Using parks - Crime prevention strategy #1
Rebekah Smith
1. Using our parks is crime prevention strategy #1 – Welcome to Ice Cream, Peanut Butter & Jam
2. Can you name all eight City parks in Union Park?
3. Do you hesitate to call 911? - A personal story
4. Tips
5. Meetings and Links
---------------------------
1. Using our parks is crime prevention strategy #1 – Welcome to "Ice Cream, Peanut Butter & Jam"
The message at the last Western District Police Community meeting was timely. Using our parks is an excellent way to set a tone that can push unwanted activity and crime out. In the meantime, Union Park District Council has been busy planning its first music event at Merriam Park, Ice Cream, Peanut Butter & Jam. A comment I saw on Facebook made me realize how much we need this kind of community programming in our parks:
"Merriam Park? Is this for some sort of event? I've never seen a show in that neighborhood. Sounds awesome!"
To volunteer at Ice Cream, Peanut Butter and Jam, see our website. This will be a great place to share crime prevention materials. If you can help while enjoying good food and music, let us know! Also, a super easy thing you can do to help is share our event on Facebook. We'd love to see you there!
2. Can you name all eight parks in Union Park?
Try it. Take our quiz online. Is the park in your neighborhood represented on our Parks & Recreation Committee? What activities would you like to see in the parks nearest you?
3. Do you hesitate to call 911?
Below a message from the Western District Police Department's Facebook page. It reiterates what we have been hearing at the monthly community meetings, which are open to the public and held on the third Tuesday of the month at the police station at 389 N. Hamline Avenue, across the street from Target in the Midway Shopping Center.
"Please be aware of anyone or anything unusual or suspicious in your neighborhoods and do not hesitate to call 911 immediately! Help to be the eyes & ears for police who want, need, and appreciate your calls."
Even as the person who is supposed to be spreading this message, I too can second guess myself when it comes to calling 911. Just the other day, I saw something that didn't seem right. I almost let it go because I couldn't put my finger on it; instead I decided to listen to my gut.
I called the police to report an individual who was walking a Nice Ride Bike off road along the railroad tracks. Why did this seem suspicious? It just did. Did the dispatcher scold me for wasting his time? No. He asked me for details and said that he would send a squad car. But wait? What if there was an actual emergency? Aren't we diverting police away from more important things? No.
That's why we have dispatchers. We don't need to do their job, which is to prioritize calls. We need to do our job, which is to report anything unusual or suspicious in our neighborhoods.
Later, I realized what bugged me about someone walking a Nice Ride Bike out of way of where I would normally see them. I don't use these bikes, but I understand that they are mainly designed for quick errands, although they are getting some use by tourists. I was pretty sure that I wasn't looking at a tourist. So, if I were being charged by the minute to rent a bike designed for 30-minute trips, why would I be leisurely walking it in the middle of nowhere?
I'll concede that there might have been be a good explanation for what I saw. I might have had it all wrong. I couldn't be 100 percent sure. Often that's the way it is when we see "anything unusual or suspicious." Is that what stops you from calling 911? You're not 100 percent sure?
4. Tips
Timers for indoor lighting are a great way to make it appear as if someone may be at home while you are away.
Consider leaving outside lights on or install motion or dusk to dawn lights. Criminals do not want to be seen – lighting is a great deterrent plus, outdoor lights help to provide a lighted path when you return home and, your neighbors and police can see if someone is lurking around your home.
Help your neighbors, neighborhood, and yourself by being alert to unusual behavior or activity and ALWAYS call 911 immediately so police can investigate. Do for your neighbors, as you would want them to do for you.
5. Links
UPDC Neighborhood Issues Committee (NIC)
The Neighborhood issues committee welcomes your participation as we work on issues of crime and safety, traffic calming, pedestrians, neighborhood communications and outreach.
When: 3rd Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Where: Merriam Park Recreation Center
Next Meeting: THIS Tuesday, July 16
See our calendar for the most current information.
Western District Police Community Meetings
The St. Paul Police Department invites community members to participate in monthly discussions about crime and crime prevention in our neighborhoods.
When: Monthly on 3rd Tuesdays at 9:30am and 6:30pm.
Where: Western District Police Office, 389 N. HAMLINE AVE. (I-94 & HAMLINE)
St. Paul PoliceDepartment – Western District on Facebook
DistrictCouncil Crime Statistics
Rebekah Smith
Community Resilience & Engagement Director
Union Park District Council