Neighborhood Watch Meeting April 14, 2009, 7:30PM

In attendance: Gary Brooks, President
Alex Rubenstein, Secretary
Kathy Brooks
Michele Hays
Bernard Garbo
Sharon Woodfork
Tabitha Carney
EPD Officer Maldonado
Kristin Doll
Vanessa Frost
Steven Frost
Anique Colbert
Patrick Sullivan
William Gallagher




1. 2008 Year in Review. Gary: Crime down sharply in 2008—people calling. Crime appears to be shifting north and south of here. Especially Halloween. Bernard: East, West and South of here, it really got hit hard there. This winter, we received a reward for our efforts from the EPD in 2008.

Grants. Michele: A grant to make a GIS survey of the area, to keep track of what’s good and bad about our neighborhood—info about each address. Important to connect to the online watch log. We’ve passed the first two hurdles, waiting to hear about. Also a CDBG grant for stuff for Brummel Park Neighbors.

A new camera is on Howard and Elmwood.

Crime Report: Gary: A very small amount of crime reports for April so far. Off. Maldonado: People are still leaving stuff in plain sight in their cars, and stuff being taken. Just completed an area beat survey—waiting to be seen by the chief. Had a dumping situation, and got some sneakers off of telephone/power wires (it’s a signal for drug sales happening there). This summer, a track officer will be added to the beat—observe what the beat’s like, and assist if necessary.

Michele: During the summer, there are 2 extra cars floating around Evanston. If called, they’ll come to help. If we don’t call, then they won’t come.

Bernard: Across Howard, most crime down. Beat 2422 (just east of here), the new commander is pushing for harder enforcement. Beat 2424 working with them. Warm weather spike in graffiti.

Schedule. Alex: Sign up for the schedule! Walk with a partner. Bernard: Let’s set up a schedule to do the monthly Hands Across Howard. Michele: Can we have the big walk on Tuesdays? Consensus: No, weekends are more effective in being seen. Bernard: The parade of police cars in March was awesome.

Bernard: Area development group honoring Hands Across Howard for their great work at their fundraiser.

Website: Gary: Website is operational! Must get a password to get onto it. After each walk, please fill out the form. Gary is working on Twitter RSS feed—Michele explained. “nwatch” is the account name.

No Trespass Agreements. The city is moving away from these. Difficulty in enforcement and more requirements for officers to fulfill.

Sex Offenders. Gary: There are 10 living in our area right now, and Gary will try to update automatically.

Developers. Bernard: There are 22 3 flats on this one block, only 5 of them having owners living in them. Landlords have not been picky with who they rent to. A new developer has been making non-permitted changes, and dumping these not great properties on to someone else. Scammy. Keep an eye out for contractors doing non-permitted work.