2/10/2003 Partners Against Crime District II Meeting Minutes
PAC2 task forces
Spending update
Neighborhood Watch update
Courtwatch
GIS/Housing data
ABC permits
Lighting requests
Impact Team update
Summer youth program
Solid Waste update
Animal Control update
Durham Voter Coalition wish list
Coffee with Council
Walltown community center
PAC2 task forces: After the introductions, Katherine announced the formation of some task forces to work on specific areas of interest to PAC2. These task forces will study the issues and come up with an action plan. Sign-up sheets were circulated for the Housing, Animal Control, and Neighborhood Watch task forces. Anyone who is organizing Neighborhood Watch in their own neighborhood, and would like to participate in a district-wide task force to coordinate with other neighborhoods and share ideas, should contact Lori Harris at ellephai@aol.com or 688-3720.
Spending update: Newman brought us this update on the projects PAC2 had recently voted to fund. PAC2 gets an annual grant from the Durham Police Department, which is part of a federal block grant they receive. This grant is structured to diminish over time; starting last year, PAC2 received $5000, down from $8000. Expenditures must meet guidelines dictated by the terms of the federal grant; consequently, proposed expenditures that have been approved by PAC2 then go through a process of approval by the grants coordinator. Applications for project funding are welcome at any time throughout the year; such applications will be considered by PAC2, and if approved by the membership, sent on to the police department coordinator.
Most of the expenditures we voted on for last year’s budget have been funded. The laptop computer and projector have been purchased; Officer Hester has them and is using them. Old North Durham’s CPTED project on Trinity Ave. has been funded and completed. PAC2 funding paid for the materials, and the labor was contributed by members of the OND neighborhood association. The result was very successful and looks great; check it out on the 300 block of Trinity. The curriculum for the reentry program has been funded, but we don’t have a current status report on whether it has been received. Two items we approved have not yet been funded. The $900 worth of cable to get the gun registry database up and running is awaiting a letter from the county. The Crimestoppers contribution has also not been funded, but will be. That should leave us with around $4000 to be spent by next June. We are still reserving $2500 (the same amount pledged by each of the other PACs) for the nuisance abatement attorney. Whether this money will definitely be needed remains to be seen, as it may be handled by the city attorney’s office.
Neighborhood Watch update: Officer Eric Hester reported a well-attended Neighborhood Watch organizational meeting on Denver Ave. on February 3rd. Anyone who wants to get Neighborhood Watch started in their neighborhood should contact Officer Hester at the District 2 substation; the DPD will provide pamphlets and information, and Officer Hester will come out and meet with the neighborhood. What you’ll need to come up with is at least 50% participation from each block, volunteers to serve as block captains, neighborhood maps, and phone trees.
Neighborhood Watch tends to become dormant when there’s no crisis at hand. Part of an ongoing effort to breathe new life into our area’s Neighborhood Watch programs is the new sign design, which should be presented at our next meeting. Additional qualifications for the deployment of the new signs will ensure that they signify an active Neighborhood Watch. Block captains are encouraged to attend PAC meetings. Volunteers for Courtwatch will also be sought from each neighborhood. When crimes are committed in our neighborhoods, the news of an arrest is frequently the last residents hear of it. Through Courtwatch, we can follow the eventual disposition of these cases, as well as decisions on bail and pretrial release. This program also provides for community representation in the judicial system.
The DBAC (Durham Businesses Against Crime) program is the counterpart of Neighborhood Watch within the commercial sector. Another important crime prevention effort is the Eyes and Ears program. DATA has just increased their participation in this program by 43 buses; drivers are trained in what to look out for, and they carry 800 megahertz radios like the ones the police use, so that they can contact the 911 center. Between now and March, Officer Hester will be putting together a list of block captains who are willing to act as police contacts. In the case of a crime in progress, police can use these contacts to disseminate information to the neighborhood via their phone tree.
Neighborhood Watch contributed to the apprehension of criminals in two recent incidents in Trinity Park. One was a vehicle B&E on January 19th. Capt. Clark stated that at that time, the Trinity Park neighborhood had been averaging three such crimes per week; since this arrest, there have been only two more.
