Notes From Last Night's Strategy Meeting

As they were sent to me-

PSA Planning/Brainstorming Meeting Summary

March 24, 2008

6:30-8:00 PM

Attendees: 24

Due to a water main break, the meeting was moved from the Trinidad Recreation Center to the Fifth District.

Safety
Goal: Reduce indents of Loitering Vagrancy on Private Business Property
Constraint: Private Business Owners have to cooperate with the community and the police.
Action Items:
* Working with EOM and DCRA to review Basic Business Licenses (R. Davis)
* Working with EOM and OAG to reach out to businesses to establish Barring Orders (R. Davis)
* Moratorium on Single Sales resolution needed at the ANC level and possible legislation at the Council Level (R. Davis)

Goal: Reduce incidents of Drug Related, Prostitution, and other Street (Vice) Crimes
Constraint: Resources and manpower is limited, City lighting infrastructure is in need of improvement.
Action Items:
* MPD 5D will establish augment their strategy for dealing with crime by increasing the use of compliance check points and increased use of high visibility portable light tower. New approach will begin on the 16th NE corridor and relocate to other high incident areas. (CDR Greene)
* Light Up The Night campaign will be undertaken to provide residents willing to leave their porch lights on at night with free energy efficient light bulbs. (T. Laskaris, R. Mann-Thompson)
* Police presence will be extended at both Rec Centers in Trinidad because both will be open for extended hours. (CDR Greene)
* Police to set up ride along with DDOT staff to expose them to the poor lighting conditions. (Lt. Anderson)

Sanitation
Goal: Combat spread of Rodents and Mosquitoes with West Nile Disease
Constraints: Neighbors have to sign petitions to allow the city to abate their property and the city will not abate apartment buildings.
Action Items:
* Coordinate with ANC Commissioners and other Community Leaders to sign up city blocks throughout the neighborhood. (R. Mann-Thompson)

Outreach
Goal: Improve Programming at the Rec Centers
Constraint: Programming is sparse and contact information is non-existent
Action Items:
* Reach out to the Affiliate organizations Friends of Trinidad and the Friends of Joe Cole Rec Centers (R. Mann-Thompson)

Goal: Improve Communications between the Councilmember's Office and the Community
Constraint: Information isn't reaching residents.
Action Items:
* Reach out to the Council Member Thomas' office to develop a strategy to enhance method of communicating with the Community at large. (T. Laskaris)

Goal: Develop Effective PSA Meeting Structure and Process
Constraint: Meetings tend not to be tied to results nor do they seem to represent a larger strategic plan for combating crime in PSA 504.
Action Item:
* The exploration of the use of a Community Liaison model. (S. Harris)
* Preplanning agenda with ANC Commissioners and MPD (LT Anderson, & TBD)
* Providing scope information to guest speaker so that they know which issues are of importance to PSA 504 residents. (LT Anderson, F. Vaughn-Lee, & TBD)

Next Meeting:

April 7th, 2008 MPD 5D Meeting Room, 6:30-8:00 PM

Summary was prepare by R. Mann-Thompson, please forward any requests for changes, corrections, or updates to robbycu at yahoo.com or call me at 202-494-0607.

We should extend a special thank you to our hosts, CDR Greene and the MDP 5D PSA Leadership. We should also extend our gratitude to our Council member - Mr. Thomas, Council member's Brown's Office, Chief Grooms, ANC Commissioners, and our guest - Ms. Thompson from the EOM, for their participation and attendance. Most importantly we should take a moment to commend ourselves for taking this important step toward taking back our community.

V/R

-Robby