Weinland Park Community Civic AssociationSafety Committee

Summary of Meeting of July 17, 2014

Ahmed Ebady, committee chair, called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Those in attendance introduced themselves.

On the issue of children playing in the street on North Sixth Street, Chris Orban reported that he has contacted the citys 311 number to have a second Do not enter on East Seventh Avenue at the intersection with North Sixth Street. Another suggestion was to place a No left turn sign on East Seventh Avenue traveling west. Lee Gray of The NRP Group said not all of the children are from NRP houses, but she will forbid a woman in one NRP house from placing a basketball hoop in the street.Diane Dixon reported that Jean Pitman has obtained a donation of flashlights for National Night Out. The annual event will take place in Weinland Park on Tuessday, August 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the city park behind the elementary school. In addition, Jenis Splendid Ice Creams will distribute free ice cream. Pastor Roscoe Robey will offer an opening prayer. The group will walk through the neighborhood and return for the ice cream. Mr. Ebady said he will bring 100 hotdogs and a grill.Mr. Orban said a website, Nextdoor.com, is being accessed by some Weinland Park residents to discuss positive and negative activities in the neighborhood. The website permits neighborhood residents to communicate among each other. The website currently involves several thousand neighborhoods throughout the country.

Steve Sterrett reported that the meeting scheduled earlier in the week of the advisory group for the citys Short North Parking Study had been canceled. He urged that a representative of Weinland Park be designated to attend the advisory group meetings on a regular basis.David Campbell of Community Properties of Ohio Management Services brought a list of ideas of how the Columbus Police special-duty officers involved with the Neighborhood Options for Youth program could be deployed in Weinland Park. Mr. Orban suggested that the special-duty officers schedule be coordinated with the Community Crime Patrol (CCP) staff members who patrol in the afternoon. Mr. Ebady suggested preparing a list of hot spots for the officers to investigate.

Mr. Sterrett suggested that the officers develop relationships with, in addition to CCP, Archbishop Cassian at St. Sophia Cathedral, leaders of the Weinland Park Wildcats, and other organizations and civic leaders with many contacts in the neighborhood.

Nathan Staggs of CCP reported that things have been slow in Weinland Park in the last month. The closing of the two carryouts may have contributed to the positive situation. CCP patrols from 2 to 6 p.m.

Mr. Ebady said that the trailers at Godman Guild Association have recently been burglarized.

Ms. Dixon asked about the citys curfew law because some children are out late. Officer Steve Smith said he would provide her with cards with the curfew information for distribution.

Ms. Dixon said rats, opossums, and raccoons are a problem in the alley between North Fifth and North Sixth streets with overgrown lots and unsecured houses.

Mr. Ebady asked for agenda items for the next meeting, which will be Thursday, August 21, at 6 p.m.

Summary prepared by Steve Sterrett.