Recap: November 12 Neighborhood Working Group Meeting

Neighborhood Working Group

Topic: Community Safety

November 12, 2024

L. Claudia Allen Senior Center

Sandy Hostetter (Lift Orlando opened the meeting). Clay Rivers (Co-Chair of Neighborhood Working Group) welcomed the group and encouraged participants to put all their ideas on the table in this process. Natalie Lovero (Lift Orlando) shared a presentation (found here). 

The following are highlights from the group discussion:

 Lighting:

• Better lighting is needed in Washington Shores. Lack of lighting makes it difficult for the police to locate house numbers. Some of the mature trees block existing lighting.

• Safety is an issue at Gilbert McQueen Park. Better lighting is needed, particularly for dark spots in parking lot

• Bullet resistant lights are recommended so that they cannot be tampered with.

Policing:

• Participants complained that the police storefront on Goldwyn is never manned. They also noted that they do not feel a physical presence from the police. Having that presence signals that Lake Mann Homes is a priority. One participant suggested installing call boxes like on college campuses instead.

• Participants complained about the 911 system; claiming it rings extensively without being answered. In response, the OPD captain shared that, statistically, 99% of 911 calls answered in under 4 seconds which is among best response rate in central Florida. He requested that residents provide specifics about incidents of poor services so that OPD can address them. The group also discussed that there may be an issue with coordination of response with the county depending upon where a resident lives. Callers are often asked for a cross street to determine which entity should respond to a call for service.

• There is a need for community policing. Residents need have access to officers and commanders and should know their local officer(s).

• OPD tries to engage communities in a range of activities, including 

• Neighborhood Watch

• Safety training programs for elderly

• Camera giveaways including installation

• Neighborhood patrol unit- officers attempt to get to know all of the residents

• Array of positive youth activities

• Junior Law Enforcement Program – Jones High School (one of 2 sites)

• Shop with a Cop Christmas Party for 160 kids

• Florida Rights is a city adopted violence intervention program that works with perpetrators of violent crime. The program is currently in five neighborhoods but will be expanding to Lake Mann.

• One participant raised a concern about the lack of notice of police tactical action and/or big festivals at stadium i.e. Electric Daisy Festival/Garth Brooks so that they can plan accordingly. Somone suggested a phone tree to help disseminate information. It was noted that Commissioner Rose sends emails with updates on events and activities, but this correspondence may not reach everyone. Some residents do receive flyers, but it was suggested that the area of outreach may need to be expanded. Someone suggested that a 24-hour call center would be helpful to get out information in emergency situations. 

• OHA has a meeting scheduled with OPD and the Sherriff’s office on 11/21. The organizations meet regularly to address current issues.

• OHA recommends more gang unit officers.

• OHA noted that drug elimination funds from the federal government were very effective in helping coordinate with officers, but this resource is no longer available.

• OHA has armed night security at most sites, including Lake Mann Homes. They also hire off-duty police from 9:00pm-5:00am for hot spots but this is very expensive.

Community-based Programs:

• There was a suggestion of employing neighborhood captains, where residents help other residents.

Pedestrian Safety:

• Recommend reducing Goldwyn to two-lanes with larger sidewalk and beautification to slow traffic and discourage loitering.

• Recommend speed bumps along Spaulding and Eccleston

• Consider exploring solar lighting to light the sidewalks along the ground to reduce tripping

• Ensure new sidewalks are ADA compliant so persons with disabilities can easily navigate

• Paint curb cuts to make more visible

• There were complaints that scooters and bicycles are taking over the sidewalks. City staff noted that it is legal for bicycles and slow electric vehicles to use sidewalk but they must yield to pedestrians.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) measures at the redeveloped sites:

• Need quality street lighting in new development (and at Gilbert McQueen Park).

• Recommend security cameras on-site that are connected to OPD.

• Suggest installing solar-powered phone charging stations for emergencies.

• OHA has resisted installing park benches because they worry that they will attract criminals.

Supportive Services;

• Youth need more positive things to do.

• Organized activities at McQueen Park to play t-ball or baseball, particularly for the smaller kids.

• Bring back the Village House (city and county program) that provides safe space for tutoring, computer lab, reading programs, and other wrap around services so kids are productive.

• The OPD officer raised concerns about calls for service to address domestic issues that do not warrant police intervention. Need to address family dynamic in home; suggest mandated training/supports.

• Challenge for LMH kids to access Boys and Girls Club. Lift working to scholarship LMH kids and provide transportation. Could local churches help?

• OHA is interested to coordinate Tuskegee Airman pilot program in the community to expose local youth to aviation.

• Need to ensure kids have access to the internet; can make community Wi-Fi available?

• Could the old nursing home/CR Smith building be allocation for youth programming, i.e. gymnastics?

• Non-profits like Hopes and Dreams Team focus on moms (i.e. job skills, counseling, etc.) and then trickles down to kids.

• CETA was a great program back in the 80s that helped kids get job skills, i.e. welders, auto mechanic, etc.

• Neighborhood Youth Corps is available to all kids 4th grade and older; must have summer job and deposit funds into bank account.

• HEBNI nutrition is within walking distance of Lorna Doone; need presence near Lake Mann Homes.

• Additional ideas for programs and events, include:

• Recommend STEM programs for youth

• Nathaniel’s Hope + spin-off program

• Need water safety programs

• Health Fairs

• Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, particularly if it affords the opportunity to get a badge by working in the community

• Community calendar

• Walking group

• Community garden

• Festival of lights

• Block party

• History Walk

• Commercial Kitchen in neighborhood that offers a sit-down restaurant space and  creates job opportunities

• Entrepreneur resource center to support people with enterprising individuals

• Need to work on communication to get out information about existing services and programs. Need to address misunderstanding that Lift programs are only for West Lakes residents. 211 is not a helpful resource; consider developing a Resource Book both physical and electronic that is updated annually.

Other Safety Concerns:

• Car break-ins and car vandalism are issues in the neighborhood.

• Suggestion to train kids in de-escalation. 

• Issue with gun show at Camping World Stadium that attracts people from across the state; need better security at the event. 

• What happens if a child with an illegal gun is found in a unit? OHA responded that this may not necessarily result in eviction of the whole family unless the incident involves drugs or violence. OHA might trespass child from site after consultation with police.

• OHA conducts background checks on all households annually. If an incident is discovered, they consider the nature of the charge and whether it resulted in a conviction. Often OHA will pursue a stipulation.

• Need animal control to address pit bull issues; this has affected senior walking clubs.

• There was a suggestion to use drones to patrol.