Community Meeting on Crime and Prevention, Thursday at 7

This Thursday at 7PM, Joshua Greenberg, Martin Ruiz and Nicole Fabri have organized a community meeting to discuss the state of crime and crime prevention in the neighborhood. There have been a number of high-profile crimes and people in the PLG Yahoo group are worried that crime in the neighborhood is on the rise.

I'm not sure that I agree that things are getting worse and The Q at Parkside has a good rundown on the crime numbers in the neighborhood. He provides a breath of fresh, calming air that I hope helps inform the way people approach the meeting.

That said... if people are concerned that crime is on the rise, that is more than enough reason for PLG residents to get together and discuss our concerns. Security is a state of mind as much as it is a state of "fact" and if you don't feel safe it is nearly as bad for quality of life as actual danger. I hope that there is a large turnout so that the input of all neighbors and local businesspeople will be heard. I also hope that "police presence" and "broken windows theory" and "increased social services" aren't the . Two years ago, Carrie wrote what I think is a very useful post on simple ways that residents can make their neighborhoods less amenable to crime and I encourage you to read it.

And then attend the meeting.

Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 7 PM
Church of the Evangel
1950 Bedford Avenue (@ Hawthorne Street)

After the meeting, come take the edge off at Lincoln Park Tavern with some comedy. I really do have a great show lined up.

Comments

[Jessica]

I didn't get the impression that people in the Yahoo group thought crime is on the rise, but maybe that's because *I* don't think it's on the rise and I subconsciously ignored those comments.

I *do* think there is more that we can do as residents to make the neighborhood safer. I also think that more beat cops would be a good addition.

Mostly I think that everyone in the community should be informed, should be welcome to participate and be heard. This means not just inviting one's neighbors in Lefferts Manor.

[Mary]

Has anyone heard anything of an alleged murder on Parkside Court last night? A friend called and alerted me to it, she was walking home at the time and came upon the police crime scene. I can't seem to find any information online.

[babs]

Considering that the author of this post as well as one of the organizers of the meeting (Nicole from Parkside, who interrupted her work on this to give birth to a daughter - Congratulations!) don't even live in the historic district, let alone the Manor, I'd say there was little thought of restricting the audience to LM residents.

And from the huge turnout of residents of all description from all parts of the neighborhood it wasn't the case.

And whether any increase in crime is perception or reality, anything that brings all of us together as a community can only be a good thing. Thanks and congratulations to Martin, Josh, and Nicole on a great turnout and positive atmosphere.