with these questionnaires and can email example flyers to review.
Everyone thinks the Grill would be a good opportunity to gather and meet your neighbors.
DATE IS SET FOR THURSDAY SEPT 13TH (5:30 – 7:30 pm)
RAINDATE Saturday, 15th Sept (4:30-6:30)
We provide the grill you bring the meat!
CG we all have to be mindful of what is going on in the building. We would like to change the day of the next meeting to have new people here who cant make it on Mondays.
Next meeting:
WEDNESDAY September 12th.
SEE YOU THERE.
