New group fights crime, blight

Can ordinary residents make a difference in their neighborhood? John Bednarski and Rob Gill think they can.

That's why they're working to revitalize their neighborhood association with a new name and some ideas to stop blight and fight crime.

Bednarski was a member of the former Potter Crime Watch — then spearheaded an effort to regroup volunteers as the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association. Its boundaries are Dort Highway, Richfield Road, Center Road and Davison Road.  Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Flint Fire Station Number Five, 3402 Western Rd.

"We're getting together to promote ideas to deter crime," Bednarski said. "We also would like to meet with members of other groups like the Thrift City Neighborhood Association so we can join forces and share resources."

"We have a ton of vacant property in the area," Gill said. "We want to do a windshield survey where volunteers drive around their blocks and list addresses of homes and vacant properties that need mowing. Reducing blight will also reduce crime. Blight and crime go together," Gill said.

The group is also concerned with the 28-acre Robert T. Longway Park.

"When the mowing contracts runs out on July 1, we don't know what will happen to our park," Gill said. "We're working on programs to allow residents, neighborhood associations and nonprofits group to get involved. It may be that we have to borrow equipment, get donations for gas and volunteers to help us," Gill continued.

Flyers with information about the group's mission and goals will be distributed to the Potter School children later this month. The school has given the association permission to use its school sign for advertising purposes this summer.

"Sometimes people throw up their hands and give up," Bednarski said. "We can't wave a magic wand and stop the blight. But if we all work together we can do it," he said.

Check their web page on Facebook or contact Rob Gill via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.