April, 2003
A beautiful spring day provided the perfect backdrop for the Community Festival held on April 12 in the Fairways Community. Over 125 adults and young people came out to meet their neighbors, receive information on county services and community resources, and enjoy the festivities put together by the Boards of Fairways, Grand Bel Manor and Grand Bel II, in partnership with the Mid-County Neighborhood Initiative (MCNI).
Representatives from Park and Recreation, Montgomery County Police, the State's Attorney's Office, Victim Services, Congressman Wynn's office, and the MCNI were on-site to provide information and answer questions. The Montgomery County Fire Department, complete with a fire engine, delighted young and old residents, as they were able to tour the impressive vehicle and talk with Fire Department representatives.
Prizes were raffled off as an incentive for completing a Community Needs Assessment Survey. Sincere thanks to the property management companies, CMI and Shea, for their generous support of this event. Thanks to St. Matthews Presbyterian Church who provided tables for our vendors, displays, and activities.
Finally, a great big thank you to planning committee members Barbara Latta, Kirsten Candia, Daisy Hamlett, Nancy Riches, and Blanca Kling for the countless hours spent preparing for this event.
Please see the recruitment flyer attached to this mailing. If you would like to receive additional flyers for distribution, or have any questions, please contact Stephanie Jennings, 240-777-8114, Stephanie.Jennings at co.mo.md.us .
This project will have a lasting impact on the Wheaton Central Business District and the Hewitt Avenue Bel Pre Corridor. Please support the YouthMapping effort by assisting with recruitment, getting the word out about YouthMapping in the community, and offering encouragement to the Mappers in their canvassing efforts.
The Community Mobilization Subcommittee has been meeting monthly to develop a plan for sustained, diverse, community involvement in the MCNI strategic planning efforts. Community outreach events, forums, and outreach at existing community venues are being planned for the coming year. This month, the Governor's office provided a technical assistance specialist, Lindsay Beane, who shared her community mobilization experiences in the Parker Heights area of Baltimore City. Committee members learned a lot from Lindsay's hands-on experiences and insights, and her presentation helped to strengthen and refine our mobilization efforts.
The Community Mobilization Subcommittee will be staffing a table at the Month of the Young Child Event at Westfield Plaza on April 26, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. We will be facilitating a fun, child friendly community-building activity, as well as getting families to fill out community needs assessment surveys. Volunteers are still needed to assist with this event. Shifts are short! We are seeking just one-hour of service per volunteer. If you would like to help out, please contact Stephanie Jennings at 240-777-8114, Stephanie.Jennings at co.mo.md.us .
The Youth Strategies Consolidated Grant (YSGC) was submitted this month, seeking over one million dollars to support a continuum of services for children, youth and families in the Hewitt Ave Bel Pre Corridor, the Wheaton Central Business District as well as two communities in Takoma Park. Sincere thanks to those of you who sent in letters of support for this grant application.
The Community Policing/Community Maintenance Subcommittee hosted a forum with MCPD District 4 Commander Patty Walker on March 27 at Argyle Middle School. The forum explored issues, strategies, resources, and collaborative partnerships needed to develop a community policing strategy specific to the Hewitt Ave Bel Pre Corridor.
MCPD resource issues are the primary reason that communities do not have designated beat officers, and extra patrols. Residents shared personal experiences of crime and nuisance issues in their specific communities, including drug activity, trespassing, vandalism, graffiti, homelessness, and other issues. Residents would like access to crime statistics in their areas, to assist with planning new community-based crime prevention strategies.
Parole and Probation officers were present at the meeting and expressed a desire to work with residents in the area, much like they are currently doing in the Wheaton Central Business District.
The coordinator of the Wheaton Hot Spot shared information about the FY 04 Wheaton CBD HotSpot grant, which includes an expansion plan for the Hewitt Ave Bel Pre Corridor. This would ensure one designated project officer for the expansion area, as well as the creation of a more formalized Hot Spot safety team.
The meeting was an excellent step toward encouraging open, honest dialogue and gaining a commitment from those present to strengthen our partnerships in support of effective community-based crime control and prevention.
Must be available for a two-day training, May 13 and 14, 3:30--7:30 pm; and mapping hours: May 19-23; 27-29; June 2-5; 9-12 from 3:30--6:30 pm each day.
Please submit a resume by April 30, 2003 to Stephanie Jennings, MCNI, 2424 Reedie Dr., Wheaton, MD 20902, or email to Stephanie.Jennings@co.mo.md.us§ On-Site Project Coordinator $15.00/hour, no benefits Professional position involving the coordination of the planning and fieldwork of the Community YouthMapping process, which is the collection and recording of geographical informational data. Responsible for working with youth and adults daily to monitor their task assignment, survey methods and data entry. Responsible for the safety of youth and adults at all times and assist youth in problem solving. Assist in the collection and preparation of data for formal and informal presentation. Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to analyze facts, maintain records, prepare reports and exercise sound judgment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with young people and adults. Bachelor's Degree preferred. Field Supervisors $12.00/hour, no benefits Position involves fieldwork with the public for the collection and recording of geographical informational data. Work involves a significant amount of public contact in providing and soliciting data. Responsible for working with youth daily to monitor their task assignment, survey method and data entry; will act as field supervisor accounting for whereabouts of youth at all times and assist you in problem solving. Excellent written and oral communications skills; previous leadership or supervisory experience with young people desirable; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. High School Diploma or GED required.
From Rob Musser and Gabby Liquorie,
MCPD, Wheaton HotSpot Coordinators
The Montgomery County Police Department is preparing to submit a grant for continuation funding of the Wheaton Central Business District HotSpot as well as an expansion plan that includes the Hewitt Ave Bel -Pre Corridor. Letters of support are a critical piece of this competitive grant process. Please take a few minutes to draft a letter of support for this important funding that will further community-based crime control and prevention efforts in both of these areas.
The letter should say what you or your organization do (i.e. business, government entity, resident), agency description if applicable, how you have worked/or hope to work with the HotSpot program, and how you think it has helped/will help the community.
Address all letters to:
Mr. John F. Tewey Governor's Office of Crime Control& Prevention 300 East Joppa Road, Suite 1105 Baltimore, Maryland 21286
Letters can be returned to Officer Musser, NO LATER THAN APRIL 25, in the following ways:
Questions: Call Gabi at 240-876-3190