Weinland Park Community Civic AssociationSafety CommitteeSummary of Meeting of May 21, 2015

Ahmed Ebady called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in the citys Northside Neighborhood Pride Center.

Mr. Ebady expressed concern that a house on Courtland Avenue may be a source of illegal drug activity. The house had been closed for a couple of months, but people now appear to be going in and out of the house again.

Mr. Ebady also noted that a resident has moved to another location in the neighborhood and may be continuing illegal drug activity.

Mr. Ebady said there is a group of four or five teenagers or young adults who are hanging out at the carry-out at Summit Street and East Sixth Avenue. Officer Steve Smith was aware of the situation. Mr. Ebady suspected they may possibly be involved in gang activity.

Mr. Ebady introduced Georgina Stevenson as the new co-chair of the Safety Committee.

Sgt. Weir Smith reported that Community Properties of Ohio has evicted tenants in a situation involving a feud between residents of two units.

The committee discussed participation in National Night Out on August 4. Mr. Ebady asked that one or two African-American police officers attend National Night Out in Weinland Park to demonstrate to young people that African Americans serve in the Columbus Division of Police. Officer Steve Smith said the division does not assign officers to events based on their race. Mr. Ebady said he will bring the grill and hot dogs. Isom Nivins noted that Lowes Home Improvement has supported National Night Out in the past. Mr. Nivins suggested that Mr. Ebady contact Doug Brownfield of Lowes about National Night Out in Weinland Park.

Mr. Nivins said the Franklin County Sheriffs Office is offering the RAD class, a rape prevention program for women. Mr. Nivins said that the class requires the registration of 10 to 15 women. Mr. Nivins said the program could be offered at the Northside Neighborhood Pride Center. Ms. Stevenson expressed an interest in the program.

Officer Smith reported that he met with an official from the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development and representatives of Veliko Ventures and The Barcus Company last month. They toured all of the Veliko Ventures properties. The HUD official recommended improvements that could be made to the properties to promote public safety.

Jessica Takacs of the Community Crime Patrol (CCP) said one of her patrol units at end of April put out a small fire on a vacant lot. Two units walk through the Weinland Park neighborhood during the day on Wednesdays through Fridays. CCP distributes a monthly report of its patrol activities throughout the University District. Mr. Sterrett said he would resend the report to Safety Committee members who request it.

Ms. Stevenson said she is seeing more graffiti in the neighborhood.

Mr. Nivins said that Ohio State Universitys Star House on North Fourth Street and East 12th Avenue, which serves runaway youth, will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 8 for its new facility in Milo-Grogan neighborhood.

The business of the committee being concluded, Mr. Ebady adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.

Summary prepared by Steve Sterrett.