Potter Longway group discusses grant, crime

President Rob Gill told the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association June 20 about a $1,000 grant the group received before focusing on the meeting's major issue — preventing crime.

"We've just received a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for $1,000," Gill said.

"The grant is for neighborhood distribution of a newsletter explaining who we are and what we do. We are trying to build association awareness in an area with more than 3,000 residences. We need to spread the word about our organization and get more people involved," said Gill.

According to Gill, the grant provides $350 for 3,200 copies of the newsletter, $355 for 50 double-sided 12- by 18-inch outdoor signs and $227 for T-shirts. The grant also designates $100 to be used by the association for a celebration when the awareness project is complete.

"We're going to get together as a group and determine what we want to say on the signs and on the T-shirts," Gill said. "We want some of the signs to advertise our monthly meetings."

Gill said he wants to continue building a sense of community. He asked members to shop locally to ensure businesses stay in the area and he designated Thursday nights at Longway Park as a time for neighbors to come together.

"We'll have softball and basketball, kite flying and flower planting — and do anything else the group wants to do," Gill explained.

Turning to the neighborhood crime problems, Gill said that there has been an increase in criminal activities, especially breaking and entering crimes.

"Flint has the highest per capita number of burglaries in the nation — besides having the highest number of murders," Gill said. "It's time for us to step up and do something. We need to ask more from our city. We can't depend on a police officer being there. We have  got to secure our homes, turn on the porch lights and not allow ourselves to become victims."

City Attorney Peter Bade said there are many factors that contribute to the high crime rate.

"There's a lack of employment opportunities, drugs, fewer police officers on the street and no jail to house offenders," Bade said.

He encouraged members to do simple things that make a difference — such as keep the lights on and keep a dog.

To fight crime, Gill encouraged members to get to know their neighbors.

"That's the number one thing you can do that will make a difference," Gill said. "Find out who should be going in and out of your neighbors' homes and ask them to watch yours."

Raynetta Speed, Genesee County Land Bank community outreach coordinator, talked about the process for demolishing vacant houses that need demolition.

"It's a lengthy process and its getting worse with all the fires because a vacant house set on fire gets a higher priority on the demolition list," Speed said.

According to Speed, vacant property has to go through a three-year process before it goes into foreclosure.

"We just received 2,900 properties this year from year 2009," Speed said. "The county treasurer will foreclose, then they go to auction, then we acquire what's left. However, we never put anyone out of their home. We offer them a land or rental contract."

Speed also explained that the city does the demolition work if the property cannot be feasibly rehabilitated.

In other matters:

• The Rev. Carl Cooke announced a community fair July 9 as a kick-off to vacation Bible school on July 10 to July 13 at Eastwood United Methodist Church.
• Bade told members about a new ordinance aimed at deterring drag racing giving police the capability to secure the vehicle.
• Eric Fox, campaign manager for Scott Smith's mayoral candidacy, said Smith has promised not to take a paycheck until 50 police officers are on the streets if he is elected. Fox outlined a public safety plan that would target drug dealers and provide funding for officers by cutting top administrators.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. July 18 at Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier Ave.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––