Page 9 - 7-24-15 Friday's Edition

Local
‘Foot Patrols’ Propose To Keep Public Housing Residents Safe
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Wednesday, represen- tatives from the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Hous- ing Authority Security Person- nel met with residents of the Robles Park Public Housing Complex.
The purpose of the meeting as to identify security concerns on the property. It’s hoped that with TPD and THA teaming up, it will help keep local fami- lies safe, and provide officers and THA staff an opportunity to work side-by-side to address safety concerns and build rela- tionships with the residents.
The goal of the initiative is to reduce crime in and around public housing properties by identifying and resolving pub- lic safety issues.
The safety teams will visit residents to hear their con- cerns; trespass non-residents who re loitering on the proper- ties; address quality of life is- sues such as gambling and illegal dumping, and investi- gate criminal activity.
Robles Park Resident Council President, Reva Iman, said they had started a resident safety patrol to help stop the violence, and she and the residents applaud THA and the police for this effort.
“We’d like to see the Chief and members of his staff walk through the area instead of al- ways riding in their cars.
“I think there is some fear about what happens in this community after the sun goes
REVA IMAN
down. There is a lot of loitering going on, and most of the peo- ple doing that don’t live in this complex.”
Iman said she thinks THA could do a better job of provid- ing security for the residents and she’s addressed this con- cern with them on several oc- casions.
“Although I think THA’s ef- fort is good, I think it would be better if they patrolled when the problems are going on. It seems they are afraid to patrol at night. If that’s the case, how do they think the residents feel? They need to have a bet- ter understanding of what the residents are facing.
“We also think the security being provided by THA is tem- porary, and will last as long as they have the funds to pay for the details.”
District III Commander, Major Rocky Ratliff said, the foot patrols have been going on for a long time in other areas.
“We’re expanding the foot patrols into public housing
areas where we’ve formed a partnership with the Tampa Housing Authority’s security personnel.
“We’ve talked to some resi- dents and they’re excited about this. In Robles, the areas we’re going to focus on first are the poorly lit areas where the light- ing has been intentionally de- stroyed.”
Major Ratliff said they are trying to get all of the apartment complexes in his district on board with their no crime initiative.
“This is not going away. We will be engaging the commu- nity more because we feel that way the residents will get to know who the officers are and vice-versa.
“Another area of concern is the Tampa Park Apartments community where there’s a problem with loitering and other incidents. The foot pa- trols are going to be active all over the city, especially in areas where there are a lot of people living within a bound- ary area.”
MAJOR ROCKY RATLIFF
Jackson Heights Neighborhood Crime Watch Meeting Planned
Members of the Jackson Heights Neighborhood Crime Watch members are from left to right: Jackie Wilks, Dorothy Paige, Fran Tate, Jackson Heights Neighborhood Crime Watch Coordinator, Pearlene Beckam, and Wessie Brown. Other members not shown in the photograph are: Abraham Walthour, Bridget Fra- zier, Consuelo Williams, and Femi Kennedy, Jackson Court Neigh- borhood Watch Coordinator.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, July 28th, the Jackson Heights Neighbor- hood Crime Watch Associa- tion will hold their monthly meeting. The meeting will take place at the NFL Yet Center, 3310 E. Lake Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward is slated to attend the meeting and discuss issues pertaining to the area. The Jackson Heights Neighbor- hood Crime Watch area is bound by E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., E. 24th Street, N. 24th Avenue, and N. 40th Street.
Ms. Fran Tate is the Jackson Heights Crime Watch Coordinator, is asking members of the community
to attend the meeting and meet Chief Ward.
“During the meeting, we will discuss the crime that has taken place in our area from the beginning of June until the present date; we will talk about gun violence, the bicy- cle citation issue in our com- munity, other types of crimes, and safety. There will also be a question and answer ses- sion,” Ms. Tate said.
Additionally, she is asking those who reside in the area who are not members of the association to come out and join. Information on joining the Jackson Heights Neigh- borhood Watch Association will be available at the meet- ing.
Refreshments will be served. For additional infor- mation call (813) 242-5346.
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A