PAC 2 Meeting
Monday, February 9, 2009
Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center
2107 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27704
6:00 to 8:00 p m
Facilitators:
Self Introductions
Community Concerns:
Solid Waste left a recycle bin in the middle of the street and the resident is disabled. This happened at 2500 Ridgeway Road. Cynthia Watts-Mebane will check into this and see if this resident meets the criteria for individual consideration and bins should never be left in middle of street for anyone.
Increase of cars being vandalized in the middle of the night in the section of West Hill and Byrd Road off Sparger Road. Police have not been patrolling that area recently. Residents were reminded that stolen items cannot be returned to you unless you know the serial number of the item stolen. This is very important. Police will increase the patrol there. Cheryl Shiflet told us about a device you can get from Radio Shack called a “Drive Way Monitor.” It is not expensive and you put the device on your bedside table and it will let you know of any activity going on during the night.
Resident of Azalea Park requests a member of the Gang Unit to contact her.
Eno Trace: They have had an increase of breaking in cars and back doors recently. They would like more police patrols, but they have started taking notice of suspicious activity and strangers in the neighborhood and reporting this when it happens. They are getting to know their neighbors better and banding together to put a stop to this.
Edison Johnson reports they have had several car break-ins recently with two this afternoon. They requested more police patrols.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES:
Durham Parks and Recs: Audrey Gill and Anne Harris: The Armory downtown has finally been reopened. It is available for rental. Someone is usually there on Tuesday and for an appointment, call 560-4355 between 9:00 and 4:00.
Teen Night at Edison Johnson continues to be a big hit with young people. Admission is free and food and entertainment is provided. Cheryl Shiflett suggested they advertise this at Northgate Mall. There is a Kiosk near the center of the Mall that allows you to post notice of events. They also handed out a flyer of the Program Expo on February 21, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:00. They are offering free “Trial sessions” of all their programs.
Cynthia-Mebane Watts, Community Relations Coordinator: There is a Home Ownership workshop being held on 2-21-09. Contact her at Cynthia.mebane-watts@… for further information. If you have concerns about abandoned vehicles or weedy lots contact her.
Captain Larry Smith: Durham Police Department: The Police Department had a new initiative to track repeat offenders who are committing most of the crimes reported. Many of these are already on probation and have been discharged from jail by mistake. They are putting out information on the top 10 repeat offenders and ask us to keep our eyes open for these folks. Two of the top 10 are STARS participants and should not be back on the street. The initiative is find out how this happening and put a stop to it.
Durham Animal Control, Cindy Bailey: They have a new building on Glenn Road. She stressed to everyone to report loose dogs in our neighborhoods. It is illegal for a dog to run loose in the City. It is a felony to keep one if you find it.
Jim Soukup, Director 911: By implementing the use of the non-emergency # 560-4600, they are now answering 94% of the 911 calls by the 3rd ring or less. This is up from 90%.
PROGRAM: Crime Stoppers: Marty is the Director. The phone number is 683-1200. Marty has been with the Police Department for 15 years. This program began in 1970 and in Durham since 1983. It was evident from the presentation that Marty loves his job and is dedicated to this cause.
CrimeStoppers is non-profit and survives on donations. The main purpose of this organization is to provide information to the Police Department to allow them to make an arrest for a crime. An informant can be paid if an arrest is made. All information taken is done anonymously. C S is a caretaker of information which they pass on to the Police. 40 criminals were captured thru C S last year. Two main reasons for someone to contact C S is retaliation or they need money. It is governed by a Board who meets every third Tuesday. The Board sets the amount to be paid for each case.
With this program and the Initiative from the Police Department of the top 10 offenders, PAC members can be a great resource by being diligent and observing behavior in our neighborhoods. The results are less crime and safer neighborhoods. Everyone wins!!!
Carolyn Best
Secretary, PAC2