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6:45 p.m. We'll be live from the second installment of neighborhood meetings in a few minutes.
Chief Rob Copley says there are plans to have more meetings around the community, but they wanted to have a follow-up to the first one before they began moving to other neighborhoods.
Several QPD officers are here. Aldermen Ben Bumbry, Bob Klingele, Skip Vahlkamp, Virgil Goehl, Jack Holtschlag and Dave Bauer. Mayor John Spring and Director of Administrative Services Ken Cantrell.
Rev. Orville Jones is serving as our facilitator tonight. Looks like about 50 in attendance. We open with a prayer.
Mayor Spring says it's been a month since the last meeting. Talks about the burglaries on the east end of town and progress is being made on that front.
Spring says problem with violence in the city's northwest end is being addressed. Neighborhood Watch implementation is a key. It has been restarted in this area and city is looking to do so in other parts of town.
Copley talks about a list of things discussed last meeting and says it is up to the community to judge if a difference is being made. Says it is just starting. Says there are many long term issues. Not an overnight or a one month fix.
Traffic on Lind Street. A speed reduction was discussed referred to traffic commission. No quorum at last traffic meeting. Will be on agenda for next traffic commission meeting. People in the street, on the corner "mob action" a nightclub after the real clubs close. Police limited in what they can do in that instance. Standing next to vehicle is not against the law. Can take action if there is drinking in public.
Some locals have been arrested in fights in the area.
A police officer cannot arrest someone if their peace is being disturbed. Only if there is vehicle noise. Some who is being disturbed must file the complaint. If you call and say they are noisy on the corner. That might stop them, but if there is no complaint, they will come right back after the officer leaves. He understands it is tough to make a complaint.
Copley says he has been made aware some of the officers working Frederick Ball not getting out of the car. That is a problem. Sub post is not where officers are just supposed to hang out. Plan is for officers to be out of the car and out of the subpost.
Accusation we witnessed a drug transaction and we ignored it. Can't say for sure it didn't happen, but says there could be other circumstances. Once you interview people involved in complaints they may not see the same thing. May be possible person saw drug deal and saw officer and possible officer did not see it. Hard for him to believe officer would do that.
Says people have complained that if they call the watch commander they get blown off. Copley says that had better not be happening. He wants bona fide complaints investigated.
Copley said he warned people stops would be made and they have been made. He says there is always a reason within the law to stop.
Copley says there is a distrust of the police in this community and he wants to solve that. Says he cannot find black officers because of that trust factor. Says the whole community must work on that together.
Spring says he has been talking to some businesses moving to the community and one of the two will put some dollars in Redmon and Lee. Great to see businesses coming into the community that will support the community. Spring says the other annoucement is there will be some new industry moving to Quincy and that is great news...the industry is west of 12th Street.
Spring said he met with Quincy Housing Authority officials to talk about their facilities.
Brandon Winstead, Redmon and Lee Board member, goes over issues from last meeting.
Speed bump on Lind...must go to traffic.
Kids going to school...loitering on public property...PTA/Community involvement...Police follow through when people make a call...loitering on Friday and Saturday night...community being part of the solution...afterschool programming...fear of inaction...reduce speed limit on Lind...develop programs for people 18 to 21...If there is a complaint...fix alley lights...more minorities on police force...citizens police academy. Mayor Spring pushes the police academy.
Superintendent of Schools Lonny Lemon says crime drops when school starts. Says many kids have been out way past curfew during the summer. Expanded afterschool programs into many of the K-3 schools. Says the school district will do its part to help throughout the community.
Officer Kelly Vandermaiden says 12 citizens showed up earlier this month to set up a Neighborhood watch. Another meeting is set for Sept. 8th. Rev. Jones says that is one of the most positive programs the area can have.
Cheri Cartmill talks about how often to have future meetings. Crystal with QHA says the QPD will apply for a "weed and seed" grant.
Dennis Williams says the Human Rights Commission is coming together to do whatever is necessary to make this work.
Meeting ends at 8:15. Sorry, forgot to sign off as I wanted to grab the mayor before he left.
Ken Cantrell thanks everyone for showing up and says neighborhood watch is critical to make this happen.
Spring says the best way to move forward is to move together.
Elaine Davis...Spring says she is a great lady who has helped many first-time home buyers in Quincy...She asks if anyone wants to buy a brand new home in an enterprise zone contact her. She says she has a grant to help people with rental assistance as well. Says she had a meeting with someone looking to build more affordable housing.
Says being a part of the U.S. conference of mayors helps him discuss affordable housing with the feds. Says "if the right person is elected president" more affordable housing will be available."
Copley says N. 12th St. homicide is still under investigation and a big part requires getting the one suspect in. They have made some other arrests for drugs. Says the gangs backfill and replace their supply lines faster than the police does. Copley says if you are not comfortable talking to a large group, talk to a smaller group. Also come see him at QPD...after you check in with the watch commander.
Bill Hrudicka says noise is really bad late night..."one big party going on"...Chief says the complaints have to be filed. Rev. Jones stressed people should make the complaints.
A woman says police stood around watching fights last weekend. Copley there cannot be an arrest for peace disturbance. Another man says if 50 people raised that much Hell outside City Hall, they would be arrested. Copley said several fighting arrests have been made.
Lady says QHA wants Sept. 8 neighborhood watch closed to the media because people won't talk if cameras are around.
Hrudicka says buses are speeding through the neighborhood.
Man says drug abuse is rampant throughout the city, not just in this neighborhood. Says there needs to be kids/teens at this meeting. Says they are missing. Says media is focusing on west end and not whole town. Says Quincy has a bad problem. Came back to Quincy in 2000 this is not the same place. Community has declined in last 20 years. Says drug, alcohol and job loss have been causes of the problem.
Jones says root of the problem is in the home because of a declining value system. If it is not your child it is still your child.
Lady says gang problem was bad in 1993 and the community worked together to beat it back. Asks Copley how long he's been an officer. "28 years," he says. Copley says they can do it again.
Brandon says he's troubled we haven't taken the time to acknowledge that a human life was lost.
Meeting ended at 8:15 p.m.
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Reply #3 on : Wed August 27, 2008, 16:07:37