The Observation Deck

Anybody have anything to say about it?

I thought it was interesting hearing what some people had to say including the council people, the chief, and various residents. I think the next meetings will be interesting especially if they get into some substance.

I am a bit confused though as to what the expected outcome of this process is.

Did you go? What did you think?


Joe

I was moved by the turnout of concerned residents that all seemed willing to do their share to make Lakewood safer.

I had a chance to speak with Mary Louise Madigan in the hall about her efforts to get block watches going, with great success. I think we should think about taking these groups and members on to other streets.

Chief Malley once again was a star, as was Brian Corrigan.

Dan shields just left my office and summed it up best. "Well at least it is a start."

Joe is that you in the photo?


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Joe is that you in the photo?.

Ha. You won't see me. I'm a fly on the wall...

Jim,

Caught you! You are finally behind the curve on something. We are taking the block clubs to other streets. I have had requests and am providing support to get them started on Larchmont and Atkins Avenues. It seems that the Richland residents are well on their way also.

This will be great for Lakewood neighborhoods.

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:Jim,

Caught you! You are finally behind the curve on something. We are taking the block clubs to other streets. I have had requests and am providing support to get them started on Larchmont and Atkins Avenues. It seems that the Richland residents are well on their way also.

This will be great for Lakewood neighborhoods.

Ryan

I am behind the curve in many things. if it is not told over coffee, through a call, my vast underground network, then I have to count on council to post good news on the website.

I would be happy to help sponsor any of these events with coffee, or something.

Thanks for the hard work.


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I thought the meeting was very emotional and to the point. The residents who spoke were articulate and demanding of changes which cannot fall on deaf ears. I do think it could be a great start of some change. At least I hope so.

I was very bothered though, by the one man's comment that all of Lakewood's problems are from section 8 and the black race! My jaw dropped open and I can't believe a few people clapped! That is such archaic caveman mentality I was embarrassed to even hear it.

Has anyone asked for stats on crime and white???? It is quite extensive here, including most of the pedophiles! We won't move forward until people get rid of their racism and see the problems for what they are, multi-cultural.

And of course, the lack of basketball hoops and a teen center create more problems. I was impressed with the other residents heartfelt concerns demanding action. As a parent, you have a completely different perspective on safety. More monitoring of police, visibility, etc. is essential.

Good meeting though and looking forward to more and more block watches! Can we get one on Clarence?

Justine-

I'm sure it would come as no surprise to find out that the majority of Section 8 housing in Lakewood serves the elderly.

Wow I didn't even think of that. I agree that some section 8 housing needs revamped. Including the landlords doing their part and if any crime is committed in a section 8 house, then boot them.

But much of section 8 is also white too. This is not a black issue. It is so nice to read much of the deck and intelligent and articulate thoughtful people all with ideas to improve Lakewood! But I get tired of the few that spew racial and gay slurs and try to vilify that group! Open your eyes! This is not a black white issue! Regardless of what some may say, we are all brother and sisters from the same God and hate is hate is hate.

I have a good friend who lives on Lincoln who works at the award winning Ennis Court and has three children that do well in school, own their own home, and have not broken a law. They happen to be black. Don't tell me the color of a skin is the problem in Lakewood. We all the know and have identified the problems and now it is time for solutions, not hate or projection.

Oh, and her teenage daughter at the age of 14 started working at Ennis, NOT running the streets!!!

Thank you Justine - I've kind of felt alone calling people using the terms: section 8, thug and underclass as terms on this forum.

Section 8 and thug - read non-white
Under class - read poor

Glad to see I have support!

You probably have more than you know! The truth is, alot of the section 8 AND services to lower-income are to white in Lakewood, as well as Middle Eastern and other cultures. Being lower-income is not a crime and can happen to many middle class people if they go through a divorce or are left by their spouse with children to raise-and there are many men here in Lakewood whose wife left and/or are on drugs and they are raising the children!

So income level we do have to be careful about. With my college degree, if my husband decided to take off tomorrow would leave me quite low income! The judging has to stop, for sexual preference, income level, and color of skin, or Lakewood can't thrive and move forward and we would be missing the big real picture.

I hope now that so many solutions are being thrown out by so many intelligent people, that the positive changes can start, and preventative is always the key. We can do so much damage control, but prevention of any crisis is the easiest and most affordable way!

For those who criticized the money being spent on the Dare program, it had a huge influence on my son who detests the drug culture. Trust me, it is much easer to prevent it than to try to fix it after!