Triangle Neighborhood Association Meeting

Monday, September 10, 2007

 

 

1.                  The inaugural meeting of the 07-08 season was held in the library of Warner Elementary School on September 10, 2007 and began at 7:05 PM.  There were 40 persons present at the start of the meeting.  Four additional persons joined the meeting in progress.

2.                  Howard Sholl, the TNA President, made a few announcements:

·        Fliers are available, which describe projects on I 95.

·        There will be a City Service Fair on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Pulaski School, 1300 Cedar St.  Wilmington, DE.  Participants will be able to talk one-on-one with representatives of the constituent services of the city.

·        There is an error in the current Newsletter.  Change the clean-up date from 2006 to 2007.

3.                  Captain Michael Maggitti, Wilmington Police Department, addressed the group:

·        The Captain introduced himself to the group for the benefit of new members.

·        If an immediate need (emergency) arises, call 911 for help.

·        The captain’s number is 576-3187.

·        Be careful. A 911 call outside the range can  be directed to another municipality.

·        Two other law enforcement officers (Captain Scott Parro of the Park Police and Lt.  Bruno Battaglia of the Wilmington Police)  were present and each will speak to the group. 

·        There were six  robberies over the summer, which ended with an arrest on August 23.

·        A young man with a sawed off shotgun was apprehended, and the robberies stopped.

·        There were attempts in and around Baynard Blvd.

·        The intention of the robber was to get some pocket money.

·        He was not an adult, so the Fed Up program can not be used.

·        Feb Up has taken 30 adults off the streets this year.  They are held without bail.

·        A sexual assault took place in Brandywine Park.  It has not been resolved.

·        Although Park Police are in charge of the Park, there is a good deal of cooperation between Park Police and the Wilmington Police.

·        On August 22 and 23, two joggers were assaulted and robbed near the  Zoo and the Van Buren Street bridge.

·        Six children, ages 13 to 15, were arrested due to involvement in a theft of an iPod from a gentleman in the Park.   There was a weapon on one.

·        Patrols have been established by the Wilmington Police and the Park Police.

·        The Park is closed at dark.

·        The manager of Terry Apartments registered some complains.

·        Tenants will continue to be screened.

·        A camera system is in the building.

·        Tenants with inappropriate visitors will be evicted.

·        Report strange behaviors to the police.

4.                  Captain Scott Caro, Park Police, addressed the group:

·        There are only three Park Rangers.  Since the staff is so small, there is a great reliance on the Wilmington Police.

·        If there is an in emergency, call 911.  Do not say “I am in the Park.”

·        There is a new park position for Blue Ball; however, it takes six to ten months to fill.   In the meantime the funds can be used elsewhere.

·        Two officers are on bikes during the weekdays from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

·        A problem occurs when children are left unsupervised.

·        In August, there were 92 arrests in all the surrounding parks with only 2.5 officers.   From September 1 to 5, there were 25 arrests.

·        Officers work for 45 minutes after dark and at football games.

·        For minor problems, contact the park at 577-7020.

·        A message for the staff can be left at 577-7130.  The fax number is 577-7131.

·        You may contact the Park dispatcher at 1-800-523-3336 (Kent County), but be specific.  Provide a description.  A composite may be published in the newspaper.

5.                  Lieutenant Bruno Battaglia, Communications Division of Wilmington Police Department, addressed the group:

·        A new legislation concerning false burglar alarms was introduced by Councilman At-large Michael A. Brown, Sr.

·        October 1 is the deadline to register your alarm system with the City.  There is a $20 registration fee.  The form is available on the City’s website.

·        The first two false alarm occurrences do not carry fines.

·        Approximately two thousand man-hours are spent answering alarms.

·        Senior citizens are exempt.

·        This ordinance only refers to burglar alarms; it does not cover fire alarms.

·        A third party company has been hired to track the alarms.

·        There is a serious problem with false alarms.  Please note the crime stats which Tom Baker publicizes.

·        Phone Numbers: 576-3682 (office), 463-4208 (cell)

6.                  Captain Maggitti mentioned that there are two new officers for the neighborhood:  Joe Miller and Bill Draper.