Newman pointed out that Neighborhood Watch is also an essential component of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which focuses on eliminating gun violence. Programs like Stars, Courtwatch, etc. are great, but they depend on community participation—on us—to make them work. We look at what city departments are doing to reduce crime, but at the same time we need to ask ourselves: what are we doing?
Officer Hester will be holding a Neighborhood Watch meeting at Riverview on February 19th.
Last January in District 2, there were 54 B&Es; this January, there have been 68. Crime data from last year, to compare with this year so far, will be posted to the listserve shortly.
Katherine made the point that Neighborhood Watch not only prevents crime, but is important in building community as well. For example, during the recent ice storm, in areas with an active Neighborhood Watch, the block captains knew their neighbors, and could identify and check up on elderly residents who might need help. Katherine also shared some information she learned in a recent workshop at NC State; the top three considerations in deciding where to locate a new business are said to be the talent pool, access to capital, and finally, social capital—that is, the strong community bonds and sense of community to which Neighborhood Watch contributes.
Courtwatch: The next Courtwatch orientation meeting will be held February 20th, at 1 pm, in the community room at the main police station. Among the cases available to follow will be the B&E at 910 Gregson and the vehicle B&E at 1001 Monmouth.
GIS/Housing data: Katherine recalled the occasion seven years ago when Officer Scott had invited her to a presentation on Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It made quite an impression on her, and she now works as a GIS coordinator at NC State. Using data from the Housing Dept., Katherine gave us a brief demonstration of what GIS can do. It’s a way of looking at information spatially by displaying data on maps; it allows you to layer multiple categories of data on the same map and examine spatial relationships.
Using the housing inspection database from 2002, Katherine showed how GIS could be a useful tool for analyzing problems in District 2. The first map showed the locations of housing inspection reports in District 2. Some inspections were performed in response to citizen complaints, and others were initiated by housing inspectors. Subsequent maps broke down the reports into different categories of problem (vacant houses, weedy lots, abandoned vehicles, etc.), and identified ‘hot spots’ where the concentration of problems was greatest. The ‘hot spots’ in District 2 were in Northgate Park, Duke Park, Old North Durham, Old West Durham, and Walltown. Katherine also made the point that there may be equally serious problems elsewhere, as there is likely to be a higher rate of inspection in more active neighborhoods where residents are taking the initiative to complain to Housing about problem properties.
In a recent meeting with Housing and Community Development, each PAC was challenged to identify five problem properties in their district that Housing should focus on. A list was circulated tonight for suggestions.
The Housing database only shows seventeen vacant houses in District 2. This database, however, is still being added to; it doesn’t contain all the information yet because Housing is so short of inspectors, and existing staff are focusing on the worse problems in District 1. George Carter of the Housing Dept. explained that it is not illegal to own a vacant house, as long as the house is up to code. There are a number of vacant houses owned by out-of-town landlords. A Trinity Park resident cited the example of a property there , off the 400 block of Buchanan, that has been boarded up for ages, purportedly undergoing renovations, and has been used as a hideout and getaway for thieves. This is the type of issue that will be addressed by the new PAC2 housing task force. Carter mentioned another example of a vacant property, duplexes at 200-202 E. Club whose owner was finally persuaded to sell them after a lengthy and arduous struggle. The property is now being fixed up. The owners of vacant properties are forgoing potential rental income for years while paying property taxes. Housing doesn’t keep records on tax delinquency, but can do a title search to find out the tax status of a particular property. Katherine commented that it would be interesting to correlate the information from the housing database with information on tax delinquency. Newman stated that the city council is currently working with Housing on modifications to the legal process to expedite dealing with problem houses, so that they can be either fixed up or torn down sooner.
Someone asked what could be done when people are unable to get in touch with a property owner. The response was to bring it to the attention of the Housing Dept., and they will take steps to hunt down the owner. If the tenants (if any) are paying rent, or if the property taxes are being paid, then the owner must be somewhere. If Housing receives no response to a certified notice, they ultimately can put a lien on the property. Residents’ complaints to Housing do remain anonymous. Old West Durham posted a list of problem properties on its neighborhood website, which ultimately attracted media attention.
