Harambee Community Action Day A Big Hit!
Jun 7th, 2010
The Harambee Community Action Day was organized by Harambee stakeholders together with the Community Prosecution Unit and 5th District MPD. Saturday, June 5th on a stretch of Center Street was the scene of residents, business owners, law enforcement and prosecutors in action. Over 200 residents got to work cleaning up the streets and alleys and taking pride in their neighborhoods and Milwaukee. Afterwards, the community gathered and kids and adults alike enjoyed seeing police equipment, horses and a roll call in the street, and especially the many games and activities.
The day was just one in a planned series, all in Police District 5, with a cumulative goal of increasing resident awareness of available community resources and active resident involvement in crime reduction strategies, including block watches and associations. Safe & Sound has been involved since the beginning, helping to plan the events, working closely with the police department, Community Prosecution Units, and the Harambee Great Neighborhoods Initiative. Safe & Sound organizers have also used the events to interest residents in more active involvement in crime reduction strategies. Major community events like this tilt the scales for those residents who may be intimidated or afraid to take a stand on their own block.
“I want to give credit and a warm ‘thank you’ on behalf of Harambee, the 6th District and the city as a whole to the dedicated volunteers and sponsors who are making the event possible,” Alderwoman Coggs said. “There are so many details and plans to go over, and it has truly been a challenge at times. But we have residents, block clubs, churches, businesses and many other organizations and groups who have stepped up and generously lent their time, talents, and resources to make this event happen.”
Captain Hudson emphasized that “It’s an opportunity for us to come out. Clean up the neighborhood, share resources and information with one another and basically celebrate some of the successes that we’ve had with crime reduction in this area, and with increase community involvement.” Real working relationships and understanding between police, city services and residents is the most effective way to make our neighborhoods safe. Community Action Day is a great step in the right direction.
Fox 6 News covered the event:
