Potter-Longway group considers warning system

The Potter Longway Neighborhood Association Dec. 20 evaluated the Red Alert system and discussed the ramifications of a proposed public safety millage and the possibility of the city filing Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

David Caswell spoke about the benefits of the group adopting the Red Alert system in the wake of additional public safety layoffs.

"This isn't a vigilante program," Caswell said. "The city says it wants its citizens to be the eyes and ears for the police department. Red Alert is an electronic way of becoming many pairs of eyes and ears for the police," he said.

Mike Herriman, of the College Cultural Neighborhood Association related how their crime watch uses Red Alert. He said the group attributes seven police arrests to the system.

"We don't want to move crime around the city," Caswell said. "If criminals know one neighborhood is no longer safe, they'll move to another. That's why it's important for all neighborhood associations to consider using this system. We want to move crime out of Flint — not just out of a particular neighborhood," he said.

Herriman stressed the Red Alert is a supplement to whatever else the group was currently using.

"Call 911 first — then make a Red Alert call to alert your block captains about criminal activity or any dangerous situation," Herriman said.

"All the police officers we've talked to were in favor of Red Alert," Herriman explained. "Some officers asked to have their personal cell phones connected to it."

Herriman also recommended the group get a large map of their neighborhood and set up a color-coded stickpin system to track crime.

"Use different color pins for different kinds of crime, then you can see if there is a pattern to the criminal activity," Herriman said.

Herriman and Caswell provided many examples of how the system has been used in the past to deter crime. Both men encouraged the group to become proactive and not reactive.

The group agreed to request a volunteer coordinator to put together their own Red Alert system on a trial basis at their next meeting in January.

The group also discussed a proposed millage increase for public safety.

"If the millage passes city council we will call a special meeting and ask Councilman Josh Freeman (Ward 4) to attend our group's meeting," Robert Gill said.

"Anytime we get money from a millage the city mismanages it," a member complained.

"Citizens need to hold the administration accountable — the police chief and the mayor," Caswell said.

"The city is in a deep, deep, depression," Caswell added.

The group discussed concerns about the financial stability of the city. Members cited rumors that the city's cash flow won't last until spring.

"Two things could occur if that happens," Caswell said. "Either the city will file municipal bankruptcy or the state will take over."

Election of officers, which was on the agenda, was postponed until the Jan. 17 meeting because of a low member turnout.

The group meets at the Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier St. Call Gill at (810) 736-2853 for information.

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