Katherine summed up by saying that community residents need to be educated about how the process works and what to expect once we’ve done our part and made complaints to the appropriate city departments. What are the steps, how long will it take, and what follow-up can we anticipate? Lynwood Best stated that the Community Relations Coordinators are being trained to go out and help deal with issues like abandoned vehicles and weedy lots. Several people made useful suggestions on dealing with a problem house in your neighborhood, including the following: Take pictures to document the problem. If you write to the owner or management company, cc the letter to Housing, or other relevant city agency. Send all communications by certified mail; this creates a ‘paper trail’ and provides proof of your efforts. Companies know that this sets up the basis for potential lawsuits; it can also be the groundwork for a prosecution in Community Life Court.
ABC permits: Katherine asked about a law effective in Raleigh which prohibits the granting of an ABC permit to any establishment within a certain radius (100 ft.? 500 ft.?) of a school or church. She asked whether this is a Raleigh, Wake County, or state regulation, and whether a similar law is in effect or is under consideration here in Durham. Officer Baker didn’t know the answer to this, but promised to find out and post the information to the listserve.
Lighting requests: Officer Scott reported on lighting installation requests submitted in the Denver Ave. and Riddle Park areas, and urged everyone else to check out their neighborhood lighting needs. If areas of your neighborhood seem dark now, they’ll be even worse when the leaves are back on the trees. If you need a light installed, contact Tony Scott at 560-4582, ext. 233. To get an existing light repaired, contact Tony Scott or contact Joan Apple or Terry Thompson at 560-4366.
Impact Team update: Mitch Archer reported on the work done by the Impact Team last month. 80 complaints were received and investigated, resulting in 21 trips to the transfer station with 10.67 tons of trash and debris. The Impact Team cleaned up 12 illegal dump sites with 14 trips to the transfer station. 13 trips were made from Oxford Commons and Northgate Mall. Locations targeted by the Impact Team included the 1300 block of Horton, the 500 block of East Carver, and the 2400 block of Stadium Drive. As usual, numerous shopping carts at large in the community were apprehended: 24 from Food Lion, 18 from Wal-Mart, 12 from Harris Teeter, 7 from K-Mart, 3 from Winn Dixie, 3 from Big Lots, 2 from Eckerd’s, and 1 from Rose’s. Archer also recalled that during the ice storm, he had received calls from Wal-Mart and from the Northgate Harris Teeter, reporting that they had no shopping carts left. Their missing carts are out there somewhere; if you see one, call it in to the Impact Team and they will come get it. In spring cleanup news, there will be no neighborhood cleanups because the Impact Team has no money to pay for them. When we meet with council next month, let them know we want these cleanups funded! The citywide cleanup has also been cut back, from 4 Saturdays to only 2. It will happen on April 5th and April 12th. You can bring stuff to the transfer station at no charge on these days; cars, pickups, and vans are OK, but no commercial vehicles are allowed. If you see illegal dumping in progress, try to take pictures, get license plate numbers, and report it to the Impact Team.
Summer youth program: This is a summer jobs program for youth ages 14-18 who are returning to school in the fall. Jobs are available in various city departments, including Parks & Recreation, the Impact Team, etc. There should be 500 jobs, but that may depend on funding availability. Applications will be out next Monday, and will be available in the Human Resources Dept. at City Hall or on the city website.
Solid Waste update: Solid Waste usually schedules neighborhood cleanup campaigns by request. This year, they have been forbidden to do any until after May due to lack of funds. Residents are requested to please be patient, and bring the matter before council.
Animal Control update: Ten dogs have been apprehended in the last three weeks in a target area around Lancaster and Sedgefield. No cat attacks have been reported in the last 4-5 weeks. Animal Control is working on getting dog pictures posted.
