News Release from Chief Tim Malley

[Todd Shapiro]

Jim,

Yes I do know you better than that, I just wanted to point out unintended consequences of what some may believe to be good actions. I can honestly tell you that if my rent went up $1000 a year, I'm outta here! I don't have school-age children so it would would be no problem to for me to move to West Park and be a five minute drive from all the things I enjoy in Lakewood. And then what would happen more rental stock more incentive for my landlord or another landlords to bring in more Section 8 tenants who most likely don't have any physical or emotional ties to Lakewood.

[Dee Martinez]

I agree. If my housing went up 15% a year (plus the usual increases landlords tack on) I would certainly move.

Lakewoods nice. Not THAT nice.

[Brad Hutchison]

I think it might be beneficial to bring this back to Lakewood. The NRA is not our problem - I doubt any of the undesirables in question are members. Packing heat is not our answer. Let's bring this thread back to ways the average, civilian, non-carrying Lakewood resident can help.

1. Organize neighborhood/block watches.

2. Get a group of friends and neighbors together to walk a few blocks in the evening. Good for you too!

3. Report suspicious behavior. Help the police help us.

4.Communicate, via forums like the Deck. Was there a break in on your street? Let's stop crimes from becoming crime sprees.

I'm sure some google searches would turn up a lot of best practices from other communities.

Anybody else?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Lakewoods nice. Not THAT nice.

What if it was?



.

[chris richards]

Lakewoods nice. Not THAT nice.

What if it was?



.

The problem is, is that it isn't. Do you want to run good people out of the city with rental prices to high for the local economy?

From what I understand, and I think people are forgetting, not that it changes opinions on the idea, is that this idea of yours and Ken's was to have it per rental property, not per unit. I don't know how many single homes are out there for rent, but I would imagine the multi-unit properties outnumber them.

In a perfect Lakewood this would affect only the landlords, not the tenants. Which was something I didn't think about way back when this started but was quickly pointed out by others. But this isn't a perfect Lakewood, and I think trying to make it a perfect Lakewood is a rather futile endevour.

It's one thing to improve Lakewood, another to try and make it utopia.

[Dee Martinez]

Lakewoods nice. Not THAT nice.

What if it was?



.

The problem is, is that it isn't. .

Simply put. Thanks.

Lakewood competes for residents. If my housing goes up by $80 a month, with no immediate benefit, then I have to look at getting the modern place with the pool in Westlake, the "cool" loft in the city, the more affordable place in West Park, etc, etc.
Otherwise, your asking people to sign a blood oath to a zip code. Some people I guess have that all-encompassing sense of total and absolute committment to a set of boundaries but Im guessing theyre in the minority especially among the very people (younger professionals) lakewood SAYS it wants to attract.
The marketers know, brand loyalty develops later in life. Its your FATHER who is a "Buick man."

[Todd Shapiro]

All of the recent crime that have my fellow Observers and all Lakewood residents upset (except the women who was robbed in broad daylight on Sept. 11) are quiet easily preventable if you don't engage in illegal or illicit activity of your own. There has been alot of innuendo that both shooting were drug related, simple answer stay out of the drug trade either as a user or seller and you probably will not be targeted as a victim. Don't engage in underage drinking and you won't put yourself in potentially compromising situations.
I am going to venture a guess that between 98-100% of the members of the Observation Deck are law-abiding citizens. That is probably one of the best ways to protect yourself from being a victim of crime.
The Lakewood that I live in is not fearful place where my heart races every time I must walk outside. I am sure everyone on this forum goes out daily and encounters friendly, personable, non-threatening people all over Lakewood.
Every community has unique problems but I am beginning to wonder if all of the hand-wringing about Lakewood problems will not become a self-fulfilling prophecy

[Brad Hutchison]

http://www.seattle.gov/police/Publicati ... Safety.pdf

This is a link to the Neighborhood Safety Guide from the Seattle PD. Some of it is pretty obvious, but it discusses a lot of things that trouble Lakewood residents. Its guiding philosophy is the "Broken Window Theory," which is particularly relevant, I think.

Is there anything like this published in our city? The city's website didn't have anything that I could find.

