CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, February 4, 2013
5:30 p. m. – 7:30 p. m.
IBEW Hall / Local 58
The following are highlights from the meeting --
Rashida Tlaib, State Representative
Briefly acknowledged the upcoming presenters and stated that this is a working meeting with tangible take-aways, and that additional meetings will absolutely occur. She identified that Larissa Carr, of her office, was in the audience and available following the meeting to address any specific issues or concerns. Tlaib’s office provided a hand out of important resource phone numbers. (included)
Debra Walker
Expressed the purpose of the meeting was to provide insight and information about the increase in crime in the community, and to let neighbors know this is a team effort and no one should feel alone as Corktown battles these challenges, while the city confronts budget issues. And to share practical tips and initiatives that residents can use to help ourselves and each other.
DPD Lieutenant , Darin Szilagy
Provided Corktown crime stats representing the last 28 days. This included car theft, car larceny, a sexual assault and home B & E.
The increase in crime is in direct proportion to the increase in bars and clubs opening in the area. The easy access to the freeways, is also a factor. Most of the perpetrators are driving into the neighborhood and are, for the most part, not the homeless in our community.
DPD is planning to add dedicated patrol to Corktown as an extension of downtown coverage. This includes bicycle patrol, to begin some time in the Spring.
Dan Gilbert plans to lease two parking lots in Corktown for his employees; and will shuttle them to the office. While this will increase traffic, it will provide additional security cameras and security personnel. Szilargy did not know the specific location of the parking lots.
Szilagy also mentioned that the City just recently established panhandling and trespassing ordinances.
Office Dorsey
Introduced himself as the Corktown Community Relations Officer. He provided his phone number and e-mail [313-596-5110 /
Dorsey can be contacted with ANY police-related issues. If he cannot answer or address, he will work with you to get to the right person and have the item resolved.
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CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, February 4, 2013
Inspector Brian Fountain
Conducted a comprehensive workshop on crime prevention and safety tips. This included a need to have a door brace on your back and side door and very long screws in your door bolt locks. Because when criminals kick in the door, they are actually kicking in the lock. The longer and sturdier the screws, the better. You should also purchase inexpensive motion detectors with a remote that rings in your home when someone is lurking outside. They can be purchased at Harbor Freight on Wayne and Warren.
He stressed that you should always look for what appears out of the norm for your neighborhood, and then act cautiously. This includes avoiding areas when you see suspicious activity, like the gas station, red light or ATM. It is imperative to be vigilant and observant.
If you call 911 and there is no car available, ask to be switched to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Dispatch 313-228-2811.
Unfortunately, he cannot share his entire presentation, but will provide a list of the numerous resource phone numbers he cited. He does this workshop regularly; and I would recommend attending, if you missed this one.
Fountain also discussed briefly the availability of DPD Officers to provide private patrol, as part of their Secondary Employment initiative. The cost is $25/hour and $50/car/ day.
Debra Walker, Corktown Patrol
Discussed the need for Corktown’s Volunteer Patrol to recommence, regardless of whether there is also some private patrol.
Inspector Fountain will conduct the training. Individuals were encouraged to sign up for the patrol. There will be need for committed volunteers to ensure the necessary follow up is done, and documents and equipment are available regularly. A training session will be scheduled for within the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Larissa Carr, Rashida Tlaib’s Office
Talked about the proposed Text Alert initiative. She mentioned the need for someone to have a specific app [GroupMe] on their phone, to administer the program. And for those who sign up and provide their cell phone numbers, when someone in the group witnesses suspicious / criminal activity, they would send a text to a central number that would immediately dispatch the text to those in the group. In some cases, if the act is in process, those available would converge at the spot to deter the perpetrator. This has been successful in neighborhoods like Hubbard Farms.
Ron Cooley, Corktown Business Association
Provided insight into what the Corktown Business Community is doing. He stated there is a private secured parking lot behind Mercury Bar. It cost $3, and is currently less than 60% utilized. Any money made over and above the operating cost, is donated to Roosevelt Park. He stated that Slows previously paid a great deal of money for private security, but it was not effective. The police have provided a greater presence in the area.
