October 2008 / Meeting Notes

Hello Neighbors,

Another amazing meeting last Wednesday! We had the Kohut boys helping to set up chairs. They are in their 70’s, have lived in the neighborhood all their lives and haven’t given up on the neighborhood! Girl Scouts provided refreshments and took care of the sign-in desk. We had some very enthusiastic newcomers who are fired up and ready to make some noise!

Our BACKUP (Blight And Crime Kept Under Patrol) is getting off to a great start. They are becoming increasingly familiar with the neighborhood and the pockets of iniquity within. They are compiling evidence that will no doubt be crucial in ridding our neighborhood of the crime and grime that has too often been overlooked or ignored. There is no room for complacency anymore. They are out morning, afternoon, evening, and late night….yes, they give up Letterman to be out there and will even tell you it is more fun!! The patrol should be getting its equipment from Metro Parks very soon so be on the lookout for them because they will be on the lookout for your well-being! Please call in anything you see so it can add to our mounting body of evidence! Jeanie Peterson from HAC has offered to mentor our patrol. (by the way check out the article on Jeanie and video on what they achieved on Hilltop….they actually had an 80% reduction in crime!!!) Here’s the link… http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/tacoma/story/372098.html


David Whited, Planner for the Puyallup Tribe, fielded questions from attendees and gave us much valuable insight into the history and future plans of the tribe. It is very exciting to be part of such an historic partnership! In case you haven’t seen the show on Channel 12 about the creek clean up…you really should see just how beautiful it is down there! We are sure to rival Point Defiance or Chambers Creek once the First Creek project is brought to fruition. Our neighborhood will be on the map!!! And in the tourist guides!!! And an area to be proud to live in….

John Reeves, Tacoma Code Enforcement, helped us see how reasonable he is in dealing with the abatement issues. Many people are simply not aware of the resources available to them. Time and again folks say they are concerned with the welfare of the homeless in the area or are worried about the senior citizens or the disabled or those lacking the financial means to tend to their properties properly. Resources are available and we are all working hard to get the word out there. Volunteers are available and funds are available and other resources are available….for those who are “in the know”. So, please, help us in getting the word out….

Chris Ott, who also works for the city in many capacities, helped us to see the bright, shiny future we have ahead if we all pitch together. His first love is the environment but he realizes that it encompasses much more than trees and animals. He is an optimist but a realist and I am so glad we got to meet with him more extensively after the meeting. He is in our corner, as it were, in this boxing match against the crime and grime. You can also see Chris on the Channel 12 program about the creek. (also starring our very own Edwin Magrum)

There’s another program starring our awesome CLO, Bert Hayes, that was very insightful….so check out channel 12 when you get a chance!!!

Pitching together is what really happened at that meeting. Folks volunteered to take on leadership roles to oversee various tasks like flyers, block watches, phone trees, problem properties, and the like. Those folks won’t be alone in their efforts because there are others who have a burning desire to help but who may be shy or otherwise reluctant to step forward for fear that the entire burden will be laid upon them. Not the case here. We are a team!

Have you seen our blog yet???? Dan Fear stepped up and created it that same evening…a task beyond my comprehension. It is http://firstcreek.blogspot.com/

Check it out!!!

Did we have a special visitor to this meeting? Of course! Kathleen Merryman of the Tacoma News Tribune was in attendance and spent the next day touring the neighborhood with Guy and me. We showed her all the problems we have, told her of the efforts we are all , and of the hopes (dare we dream?) we all have for our community. Read her take on things at

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/columnists/merryman/story/500503.html First Creek Neighbors you are getting attention!!!

Things are happening so quickly…Next on the agenda for us is dealing with our blackberry encampment issue. We have folks who are either squatting on vacant properties and defecating in public or are living in the blackberries and also carrying on other illegal and/or unsanitary behaviors. We are working on a “committee” to address how to make a concerted effort at eliminating this problem in a way that is a win-win for all. The issue is complicated but not unsolvable.

We have another problem that is being looked into and that is the vacant properties themselves. Many are being foreclosed upon or are bank-owned or otherwise abandoned. Those properties present an issue in that they are unkempt, unsightly, unsafe….you get the picture…in fact, if we just take off the blinders we have convinced ourselves to wear, we can really see the picture for what it is.

We have flowers, plants and trees available to us…free…we just have to pick them up and/or get homeowner permission to plant! Have you ever driven through Bellevue? We may never look as colorful as that but we have an awesome chance here! Can you imagine driving down a street and seeing beautiful flowers and trees…like liquid amber….instead of abandoned, junk vehicles or RV’s that are falling apart or mattresses tossed out on the curb? Or roses splashed against the wall instead of graffiti??? It can happen…ask how??? We need someone to go pick them up in behalf of the group? Anyone going to be in Puyallup????

I still have more free light bulbs from TPU so that you can keep your porch lights on at night….one of the most cost-effective ways to curb crime!!! It is only PENNIES a month!!!!! Contact me and I will be sure you get one! Or if your next door neighbor has a dark yard and could use one, let me know and we can be sure they get one!!! We must make this neighborhood less desirable for the undesirables!!!!

