Crime and Safety
June 2006
Attendees:
Tom Thompson, Chip Foot, Judy Westrum, me, Sara Graffunder, Lauri Dolezal, Karen Hallman, Leslie Perlich, Carol O’Connar, Jennifer Sprague, Anne Hansen, Lisa Goden (5th Pct Comm. Att.), Lynn Salmon Easter, Greg Easter, Pamela Washington. I have addresses for all.
Jennifer did a fine job of running the meeting. Tom took questions about the recent crime map. There were then questions about gangs in the area, 911 proceedure, gun shots, and the summer plans of the police for increased coverage.
Discussion of Westrums followed. It started well with the emphasis on the desire of the Task Force to work with Judy to find solutions to the stated problems, and our appreciation of her attendence. Judy said that she had placed signs in back and did have bouncers on duty all week long, and she requested a copy of the letter from 2001, to refresh her memory of just what she had promised to do. She also said that she had “86’d” some ten or a dozen patrons in the last couple of weeks for rowdiness and bad behavior, and requested the police to “drop by” for free food.
Judy was informed that if she could sign up 4 neighbors she could apply for a comm. int. grant to pay for alley speed bumps, and somebody wanted to start a list of things “to do” to alleviate the situation. I believe that is when Chip weighed in. He asked about city inforcement of noise and health regulations, and stated his intention of pursuing any violations until Judy took some action. He cited over-flowing garbage, patrons deficating in the alley, general noise at closing, and the dumping of glass bottles into the garbage at 2:00 A.M. He said he’d lived at his present address for 21 years (behind the bar), and he wasn’t interested in lists or promises or “feel good” stuff. He wanted results.
At this point Tom Thompson weighed in, noting that this group (the task force) had only been dealing with the situation for four months, and wanted to start off in a non-confrontational manner. We didn’t have 21 years of experience, and could only deal with things that were happening now. Chip left, at the least pleased to have been able to have his say, although with no confidence of improvement in the situation.
Judy seemed visually shaken, and claimed that she had no idea that Chip felt the way that he did (although he claimed he had been clear in his representations to her over the years). She also stated that the smoking ban had severely affected her revenues, and she had no money to do anything with regard the complaints, but she wanted to work with the Neighborhood to do what she could. Jennifer promised to stop buy Westrums to continue the discussion, and Judy left.
Discussion continued with regard to Westrum’s, and to other areas of the Neighborhood. The discussion was not particularly focused, but all opinions were noted and we finally adjorned about 8:45.
Judgement: It was a good meeting. Tom Thompson was very good at defusing the confrontation between Chip and Judy. The problem is still acute. Judy can hardly turn away customers as the smoking ban has cut her revenues
severely. The noise is probably more important than the rest, and she has promised to have her bouncers check out the back of the bar every half hour. The task force offered to meet at Westrums, and Judy was very receptive. If we want to save Westrums as a Neighborhood asset, we all need to start patronizing it. It’s not that hard to “re-take” a bar, without confrontation. Just use it.
The combination of Pump & Munch’s parking area, and Westrums make the area almost ideal for drug dealing. We can’t stop the drugs, but we can make the environment un-conducive to blatant and inappropriate behavior. Dammit, I want my drug dealers to be discreet and polite.
Summary provided by Arthur Knowles.