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CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, February 4, 2013
Vince Keenan
Discussed the efforts to work with Wayne State University to encourage them to extend their security patrol to Corktown. Currently they have not agreed. He is also working with WSU to enhance the use of crime stats with their CompStat program, that analyzes the stats and provides more strategic opportunity to use the stats to curb and prevent crime.
Sen. Coleman Young
Spoke briefly about the importance of a community like Corktown and how pleased he was to see the turn out and the commitment and concern of a community he sees as a leader in the city. He thanked the residents for their involvement.
Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann, Corktown Restorative Justice Center
The center just opened and works to provide opportunities for a community to address crime and injustice through communication.
Debra Walker, Next Steps / Next Meeting
I stated that I wanted the meeting to be meaningful and not only provide information that I wanted to hear, but that would benefit the community at large.
Another meeting will be scheduled to be held in about a month. The location will be either the IBEW Hall or Most Holy Trinity, depending on timing and availability. If someone has an agenda item, they were encouraged to let me know.
The Text Alert initiative will conduct a few tests with those who signed up, and will provide an update at the next meeting. There was also a request for those interested in helping with communication [Crier, e-mail, Facebook, distributing fliers, etc.].
The city’s lighting initiative will also be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Updates on the newly trained Citizen’s Patrol, will be an agenda item.
Opportunities for more community-wide neighborly events was mentioned.
Thanks were given to Rashida Tlaib and her office, IBEW, and Ron Cooley and Sarah McKay for the refreshments.
I stressed the importance of If You See Something – Say Something.
Adjournment
7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra T. Walker
Attachments --
Tentative Next Meeting Date and Draft Agenda
Important Corktown Meetings, Events and Websites
Resource Numbers
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CONCERNED CORKTOWN
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, March 4, 2013
5:30 p. m. – 7:00 p. m.
Location: TBD
Presentations
Detroit Police Department
Crime stats
Corktown support / patrol
Update on DPD's new facility on John Lodge
Wayne County Sheriff’s Department
Gilbert's [Quicken Loan] presence in Corktown
WSU Urban Studies (tentative)
City Council rep
City lighting initiative
Volunteer Patrol
Communication Update
Text alert
Facebook
NextDoor
Corktown calendar of meetings, events
Open Discussion
Community Goals / Next steps
Please invite your neighbors!
Limited refreshments will be available
Questions? Contact Debra Walker – 313-758-1648
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CORKTOWN MEETINGS AND RESOURCES
Corktown Citizens' District Council Meetings
3rd Mondays, 6:30 p.m.
Back room of Nemo's*
Contact Mark Crowley --
Corktown Business Association Meetings
Last Monday of the month, 6:00 p.m
Back room of Nemo's*
Contact Ron Cooley --
*Location may change if there is an event,
e.g., Hockey, baseball, football game.
Please check with contact person.
Central District Community Meetings
3rd Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
7310 Woodward
Useful websites --
http://www.corktownconnection.org/
http://www.corktownhistoric.org/
Annual/On-going Events
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Tour DeTroit
Corktown Home Tour*
Corktown sports teams^
Free Press Marathon
Corn Husking Contest and Festival
Pumpkin Fest*
Clean-ups#
Volunteer Patrol Training
Monday, February 25, 2013
6:00 p.m.
Most Holy Trinity School
*Sponsored by Historical Society
^Softball team coach, Javier Cardenas /
Soccer coach, Todd Kropp /
Roosevelt Park/Corktown team coach, Cary Brainard /
#Navin Field grounds crew, cleans up the Tiger Stadium site, Joe Rashid /
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Department
Name
Phone
Email
Building and Safety Inspector
Terry Martin
(313)729-8633 (cell)
Joe Maples
(Sector 5)
(313) 224 3218
Abandoned Cars
Officer Homic
(313) 596-1372
Officer Joseph
(313) 596-5280
Illegal Dumping
Officer Gibson
(313) 596-1364
DPD Copper Theft/Scrap Metal Theft
Officer McKay
Central District Police Station
Officer Dorsey, Community Relations officer
(313) 596-5110
Commander Shawn Gargalino
313) 596-1310
Public Safety 101: Numbers to Know
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