College Cultural crime watch agrees to set priorities

The College Cultural Neighborhood Association Crime Watch Aug. 18 agreed to set priorities for their concerns and put together a plan of attack.

"We've reached a point where we have the basic tools in place. Now we can work on top priority issues," said Craig Walcott, co-chairman of the group.

Issues that topped the priority list were Richert Manor, a party store in the area, the Pierce Golf Course and the closing of a video store.

Members said Richert Manor, originally a home for seniors, became a nuisance when it changed to a facility for people with low incomes. Criminal activity increased in the surrounding area when the change was made, according to members.

The city recently announced it recommended closed Pierce Golf Course be run by a group called City Golf Solution. The members wonder what will happen next.

"Pierce attracts people I don't want in my neighborhood," one member said. "Cars with music blasting from their windows speed down streets where children play."

Another member said kids with kegs frequent the golf course because it is secluded.

The recent closing of a video store was controversial. The manager claimed the store closed because the neighborhood had a high crime rate. Members discussed the possibilities for another business to take over the property or turning the area into green space.

Some members also claimed that a party store in the neighborhood attracted criminals.

In other matters, Wolcott announced that the city soon may be using an automated system called "CopLogic" for people to file their own crime reports. The online system lets people report crimes without having an officer dispatched to the scene. An officer then reviews the submission at the department and e-mails a copy of the report with a case number to the complainant.

"Having that case number is critical to filing an insurance claim," a member said.

The CopLogic program was recommended for Flint by a team from Michigan State University that has been working with the police department.

Wolcott also said the July crime statistics included five burglaries, five larcenies and two damaged property complaints.