Crime stats seem kinda high?

[sheclown]

The Block Captains are not a neighborhood watch program per say, though they can contriubute to such an effort.

Really, most of the neighborhood is hyper-vigilant about crime.....so  a specific program isn't in place. Almost like everybody is in sworn-in as they move-in.

there actually was a very active neighborhood watch program in springfield until recently.  someone mentioned the dog walkers in an earlier post.  they (the dogwalkers) even had The Guardian Angels do a visit with them.  there was a news article, the whole nine yards.  the problem was, denial.  people wanted so badly to believe that there was no crime and admitting that there was would result in horrible press and who would want to move here if they thought there was any crime.  they (those that opposed it) felt it very unnecessary and overreactive, the dog walkers were considered nothing more than "drunk vigilantes".  they (the dogwalkers) were told that springfield didn't need the free help that the guardian angles were going to provide but instead people just needed to give to the security fund.  the security fund was great - for those that were in an area that benefited from it, other areas of springfield were left to their own devices. 

..and thus began...the peace bubble?

[CS Foltz]

Makes me wonder just who or whom let it die? That would also make me ask whose Security Fund? Block Captains in New York City have something to do with the political end of things or are short cuts to the Bourrough Representative (Assemblymen.....equivalent of our Council Rep's) But as to security....they have nothing to do with that aspect other than as a citizen. Maybe they are the eye's and ear's of SPAR?

[cindi]

Makes me wonder just who or whom let it die? That would also make me ask whose Security Fund?

who let what die? the neighborhood watch "dog walkers" or the security fund? 

[CS Foltz]

Both!

[cindi]

the "dog walkers" were pretty diligent for over a year, every weekend walking the streets, the parks etc.  there were lots of people that "wanted" to help but social obligations etc got in the way, the harassment from the SOME (not all) of JSO that resented that the group created more work for them, and those that thought there was no need for them at all.  as for the security fund, that was organized / run through SPAR and private donations.  personally, i never gave as i could never determine / figure out how it was actually operated - some thought it was great and others not so much.  I am actually not sure if the security fund is still in place or not. 

[CS Foltz]

Thanks cindi! Raises more questions than it answered.....such as the security fund, running it through SPAR where the funding might be used for other purposes. Not really sure what the purpose could be unless it was the hiring of an outside security agency or company but if the "Dog Walkers" were the eyes of the neighborhood that should not have cost anything but someones personnel time!  So I guess I should ask, where did the money go? I know you don't have the answer kid.............fsu813 won't either! Might be something to ask at the next SPAR Meeting or maybe Springfield Girl can answer......I believe she said she was a Board member!

[cindi]

has to be large enough for the homeless of all the shelters, of which the sulzbacher is only one.

Also it would have different space needs.  tables, chairs benches, bathrooms showers, places to sign up and do paperwork, find jobs, clinic etc.

huh?

[cindi]

Thanks cindi! Raises more questions than it answered.....such as the security fund, running it through SPAR where the funding might be used for other purposes. Not really sure what the purpose could be unless it was the hiring of an outside security agency or company but if the "Dog Walkers" were the eyes of the neighborhood that should not have cost anything but someones personnel time!  So I guess I should ask, where did the money go? I know you don't have the answer kid.............fsu813 won't either! Might be something to ask at the next SPAR Meeting or maybe Springfield Girl can answer......I believe she said she was a Board member!

actually the security fund was used solely to fund the hiring of off duty jso officers (it was much more complicated than that, but that was the security). as far as costing the neighborhood watch little more than time - you are right, people as a whole were not willing to do it and those that did got completely burned out.

[CS Foltz]

OK........understand the use of offduty JSO personnel, but would you believe me if I said "LIGHTS" are a proven deterrent? We just changed out all of the old light globes in my world. HOA bought the globes and I went up and down the 8' ladder. Got two that are 10' and have a ladder coming this week to finish all! I know Main Street has street lights but the only area that I would normally go into does not! There is a T-Mobil cell site in Springfield that used to be a problem child in the early days and they said point blank..........if you make a night visit, get inside the compound and lock yourself in! I never did but I am nuts, I would be on the tower and some one stupid wants to climb in the dark and try and rob me.......come on up! Sorry........got carried away.......Lights either on the side streets or one on the house front facing the street. Something that is motion sensored is not very expensive and only comes on when something big enough triggers it.....cheap to operate. Plenty of Historical designed lights available...........surprised the SPAR Group has not though of it!

[cindi]

it stays light in my front yard 24/7 and all the houses on our block have the big lights, my neighbor also has security cameras - oddly enough, we were carjacked in his front yard.  lights do not deter these people, they do help you identify them easier.  so yes, in hampsterdam, we are armed.

[Dan B]

It would help if the JEA contact that manages that program would return phone calls. I tried to get a hold of him for weeks, without any luck.

[CS Foltz]

Dan B...........maybe your looking in the wrong direction.............who is your Council Representative? Track them down and dump this into his or her lap...........get an E Mail address and a direct contact phone number!                cindi ....we have only 18 street lights in my world and the globe change did wonders, next up will be replacing bulbs so we have the most light possible! Those suckers work lots better and if nothing else lets me identify my target quicker(if needed!)........some of us are armed here too but that is the last resort.                        stephendare we aren't very big here but pretty progressive as to the safey issue......lots of older people here and we try and watch out for them, lights are just basic & like locking your front door or closing your garage door! JEA should have a program of some kind to encourage this for simple basic safety........maybe thats too progressive for them!

[cindi]

we had inquired awhile ago about getting brighter lights and were actually told by JEA that the lights were not there for public safety/crime deterent.

[CS Foltz]

JEA had the gall to tell you that? Find out who is your Council Representative(if you don't already know) and raise hell! Whatever bufoon answered your phone call is stupid and should have been reported to their supervisor! That is a crock since it is a proven fact of the corelation between lighting and safety so track your rep down and raise hell with them.........excrement rolls down the hill and its time for your rep to do their job!

[hooplady]

the security fund was great - for those that were in an area that benefited from it, other areas of springfield were left to their own devices. 

..and thus began...the peace bubble?

No, the peace bubble long pre-dated the security fund.  And will endure after its demise.

I am also curious about the "neighbor shot while taking out the trash" incident.  I posted my story to make it clear that we're not in denial about the crime that does occur here.  But that doesn't mean we shouldn't work to dispel urban myths (if that's the case).

I dated a guy who continually told me how bad it was here, and he always repeated the story of a female friend who had been raped at knifepoint on Hubbard St.  A horrific incident to be sure, but once I did the math it appeared that the event must have happened about twenty years ago.  He was always telling me that I was surrounded by drug addicts and criminals - although we kept running into friends of his who were my neighbors!