Durham Voter Coalition wish list: Melvin Whitley, DVC political director, who is also INC president and a PAC1 cofacilitator, introduced the DVC and their wish list. The Durham Voter Coalition registers voters and supports neighborhood issues, but does not endorse political parties or candidates. Their crime prevention wish list, taking a ‘broken windows’ perspective that blight attracts crime, identifies five areas where the DVC would like to see improvement.
Their first area of concern was nuisance housing. Whitley stated that getting a complaint through to a judge is an 18-step process, and a neighborhood organization must post a $1,000 bond. Three weeks ago, the DVC met with the city manager on this issue. She agreed to base the definition of nuisance housing on the frequency of police calls. She also agreed to ask landlords to include a criminal activity clause in their leases, giving them the right to evict tenants engaged in criminal activity. (The Durham Police Dept. has drawn up a model lease.) This makes landlords responsible for the activity in their properties. Starting in March, the city manager will be publicizing this recommendation to Durham landlords.
For vacant, boarded-up houses, the DVC would like to see a ‘use it or lose it’ policy. The city would board up a vacant house, cut the grass, and place a lien on the property. There is a proposed law in the works that would allow the city to place a lien not merely on the vacant property, but on any other property in the city of Durham owned by the same person, with the exception of their personal residence. The city manager has also agreed to set up a low-interest loan pool with banks for housing rehabilitation loans. Banks are federally required to invest in neighborhoods, but they aren’t doing so.
The DVC wants to see the creation of an inpatient drug treatment program. Currently, for someone with inadequate or no health insurance who has a drug problem and wants to change their life, the only available detox venue is to get sent to jail. It costs $54,000 to keep someone incarcerated for a year. This is also a county issue since the county controls mental health funding. Whitley addressed related DVC concerns about youth and the ‘revolving door’ of crime. The high dropout rate starts in 7th grade. Gangs and drug dealers use kids because they can’t be prosecuted as adults if they get caught.
Another source of urban blight is abandoned vehicles; the DVC is particularly concerned with illegal junkyards. These detract from the appearance of the community; they also attract crime by providing a venue for prostitution, drug dealing, and drug use. Their accessibility to kids makes them a public health hazard.
The DVC is asking the city to create a neighborhood development program with matching grants. The PACs are funded by a dwindling federal grant. The DVC wants the city to create a grant process wherein businesses can be asked to match the grants. Proposed criteria include community safety, beautification, etc. The city manager has committed to putting this into the budget.
Newman pointed out that these issues are all ones PAC2 has been working on for years. Whitley was asked his views on the TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers) program, and stated that he supports it. He said, however, that since TROSA is an alternative sentencing program, one must be sentenced to be eligible for it.
PAC2 voted unanimously to support the DVC wish list.
Coffee with Council: Next month’s PAC2 meeting will be a Coffee with Council. The leaders of all five PACs have met and come up with their top five citywide priorities. One of these is the funding of a ‘neighborhood college’ such as the one Raleigh has. This is a program for residents to learn about city processes and services; it would be free to participants. This useful program could be brought into existence for a mere $8000; the PACs are asking the city and the county to each put forth $4000 for it. Another top priority is the continued survival of the Impact Team. The city has been trying for some time to eliminate the illegal dumping program. Neighborhood cleanups have also been cut. We need to let the council know how important the Impact Team is, and that we want their work to continue and not to be cut. The city finds the money for big projects (like parking lots), but they keep cutting smaller things that directly impact neighborhood quality of life. Another priority from the PACs is 311, which is in the works.
Neighborhood organizations are asked to send their list of their neighborhood’s top five priorities to Newman. Newman and Katherine will present the top five items for District 2, plus the individual neighborhood lists. There likely won’t be time next month to discuss all our concerns, so it’s important to have them in writing to present to the council members. Don’t miss this opportunity to let council know what our priorities are.
Walltown community center: Walltown is organizing to get a new community center. Anyone interested is invited to attend two upcoming meetings on the subject, both to be held at the School of Science and Math. There will be a meeting on Tuesday, February 11 from 6 to 9:30 pm, and another on Wednesday, February 12 from 9 to 1:30 am. Refreshments will be served.
Adjourn