2002-09-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1852 September 23, 2002 calling about problems in this neighborhood. She knows that they are being called, but they must not be filling out paperwork. Juveniles aren't being cited, because the police are not writing reports, which are needed in order to take further action against them. Police are refusing to do anything about juveniles. What is happening north of Olive is very serious and needs to be addressed immediately. Kathy Straatman, 6823 Crest, stated that she is a member of the Roth Grove Neighborhood. She has met with several concerned citizens, police officials and Councilmember Colquitt about the concerns being mentioned tonight. Some of the suggestions by the police officials were unhelpful, inadequate and insulting. There is a lack of police following through with calls by writing reports, the poor attitude of the police, intimidation from police when citizens report juvenile demeanor. Major Adams told her that it was the citizen's responsibility to make the police officers write the reports. He also mentioned he couldn't help her unless she had specific times and dates of all incidents. It is inexcusable that a handful of people are allowed to degrade a neighborhood. There are a number of dismayed and discouraged citizens that wish some attention to these concerns immediately. Minnie Hall, 6545 Avalon, wished to note some concerns. She mentioned that there are alleys in much need of repair. Also trees need to be pruned and branches cut back. More salt needs to be applied to the streets in the winter time. She also mentioned a problem with non residents coming in and putting trash in their dumpster or setting trash beside the dumpster. Trees need to be cut back enough so that the street lights can do a better job of lighting the streets for safety purposes. Nettie Yates, 6510 Etzel, stated that the police are not doing a good enough job over there. She can't sleep with the loud music, people walking the street all times of the night, cars, drug selling. The alleys need to be fixed and not just patched. The trees need to be trimmed and the people should be required to clean up their yards. She feels that University City has gone completely down. Loretta Bryant, 7863 Milan, is the President of the Belmont Hills - Mendel Neighborhood Association. She agrees that some police officers do not fill out paperwork. She knows that some of them do, however. She recounted an incident that had happened to her and her daughter. The police were to investigate and she has yet to hear back from them. She had called Mr. Donaldson three times and he had not returned her phone calls. When they did connect, he tried to talk her into not pressing charges because it involved a juvenile. Parents need to be responsible for the kids. We are not doing what we are supposed to be doing in U. City today. We were doing something right thirty years ago, but it has definitely changed. People want to move away from U. City. There are too many empty houses that are being used for drug dealing. The inspectors are coming by, but they aren't seeing anything. We need the Council's and Mr. Ollendorff's help.