[David Anderson]

Todd -

I appreciate and agree with much of your post. However, the issue is that folks fear being caught in the crossfire or that these issues may impact their children while walking to or from or in school. Once folks start to feel that their personal safety, or that of their family, is at risk and the city isn't moving hell and high water to protect the overall community, then, poof, Lakewood will empty.

Folks are not used to having to defend their own houses, streets and neighborhoods via block watches and midnight walks. I many minds, these tactics are measures of last resort. Folks pay the police and city government to perform these essential services.

Let’s face it - Lakewood as a whole is not experiencing a crime wave. However, certain neighborhoods are. In my mind, the issue facing the current and future administration is how best to engage the entire city to build a strategy that cleans-up the tarnished neighborhoods without scaring us all out of the city.

Perception is reality.

[Brad Hutchison]

I think that's generally a fair assessment, David. This thread has at points become a bit apocalyptic -- Lakewood is not Mogadishu. But crime is a virus - see the Broken Window Theory. If there is a crime spike in Lakewood, even in only a few neighborhoods, measures should be taken to treat problem areas and inoculate neighboring areas. Block watches are one way to help.

I've been fishing for other ideas, hoping to start a more constructive dialog.

It's a shame if people really do think of these things as "last resorts." These are first resorts. They are proactive and preventative.

[Mark Crnolatas]

Brad and fellow Deck-ers, I've been trying to organize a mobile block watch so to speak for 2 or 3 yrs now. Last night it more or less was started.

If your interested, PM me, and I'll explain the structure and answer any questions you might have.

There is a way to do things and a way NOT to do them especially in this concept.

Mark Allan Crnolatas

[Jim O'Bryan]

Dee

I am not asking anyone to take a blood oath.

I am asking residents that love Lakewood even like it to get engaged. But only if they want to.

Some of the ideas I speak of bother me, but I see some of it as taking one for the team. Again, I expect no one to take the oath who does not want to.

If I can promise it will be fun, enjoyable and give us positive results that benefit all, in the end, who knows.

Perception is not reality.

Perception is something that can be cleared up, changed, enlightened on.

Reality is far different.

I understand your point, and it plays well right now with all these politicians explaining to us that crime is out of control. It is not, if we are willing to get involved.

FWIW


.

[Diane Helbig]

Let’s face it - Lakewood as a whole is not experiencing a crime wave. However, certain neighborhoods are. In my mind, the issue facing the current and future administration is how best to engage the entire city to build a strategy that cleans-up the tarnished neighborhoods without scaring us all out of the city.

That's exactly right. The WHOLE city needs to get on board. All of us need to start paying attention and setting standards. My question becomes - when do we stop talking about it and start doing it?

The question obviously does not pertain to those folks who are taking action so please don't bash me for the question. Let's be honest, it's easy to talk about it, slightly more challenging to take action.

But it's action that is needed. I tell my clients that the best cure for fear is action. Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bobbie Hendrick]

What is it that people are afraid of, anyway? I felt safe in my home, but I felt very safe when I got a dog, which police have told me is the best security system. As I walk around town, I'm not afraid I'll be attacked. If I had a problem, I would yell and people would come out of their houses and help me. I know this because whenever there is an unusual disturbance on our street, people come out or call to see if we are all ok. It has almost always been nothing serious. Of course, I exercise common sense, and don't walk in isolated places alone after dark, etc. I don't know any drug dealers.

But for those who want more, there is this from the city website, as others have mentioned on this post.
"Block watch, or neighborhood watch, is an effective way to not only get to know your neighbors, but also to become more aware of what is going on in your neighborhood. Block watch is a resident-directed program that helps everyone, because a neighborhood becomes stronger, safer, and cleaner when residents watch out for each other. Police and human services also become more effective. If you are interested in starting a block watch program in your neighborhood, materials and information are available through the City. For more information or for a packet to get your program started, please call (216) 529-6657."

What more would you like to see in the way of action, Diane?

[Diane Helbig]

I'd like to see the city administration, staff, council get involved. We're all in this together. If everyone is paying attention and it becomes apparent that there is a level of expectation below which behavior will not be tolerated, it will make all the difference.

Sometimes it feels like there's a malaise in town; an 'it's not my job' kind of mentality. Well, it may not be in people's job descriptions, but, we all have a vested interest in the success of this city.

Just my 2 cents.