“Adopt a Block” Brings Residents Together on Neighborhood Concerns
Jan 20th, 2010
Through “adopt a block,” residents learn from eachother how to work together with Safe & Sound staff, police and other city services in real and meaningful collaborations that build stronger communities. Established groups provide encouragement and advice to assist new block watch start-ups through an oftentimes difficult process. They also develop long term relationships in order to address the issues faced with the resources available.
Most recently two individuals who met through ”adopt a block” went before the City Licenses Committee to express their concerns about a store interested in selling food and liquor. The residents were made knowledgeable about the crime issues associated with other stores in the area through their contacts with Community Liaison Officer Ray Robakowski, Talibah Mateen of Safe & Sound and the efforts of the Reality Check Coalition.
There are at least four similar stores in the area of 20th and Hopkins. The residents have concerns regarding the number of stores partially because they are open late and attract loitering during evening hours, particularly area youth. The new license request sought to have longer hours to sell food and liquor. Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, who has been critical of the number of new liquor licenses, was made aware of the block watch concerns. All of the stakeholders, including the license applicants, were invited to an area block watch meeting to discuss and hear what eachother had to say prior to the hearing.
In the end, the block watches presented their views to city officials and the store’s hours were limited to 9:00 PM. Where before there were only individuals, residents were able to mobilize into a collective voice and have an impact.
The “adopt a block” brought concerned residents together over an issue that was relevant to them all. It is just one example of the unique approaches that Safe & Sound has developed for block clubs that can be used across the city. Cacy Williams, Safe & Sound VISTA member, is working to publish “adopt a block” and other innovative strategies for access by any interested groups.
