The city is at war with those who break the law, says the council president.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — Debbie Lovas and her husband, Larry Dueber, have been excited at the turnout at the North West Neighborhood Association meetings.
"It surprised us," Lovas, association coordinator, said of the interest generated by the association since September when the Estabrook Avenue couple started what's more than a neighborhood crime watch.
Lovas, 53, recalls walking around with Dueber, 57, last August passing out fliers announcing its initial meeting.
Rather than the 10 neighbors they expected, 54 showed up for the September meeting.
"It just went nuts," Lovas said of the 70 who attended in October, 60 to 70 in November and 50 to 60 in January.
When the association met Wednesday night at Grace United Methodist Church at Drexel Avenue and Montcrest Drive, the crowd has escalated to about 100 residents.
It attracted most city council members, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien and members of his administration.
The association covers the 1st Ward and northern portion of the 7th Ward.
Purpose of group
The group is about more than calling police if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.
Lovas said the group's goal is to purchase property and build a community center. "There is nothing for the kids to do. They are getting in trouble," she added.
So far, Lovas said, the association has managed to get a drug house shut down, picked up debris in some areas and done some painting. They've received a $1,000 anonymous donation.
"We're excited. We have so many things going on," Lovas said.
Association members are putting together a color-coded map of the neighborhood to determine which houses are occupied, which are abandoned and which are up for sale.
It's being done to keep track of abandoned properties and to start a Welcome Wagon for those moving in.
One of the primary concerns at the Wednesday night session was Stonegate Place Apartment complex at the corner of Tod and Roberts avenues.
It is the scene of the city's latest homicide April 11 when Jeremiah Cole, 22, of Howland Township was shot in the head driving through the apartment complex parking lot.
Police priority
Police Capt. Jim Roberts told the group that Stonegate is the No. 1 priority of the police department.
Roberts and O'Brien said the police have increased patrols at Stonegate and other trouble spots in the city.
"We're hoping to put a clamp on it," Roberts said of the illegal activity.
"It's not going to be tolerated," O'Brien commented of the activities in the apartment complex.
The mayor noted that vehicles without license plates will be towed and couches will be removed from front porches.
In addressing neighborhood blight, O'Brien called attention to lawmakers' funding the demolition of 100 houses annually rather than the usual 20 to 25 structures.
The meeting took on an us-against-them atmosphere.
"I can move, but I won't move, said resident Joe Novak, who restored his home three blocks from Stonegate.
Novak said he is tired of keeping up his property only to be threatened by juveniles walking through it.
He pledged not to watch the Northwest section deteriorate as other sides of the city.
Encourages involvement
Council President Robert A. Marchese called on residents to work with the police.
"You are in a war. We are in a war," Marchese told the group. "Citizen involvement is a way to combat crime."
Others attended the forum to get information.
"I want to know what's going on in our neighborhood," said Angie Terbovich of Parkwood Drive.
She called attention to people moving off the Northwest section and nobody taking care of the vacant properties. She said it's younger people who are losing their homes because they can't pay the mortgage.
Ann Dawson, also of Parkwood, said she was looking for help to curb the problem of large dogs running loose in the neighborhood.
Dennis Bailey of Raymond Street attended to find out what can be done about juveniles walking down the middle of the street. He's also irked about illegal four-wheelers speeding through the neighborhood. He said he calls the police, but the speeders are gone by the time police arrive.
yovich@vindy.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
The city is at war with those who break the law, says the council president.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — Debbie Lovas and her husband, Larry Dueber, have been excited at the turnout at the North West Neighborhood Association meetings.
"It surprised us," Lovas, association coordinator, said of the interest generated by the association since September when the Estabrook Avenue couple started what's more than a neighborhood crime watch.
Lovas, 53, recalls walking around with Dueber, 57, last August passing out fliers announcing its initial meeting.
Rather than the 10 neighbors they expected, 54 showed up for the September meeting.
"It just went nuts," Lovas said of the 70 who attended in October, 60 to 70 in November and 50 to 60 in January.
When the association met Wednesday night at Grace United Methodist Church at Drexel Avenue and Montcrest Drive, the crowd has escalated to about 100 residents.
It attracted most city council members, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien and members of his administration.
The association covers the 1st Ward and northern portion of the 7th Ward.
Purpose of group
The group is about more than calling police if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.
Lovas said the group's goal is to purchase property and build a community center. "There is nothing for the kids to do. They are getting in trouble," she added.
So far, Lovas said, the association has managed to get a drug house shut down, picked up debris in some areas and done some painting. They've received a $1,000 anonymous donation.
"We're excited. We have so many things going on," Lovas said.
Association members are putting together a color-coded map of the neighborhood to determine which houses are occupied, which are abandoned and which are up for sale.
It's being done to keep track of abandoned properties and to start a Welcome Wagon for those moving in.
One of the primary concerns at the Wednesday night session was Stonegate Place Apartment complex at the corner of Tod and Roberts avenues.
It is the scene of the city's latest homicide April 11 when Jeremiah Cole, 22, of Howland Township was shot in the head driving through the apartment complex parking lot.
Police priority
Police Capt. Jim Roberts told the group that Stonegate is the No. 1 priority of the police department.
Roberts and O'Brien said the police have increased patrols at Stonegate and other trouble spots in the city.
"We're hoping to put a clamp on it," Roberts said of the illegal activity.
"It's not going to be tolerated," O'Brien commented of the activities in the apartment complex.
The mayor noted that vehicles without license plates will be towed and couches will be removed from front porches.
In addressing neighborhood blight, O'Brien called attention to lawmakers' funding the demolition of 100 houses annually rather than the usual 20 to 25 structures.
The meeting took on an us-against-them atmosphere.
"I can move, but I won't move, said resident Joe Novak, who restored his home three blocks from Stonegate.
Novak said he is tired of keeping up his property only to be threatened by juveniles walking through it.
He pledged not to watch the Northwest section deteriorate as other sides of the city.
Encourages involvement
Council President Robert A. Marchese called on residents to work with the police.
"You are in a war. We are in a war," Marchese told the group. "Citizen involvement is a way to combat crime."
Others attended the forum to get information.
"I want to know what's going on in our neighborhood," said Angie Terbovich of Parkwood Drive.
She called attention to people moving off the Northwest section and nobody taking care of the vacant properties. She said it's younger people who are losing their homes because they can't pay the mortgage.
Ann Dawson, also of Parkwood, said she was looking for help to curb the problem of large dogs running loose in the neighborhood.
Dennis Bailey of Raymond Street attended to find out what can be done about juveniles walking down the middle of the street. He's also irked about illegal four-wheelers speeding through the neighborhood. He said he calls the police, but the speeders are gone by the time police arrive.
yovich@vindy.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Debbie Lovas and her husband, Larry Dueber, have been excited at the turnout at the North West Neighborhood Association...