7.                  Meg Huston addressed the group:

·        Forty houses participated in the recent yard sale.  It is the biggest one, we have had.  We came out ahead by $75.

·        The committee was thanked.

·        Next year, there will be a special pick-up after the Yard Sale.

·        Participants were asked to remove items at night.

8.                  Norm Griffith, Councilman of the Second District, addressed the group:

·        On Saturday, September 15, 2007 from 11 AM to 3 PM in Rodney Square, there will be a health fair.

·        On Sunday afternoon, September 16, 2007, the River Fest will be held.

·        City sponsored scholarships remain available.  The value is $500 each.

·        On Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11 AM,, there will be the ribbon cutting ceremony for Second District Planning Committee site.  It took four years to raise the funds and to complete the renovations.

·        The Police Department is seeking new candidates for the new class.  A high school diploma is necessary.  Call: 576-3100.

·        Recycle Bank is looking for individuals to go from house to house to encourage those not participating in the program.  It is a part time job with a salary of $11 per hour.

·        City Council has been discussing recently two issues: bridge maintenance and sub prime mortgages.

·        November is Pancreatic Cancer month.

9.                  Bud Freel, Councilman At-large, addressed the group:

·        One can dispose of household chemicals at Frawley Stadium on November 3, 2007 from 8 AM to 4 PM.  This includes electrical equipment.  A truck for shredding documents will be available.

·        Signs on telephone poles are illegal.  Anyone can remove them.

·        The City has made a second offer for the property in the 800 block of W. 22nd Street. 

10.              John Rago of the Mayor’s Office addressed the group:

·        Recycling continues to be a success in the City.

·        You are doing a great job with about a 30 to 35 % deduction of waste.

·        Question from the group: The newspaper publishes crime statistics but descriptions do not include ethnic background.  Answer:  This is the policy of the NewsJournal.

11.              Frank Joyce addressed the group:

·        The Association’s phone tree is in place.   

·        A message is composed, and then sent to three coordinators.

·        Most recently, the coordinators reached the 30 captains.

·        Question: Is it true that the captains reached everyone?  Answer: 5 received the message, but 7 did not receive it.

·        Tell him, if you want him to contact the block captains.

·        Neighborhood Watch signs have been put in place.

12.              Howard Sholl made some additional announcements:

·        Jack Perry addressed one of our meetings in the spring.  He spoke about Prestige Academy.  Some consideration is being given to use Warner School for the program.  Jack would like to address the Association at an October or November meeting.

·        A committee will be formed to review aspects of Prestige Academy and to make a recommendation to the membership. Anyone interested in serving should make his/her name known.

·        Question:  Does the Association have a vote about a new school program?  Answer from John Rago: The Red Clay Superintendent is seeking the Association’s comments.

·        Comment from the floor: A Middle School would bring more traffic to the neighborhood.

·        Comment from the floor: The Association needs time to process the issue.

·        Question from the floor: Is the funding from public sources?  Answer: Funding is from both public and private sources.

13.              Concetta LaMarca addressed the group:

·        A Progressive Dinner will be held on September 29.

·        Contact me via email to find out details about the form and fee.

·        This is a nice way to get to know the neighbors.

14.              Howard Sholl made some additional announcements:

·        Our Community Garden looks good this summer.  Thanks are due to Rich Joyce.

·        Halloween parade will be organized by Kim Carson. A sum of $150 was approved unanimously for the events.

·        Membership dues may be submitted.  Seven persons have paid already.

·        We need a few new members to distribute the newsletter.

·        Neighborhood Watch needs members. It would be expensive to hire a private security firm for the neighborhood.

·        The City cleans the streets once each year.

·        We thank Peter Deitz for publishing the newsletter.

·        Become a member of the TNA egroup.

·        Comment from the floor:  The reverse 911 message did not get to all homes.

15.              Lee McKelvey gave the treasures report.   The ending balance for August was $3,800.24.

16.              Loren agreed to donate a cell phone to Neighborhood Watch.  The Association can pay ahead for the phone charges.

17.              The meeting closed at 8:37 PM.

 

                                                                                                Submitted by:

                                                                                                J. Dalton

                                                                                                September 26, 2007