From fireworks run afoul to foul behavior run amok, concerns of PSA 107 residents will now be addressed not only through calls, the MPD-1D listserv and over back fences, but through the new “walks and Talks” program created by Lieutenant Michael Thornton of PSA 107. The first is this week, so get your orange (or straw hat version thereof) crime hat on fast.
Thornton told listserv members he had been noting their concerns about illegal fireworks and other issues, and wants to offer something “better to serve the citizens of PSA 107” and make the community safer. Incidentally, according to statistics from NeighborhoodInfo DC, a project of The Urban Institute and Washington DC Local Initiatives Support Corp., violent crimes per 1,000 people slightly fell to 9.7 instances per 1,000 people in 2007 from 11 per 1,000 people in 2000 in PSA 107. Property crimes increased slightly inversely to that, though.
And now, Lieutenant Thornton has instituted a series of “Walk and Talks.”
“In these ‘Walk and Talks,’ myself along with various members of PSA 107 will walk and talk with citizens to identify the problem areas which concern YOU (the citizens) the most. I would like these “Walk and Talks” to be conducted throughout our PSA, and for all citizens to be involved. These “Walk and Talks” will be scheduled on various dates and times to better accommodate everyone’s schedule,” he wrote.
“It is something new I am starting in order to better identify the top concerns of our citizens,” Thornton told THIH. “My vision for this is to ultimately spread it out at other areas within PSA 107, and flex the times during days and evenings in order to make myself more available to those who may work in the evenings.”
The first will be this Friday, July 9, 2010 at 8pm at 15th and Independence Ave SE. For those interested we will walk the areas of 14th-19th- East Capitol St to Independence Ave SE. These “Walk and Talks” will be in addition to our regularly scheduled monthly PSA meetings. Please feel free to contact me directly at michael.thornton@ dc.gov or at 202-425-7659.