Passing this along from a neighbor, for those who may be interested and or affected. (Remember, too, that our Block Watch meeting is this Thursday, and that our Community Police Liaison is scheduled to attend):
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The Code Enforcement and Environment Committee of the University Area Commission, which includes Safety, is meeting this Wednesday night @ 6p.m. in Room 100, 2231 North High St. to discuss the incident that resulted in the shooting death of one of our residents outside of his home. This incident does not stand alone. There has been an increase in gun related crimes in the last few years throughout the University District, especially in the Northern portion. At Street-Grade Robberies involving the use of a weapon, particularly a gun, has vastly increased since the closing of the Arcadia Police Sub-station, the move of Core-Campus Bars to North of Lane Avenue, the Columbus Public School System’s closing of several local schools, the continual absence of a Columbus Police Neighborhood Liaison Officer, and the City/OSU Redevelopment Project of Weinland Park.
We are seeking input and information from residents surrounding the incident on July 3rd and any other similar incident in recent months, as well as updates from City and Police officials of the ongoing investigation. Is this shooting incident a ‘stand alone’, or is it related to other on going investigations. Who are the suspects in the other gun related crimes and why is that information not included in the Public Accessible Online Police Reports at columbuspolice.org? Have any recent arrests been made in the U-district governing robberies at gun-point? If so, how has this information been passed along to residents and community leaders?
The Code Enforcement and Environment Committee (C&E) has been meeting each month on the first Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Godman Guild Library, corner of 6th St. and 6th Ave. The last three or so months has been strictly dedicated to solutions in regards to violent crimes found in our district. Our fear was, the street-grade at-gun-point Robberies would escalate and some day soon, a death would occur as a result. We may now be, at that impasse.
We are looking at several suggestions coming out of this committee: a more direct approach of disseminating information to and from our constituents; a spike crime area postcard with info and solutions; installation of more ‘lower’ level street lighting; increase of Blockwatches to eventually covering every block; a Citizens Crime Patrol; an Autumn Safety Conference targeting all local colleges and university students living within our boundaries, as well as area residents, businesses and visitors.
This Wednesday night’s meeting may be a precursor to this Fall’s conference. It is time to make the University District the safest community inside the City of Columbus. AND a great place to live, shop , raise families and play!
Meeting: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 @ 6 p.m.
2231 North High St., Room 100
Southwest corner on W. Northwood & N. High Sts.
Parking in the rear
Invited: Public
Residents where shooting occurred
Columbus Police Officials
City Counselors who sit on the Public Safety Committee
University Area Commissioners
Neighborhood Leaders
News Mediums
Confirmed Speakers:
Cmdr. Bowling, CPD
Lt. Wittich, CPD
Tom Wildman, UAC & ONCBW
Contact: Tom Wildman
twildman2@hotmail.com
614-325-5395
Respectfully,
Tom Wildman
Chair & Co-ordinator
Code Enforcement and Environment Committee
Olde North Columbus Blockwatch
University Area Commission
Olde North Columbus Preservation Society
http://www.dispatch.com/conten
http://www.nbc4i.com/story/227
http://www.dispatch.com/conten
http://chronicle.
p.s. Please pass this invitation on to anyone else you feel would be concerned.