If you haven’t been in touch with me previously, let me know if you enjoy receiving these updates so I will be sure to keep you in the loop. Knowledge is power and I want you to be empowered! First Creek Neighbors are becoming a force to be reckoned with so come on board with us or, at least, let me know to keep you in the loop.


Specific ways you can help?
Call in any suspicious behavior! Then call us!
Report street lights that are out
Report stop signs that are missing
Report Graffiti immediately
Keep your Porch Lights on at Night
Plant a flower or two!!!


Email for more easy ways you can be part of the solution!!!
Lena

Just One of Many of First Creek’s Neighbors
J

p.s. next meeting is November 5th

Important Telephone Numbers

Where to call for help!

911 Supervisor / 798-4721
Abandoned Vehicles / 591-5926
Adolescent Services, Pierce Co. / 502-5470
Adult Protective Services (State) / 475-7212
AIDS Foundation / 383-2565
Alcoholics Anonymous / 474-8897
Alley Grading / 591-5496
Alley Lighting / 502-8618
Animal Care & Control / 627-7387 (PETS)
Building Inspector / 573-2320
Catholic Community Services / 383-5526
Call-2-Haul (Trash Pick-up) / 573-2468
Cart Recovery (Grocery Stores) / 1-866-906-CART
Centro Latino SER / 572-7717
Child Abuse Hotline / 1-800-363-4276
Child Care Referral / 591-2025
Child Protective Services / 983-6100
Child Reconciliation Services (teens) / 983-6100+2

Community Centers
Portland Ave Community Center / 591-5391
South End Community Center / 591-5098

Comprehensive Mental Health / 756-9960
Consumer Protection, State / 593-2904
Crime-Free Housing / 591-5160
Crisis Line, Pierce County (24 Hrs) / 1-800-576-7764
Disability Employment – TACID / 565-9000 X25
Dispute Resolution, Center for / 572-3657

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Crisis Line (24-Hours) / 475-9010
YWCA Hot Line (24-Hour) / 383-2593
Domestic Violence Help Line / 798-4166
(Good Referral Service)
Protection Order / 591-7455

Dump (Landfill), City / 591-5543
Earthquake Preparedness / 798-7470
East Side Boys and Girls Club / 474-2266
Election Office / 798-7430

EMPLOYMENT
Private Industry Council / 591-5450
Job Corps / 572-7140
Work Source (Placement—+3or4) / 593-7300
EORC (Education/Jobs) / 572-5960

Energy Conservation Office / 582-8363
Garbage Violations / 591-5543
Gardening / 472-7264
Grandparents Raising Children / 565-4484
Grief, Acquainted with / 272-5558
Hate Crimes / 594-7843
Hazardous Waste Disposal / 591-5418
Health Department, Pierce Co. / 798-6440
Hilltop Action Coalition / 383-3056 X112
Homeownership Center of Tacoma / 627-6560
Human Rights / 591-5151
Humane Society /383-2733
Indo-Chinese Cultural Service Center / 473-5666
Junk Vehicles / 591-5015
HEROS (Outreach to Seniors) / 445-8120

LEGAL SERVICES
Columbia Legal Services / 572-6000
CLEAR Legal Advice / 1-888-201-1014

Library, Main (Quick Info) / 591-5666
MLK Housing Development / 627-1099

MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES
Comprehensive Mental Health / 756-9960
Crisis Line, Pierce Co. (24 Hrs) / 1-800-576-7764
Suicide – Crisis Line / 1-800-576-7764

Narcotics Anonymous / 531-8792
PAAYS / 572-1129
Power outage, fallen wires / 502-8602
Property Owner (Taxpayer) Info / 798-6111
Puyallup Tribe of Indians / 597-6200
Recycling / 565-5955
Refuse (Garbage) / 591-5543
Restraining Order / 591-7455
Safe Streets / 272-6824

SCHOOLS
Birney ES / 571-4600
Blix ES / 571-1380
Boze ES / 571-4688
Fawcett ES / 571-4700
Fern Hill ES / 571-3888
Larchmont ES / 571-2092
Lister ES / 571-2900
Lyon ES / 571-2090
McKinley ES / 571-2070
Mann ES / 571-6300
Roosevelt ES / 571-4400
Sheridan ES / 571-2076
Stafford ES / 571-4300
Whitman ES / 571-2077
Baker MS / 571-5000
Gault MS / 571-1405
Stewart MS / 571-4200
McIlvaigh MS / 571-2080
Lincoln HS / 571-6700

Sex Offender Releases pso.co.pierce.wa.us
Sexual Assault Hotline / 474-7273
Sexual Assault Crisis Center / 597-6424
Shared Housing / 272-1532
Sidewalks hazardous / 591-5270
Speed Reduction Applications / 591-5269
Street Sweeping, Pot-Holes / 591-5495
Streetlighting, Burned-Out / 591-5287
Streetlighting, Upgrading / 591-5278
Suicide – Crisis Line / 1-800-576-7764
Tacoma CARES / 591-5001
Tacoma Community House / 383-3951
Tacoma Housing Authority / 207-4400
Teen-agers in trouble / 1-800-422-7556
Traffic Engineering / 591-5269
Traffic Infractions (leave message) / 594-7873+0
Trash, Curbside Pick-Up (Call-2-Haul) / 573-2468
Trees in Planting Strip, Recommendations / 591-5495
Truancy Center / 571-2123

