PAC 2 Meeting
Monday June 8, 2009
Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center
2107 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27704
6:00 to 8:00 p m
Facilitators:
Cheryl Shiflett
Self Introductions
Announcements:
Brochures have been reprinted and are available for pick-up. They provide detailed information about all 5 PAC groups in Durham and why they work.
We obtained $2000 in funding to upfit our PAC2 Website. David Christie is working on this and he would like you to contact him if you have any questions or suggestions for the Website. His phone # 919 389-3501 or email:dchristie@nc.rr.com.
Cynthia Watts-Mebane reports that Rick Hester has been assigned to a new position. She states the problem at 1010 Washington Street is being handled. The overgrown lot cannot be addressed because the owner lives out-of-state and they are trying to obtain contact information.
Questions were raised about Commercial property at Roxboro & Denfield, abandoned building and grounds over-grown as well as the Apartment complex on Cole Mill near Tommy’s Mini Mart. This is in Foreclosure and on hold. Many other projects are now stalled due to budget cuts.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES:
Solid Waste: Reports that major changes are being made in the Recycling System. This is now being handled in-house by the City. Large roll-out containers will be delivered over the next month. You may still use smaller bins if this works best or the bins may be recycled. They can also be used for collections and transfer into the roll-out bins. No longer necessary to separate items for recycling as everything goes into the same bin. There were lots of questions and they will report in more detail at the next PAC 2 meeting in July.
Parks and Rec. Marsha reported lots of activities going on at this time. A hand-out was provided with all the upcoming events. There are lots of opportunities available. The Senior Picnic will be held July 11 and not July 25 as reported in hand-out.
PROGRAM: Jim Soukup, Director of 911 Call Center reported on ways to improve our observation skills that will help in providing necessary information faster in emergencies. The first question asked when you Call 911 is made up of the 5 W’s. They are:
Where: Location of the emergency.
What: What is the problem?
When: Time it happened. (now: an hour ago etc.)
Who: Description of suspects.
Weapons: Do the suspects have weapons of any kind.
In describing suspects, observe starting at the top and go down. (facial hair, glasses, tattoos, complexion, scar marks, hat, what color, tie, coat, shirt pants/shoes.)Vehicles: auto make, model, color, license #, description of escape and time of departure. A tip of using CYMBAL to describe a vehicle is helpful. C color; Y year; M make; B body style; A additional info L license #.STAY ON THE PHONE “ DO NOT HANG UP.
Mr Soukup played an edited tape of an actual 911 call in which a break-in was in progress. This was a successful resolution in which the Police were there and made an arrest in just over 3 minutes and no one was injured.
Our Facilitators staged a program in which events were carried out during the meeting to see just how observant we were. Most of us failed. This was very interesting and should help us to be more observant and by doing so help stop some emergencies from becoming tragedies.
COMMUNITY CONCERNS:
Old North Durham neighborhood reported major problems with speeding. This includes City vehicles and School buses. They have observed 3 accidents in 2 weeks and 7 accidents to the same Fence. This is at Trinity and N Mangum. Police have always responded, but something must be done to curtail speeding on these Streets.
This problem is compounded by the fact that a lot of these streets are State maintained roads. Durham has over 200 miles of State maintained Streets and we must talk to our State legislators about the need for Traffic calming in many neighborhoods. PAC 2 District does have a speed trailer and when this is utilized it does help. But when the trailer is removed the traffic speeds up again. Parking an empty Police Car on the street is also a deterrent, but when it is removed, everyone speeds up again. Captain Smith reports they are aware of the problem. The corner of Roxboro and Club had 38 accidents in one year. NCSDOT is responsible for enforcing compliance on these streets. PAC 2 hopes to get funding to continue the Pace Car Program that has helped in many neighborhoods. Bombard our State representatives for a solution to this problem implementing the three Es, Enforcing, Education and Engineering. Write more Tickets.
A report was given about suspicious activity at the corner of Roxboro and Denfield. There is abarber shop, hairdresser and a BP Station with a lot of cars and people coming and going.
Also reported were potholes on Roxboro Road by Lowes and also on Club near the old K Mart Building. Again these streets are State maintained and the responsibility of DOT. Mike Woodard reports that he Chairs a Committee about State maintained Roads in the City and their next meeting is in August and he would like to have as many people as possible to attend. The City reports these problems to the State and they take it from there.
Several thanks to the Police Department for the work they do in solving crimes and responding to all calls, especially to the quick work in finding the severed Dinosaur head and the culprits who did this. The Museum chose not to press charges, but the parents are involved and will see thatcommunity service work is done all summer by these young people.
The neighborhood that backs up to North Point are still having a problem with increased walking traffic cutting through and attempted break-ins in the area facing Strebor Street.
The developer promised a fence would be erected. Karen Burd will check and see if this fence was part of the site plan and report back. If it was part of the plan, then a fence will be erected.
Glenbrook area requests speed bumps and sidewalks in their Neighborhood. These two items have been put on hold, however, if they had been approved and were on schedule to be done, they will be completed as approved. You can check the Website to see if your area had been previously scheduled.
Walltown area reported increased drug activity at the 1100 Block of Onslow. They would like to see future meeting topics include gangs, guns and prostitution. Bill Anderson reported that this is in the works for the future.
Question was asked if your vehicle were damaged by a pothole, is the City or State required to pay for the repair? No. Potholes are considered maintenance repairs and this is not reimbursable.
To request the installation of a Street Light, contact State DOT.
Minutes by
Carolyn L. Best
Secretary