04-09-97 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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iVIINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 9,1997 Morelan suggested there may be the need for someone to review the seven cities and determine which neighborhoods are not covered by a neigliborhood watch group. Neighbors without a~roup should then be invited to participate in the program. Wilzbacher reported that he has a map in his office which shows the areas already covered by groups. Therefore, he will be able to target those areas without groups. Pedersen asked what the Sherift's Department's continuing contact is with neighbo~hood wltch groups. Wilzbad~er replied that groups are required to have two meetin~s per year, one ofwhich is attended by the SherifPs De}~lrtment. Fletcher indicated that the Sheriff's Department agrees with broadening the base of the neighborhood watch ~roups. However, what they have found is that groups are fairly active when there has been a problem in the neighborhood. Once these problems subside, the groups tend to fade away. Fletcher reported that neighUorhood watch provides a connective tissue for neighbors thlt wou(d not nonnally be there. Fletcher informed the Council about the phone systein that the Sheriff's Department will be installing. This system will allow tl~e Sl~eriff"s Department to send messlges into an area or to a large ~uunber of people at one time. The system can also be used by neighborhood watch groups to send messages to their participants. Scalze suggested this phone messaging system would be ideal for multi- family l~ousii~g managers. Fletcher agreed, and also pointed out that the system can be used to do pol(ing and well as has many other uses. The system will be used on a countywide basis. It will take some persou-power to get it going, but eventually the government will be using this technology to reach and communicate with people. Fahey asked who could be contacted regarding the residential and business security check program. Wilzbacher reported that the program ii~volves security checks of residential and business property. This service is free of cl~arge to Little Canada residents. Anyone interested can contact the Sheriffls Department at 484-3366, the Crime PrevenYiou Unit at 490-4503, or Volunteers in Public Service at 481-1766.