Urban League, Tacoma / 383-2006
Urban League Academy / 597-6436
Skills Training / 272-8288
School-to-Work/MASAI / 597-6435

Unemployment Info (Work Source) / 593-7300
United Way HELP Line / 572-4357
Voter Registration / 798-7430
Water out, leaks (after hours 502-8344) / 502-8384
WSU Coop. Extension County Office / 798-7180
Master Gardener / 798-7170
Youth-At-Risk (Becca Law) / 798-7944
Youth Outreach (Campfire) / 597-6234
Y.M.C.A. / 597-6444

ELECTED OFFICIALS

TACOMA
Mayor, Bill Baarsma / 591-5100
City Council Member Rick Talbert / 591-5100 (office)

PIERCE COUNTY
County Executive
John Ladenburg / 798-7477

County Council Member
Tim Farrell / 798-7590
Barbara Gelman / 798-6653
Dick Muri / 798-3308

Assessor-Treasurer
Ken Madsen / 798-6111

Auditor
Pat McCarthy / 798-3189

Prosecutor
Gerald Horne / 798-7400

STATE OF WASHINGTON
Governor Christine Gregoire / (360)753-6780

State Representatives - 29th Leg. District
Representative Steve Conway
(Olympia) / (360)786-7906

Legislative Hot-Line / 1-800-562-6000

Representative Steve Kirby
(Olympia) / (360) 786-7996

State Senator
Senator Rosa Franklin / 253-759-9674
(Olympia) / (360) 786-7656

Attorney-General
Rob McKenna / (360)753-6200

NATIONAL -- U.S. Representative
Norm Dicks / 593-6536
(Washington, DC) / (202)225-5916

NATIONAL -- U.S. Senators
Maria Cantwell / (206)220-6400
(Washington, DC) / (202)224-3441

Patty Murray / (206)553-5545
(Washington, DC) / (202)224-2621

TACOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Emergencies / 911
Non-Emergency Line / 798-4722
Chief of Police / 591-5901

Sector 4 Substation / 594-7947
Commander Lt. Shawn Stringer / 594-7948
sstringe@cityoftacoma.org

Community Liaison Officers (CLO)
Officer Robert Luke / 573-2562
rluke@ci.tacoma.wa.us

Officer Don Williams / 594-7945
dwilliam@cityoftacoma.org

Officer Diana Judge / 573-2556
djudge@cityoftacoma.org

Community Based Service (CBS) Officer:
Officer Roland "Bert" Hayes / 594-7877
rhayes@cityoftacoma.org

Sex-Offender Violation (TPD detective) / 591-5937
Traffic Infractions (lv. message) / 594-7873+0
C.R.A.K. Hotline / 475-2725
Crime Stopper / 591-5959
Drug House Elimination Team Officer Greg Hopkins / 591-5883

Detective Follow-up
Crimes against Persons / 591-9940
Juvenile Crimes / 591-5933
Property Crimes / 591-5934

Tip-Line / 594-7867
Gang Activity, Vehicle thefts, etc. (Confidential recording)

Complaint about an officer / 591-5990

Community Based Service's / Metting Notice

Eastside what do you need done on your block?

This meeting is very important for you and your neighbors.
The Community Based Service's Group is getting together with only our neighbors to ask us what improvements are needed on our streets. We are now the new CBS area. (Community Based Services)

The city has put together this group of city workers to get rid of the ugliness.
Areas covered are: Follow West I-5 around to I-5 South to Portland Ave. up to 38th St.

What concerns do you have? They can now be taken care of . Potholes, overgrown vegetation, too many cars in a yard, need more street lighting, how about a new play area for kids, garbage cans on corners so the garbage is contained? Neighbor gang or drug problems?

Tell as many neighbors as you can. I can not stress this enough. You must be at this meeting to get your problems on the list or someone else will get their streets cleaned up first. If you have not been involved in your community before now, this is the time to do it.

Let's work together to clean up our neighborhoods. You hear about all the other neighborhoods and their success stories, let's create our own. How would it feel to be able to walk the streets without fear and look around and say 'We did this, It is now a safer, cleaner neighborhood'. It takes all of us.

Look around your neighborhood, make your list and bring it with you to: Lincoln High School on the 22nd of Sept. 7 PM.

Print out the attached postcard and hand it out. Let's do this together. The resources are here. Don't sit back and think someone else will get the job done. It doesn't work like that. We can do this together.

* A reminder: Dometop Alliance meeting: Sat. the 20th of Sept. 3:30 at the Mottett Library. (behind Sector 4)

Speakers: Delores Beason ( The new Portland Ave Middle School Principal) and Officer Don Williams (Gangs in our area, what to look for and the latest Sector 4 Statistics on what crime is happening in our area.

Together we can accomplish 1 task, then 2 ......

Submitted September 17, 2008 by Lynnette Scheidt for the Dometop Alliance.