Southside group tests Code Red

The Southside Business and Resident Association tested the Red Alert crime watch system April 19 so members could see how quickly neighbors can be alerted to dangerous or criminal activity nearby.

Community activist David Caswell used a computer and cell phones to conduct the demonstration.

"We want all members to have a hands-on experience with Code Red," Caswell said as he walked members through a five-step process to send a computer message to all Code Red users.

Phones rang almost instantaneously after he entered a message to warn members of a fabricated crime. While the system alerted members the computer tracked how many of the messages were received and how many went to voice mail or received a busy signal. According to Caswell, participants who do not answer their phones after 10 p.m. will find a message awaiting them in the morning.

He encouraged members to get their postal delivery people and the South Side Task Force involved in the system.

"This is not a vigilante action system but a method of assisting the Flint Police Department by being its eyes and ears," Caswell said. He emphasized that people should first call 911 before to making the Code Red call.

Members discussed poor response for calls to the 911 call center.

"No matter what we do to prevent crime, we're at the mercy of 911 and they're not very helpful," a member said.

Caswell said he and the Citizens Nuisance Task Force were logging complaints about 911 service and meeting with Flint 911 Administrator Stephen Todd to work out problems.

Lisa Demankowski, NJB Architects, discussed plans for the future streetscape funded by a Ruth Mott Foundation grant. The streetscape will include South Saginaw Street and adjacent areas. Trees and raised flowerbeds will be planted and a mural painted on the Livingston Gateway area.

"We have a one-month window to get these trees and flowers planted," Demankowski said. "We're looking at 30 to 50 new trees for this area."

Sarah Kilgore, a forester with the Genesee Conservation District, is also participating in the project.

"We're going to plant the right trees for the right places," Kilgore said in response to questions about trees topping power lines and tree roots choking sewer lines.

"We're planting 1.5-inch calipers to reduce vandalism. The trees are expected to leaf out this year and have an immediate impact on the area. All of the trees will be tolerant for urban stress," she said.

Kilgore assured members that trees will only be planted on the areas between the sidewalk and curbs. Homeowners must be willing to take care of the new plants.

In other matters, Councilman Michael J. Sarginson (Ward 8) gave members a copy of the wording for the two millage proposals on the May 3 ballot — one for police service and one for the city jail.

President Art Wenzlaff reported two drug houses in the area have been removed because of the vigilance of neighbors and police action.

A representative from Revive Flint said members of his group are visiting homes in the area and asking for prayer requests. He invited members to the citywide celebration at the Perani Area at 6:30 p.m. April 27.

The group will meet next at 1:30 p.m. May 21 at the International Academy of Flint, 2820 S. Saginaw St.

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