Potter Longway group weighs Code Red system

Vice President Eric Pruitt of the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association announced the group will vote at the Oct. 17 meeting to decide if the group should continue using Code Red — its neighborhood alert system. He said it cost $7.50 a month but not many people are using it.

Code Red is a cell phone and computer system that alerts neighbors of suspicious activity or crime. It is used by other neighborhood groups that reported arrests have been made from using it.

Members who reported crimes said that they were unaware of the system. Had they had known about it, they said, they would have used it.

"We need to help each other," said Fredrick Brown. "When there are neighborhood watch signs in windows and yard, thieves know they are being watched and crime goes down."

According to President Rob Gill the city's official crime statistics are not available because of a death in the department that produces the information.

Gill complained that the police presence isn't there. He said people in the neighborhood feel forgotten.

"And there's no media coverage," Gill said. "Last week there were five fires in an hour along Franklin Avenue. No media reported it."

Gill suggested members use their cell phones to snap photos if they see crime happening.

Councilman Josh Freeman (Ward 4) reminded members that there will be no city leaf pickup. Leaves must be bagged and put out for pickup with the garbage.

Raynetta Speed of the Genesee County Land Bank asked members to show their support for the weed and trash abatement program that is threatened to be cut because of financial reasons by attending a rally at the Genesee County Courthouse, 1101 S. Saginaw St., at 9 a.m. Sept. 21.

"If this program isn't funded your community will look like a wilderness," Speed said. "At least 60 jobs will be lost as well."

Councilman Freeman agreed saying that the land bank's program is the only one that cuts grass on vacant properties, removes trash and boards up windows of abandoned properties.

"The city is not doing it," Freeman said.

The group will meet next at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier St.