Triangle
Neighborhood Association
June 1, 2009
Meeting Summary
1. The monthly meeting of the Triangle Neighborhood Association was held on Monday, June 1, 2009 in the Salesianum School Library.
2. Thirty-four persons were present at the start of the meeting. Ten additional persons joined the meeting in progress.
3. Howard Sholl, TNA President, gave a brief description of the association for the benefit of anyone attending for the first time.
a. If one lives in the neighborhood, his/her egroup membership will be approved.
b. There are 215 members in the egroup.
4. There was no representative of the Wilmington Police Department present, so no police report was made.
5. Tom Baker, TNA Vice-President and Community Liaison, gave the monthly crime report.
a. False burglar alarms result in a fine. Alarms are to be registered with the city.
b. Last month’s crime report listed: one burglary, three thefts and four assaults.
6. Anthony Longo, Esq. (Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice, Civil Division, Family Services Group) addressed the group:
a.
In the Family Court of Delaware, juveniles are not
usually incarcerated on the first offence.
Usually, two felonies are necessary for incarceration to be
considered. Keep in mind that the
prisons in
b. We want to help juveniles.
c. At times, there are uncooperative victims.
d. If you have a case pending, feel free to call us (302-577-8846)
e. Courts must exhaust therapeutic resources. Detention at Ferris is the most extreme.
f.
Parents cannot be held accountable by
7. Howard Sholl announced that John Rago from the Mayor’s Office may be present later in the meeting.
8. Howard Sholl gave a summary of the May meeting.
a. TNA Crime Task Force has been formed, as recommended.
b. The Task Force has been charged to find ways to deal with crime related issues in the neighborhood. There are eleven members.
c. Task Force meetings were held on May 6, 13 and 20 at Tom Baker’s home. Several city police officers, a Deputy District Attorney and the park police officers were present at the meetings.
d. Several recommendations were made:
i. More police help was requested, but we must be realistic.
ii. When you see something, call it in to the police.
iii. Establish
a
iv. Need to get the word out to the neighborhood.
v. Cards will be distributed containing help information.
vi. Purchase fluorescent light bulbs. (This purchase was not approved by the TNA Board.)
vii. We need another round of Neighborhood Watch training.
viii. Inspection of homes for crime prevention is available.
ix. The TNA egroup will receive and distribute information.
x. After a period of time, assess the removal of the basketball nets.
e. The assault on a young boy prompted the Mayor to remove the basketball nets.
f.
The basketball players are going over to the
g. Question from the floor: What was the impact of May TNA vote on the mayor’s decision to remove the basketball nets? Answer: Mayor took into account the concern of the TNA, but the decision was his to make.
h. Question from the floor: Is a decrease in crime our metric? Responses: The Task Force did not arrive at a metric. A survey should be distributed. We must keep in mind that we are now in the summer season.
i. Observation from the floor: We have seen a big difference. The quality of life has improved.
j. Tom Baker mentioned a letter which appeared on the egroup. No time was listed in the letter.
k. A motion from the floor about the end of summer survey was proposed, discussed and amended. In particular, an amendment about the features of the survey and a reflection of the diversity of the neighborhood was approved by vote: 23 in favor, 11 opposed.
l. Motion from the floor: The TNA Board will circulate a survey at end of summer. It will assess both the qualitative and quantitative values of removing the basketball nets. Expertise will be sought to design the survey and to interpret the results. The survey composition and evaluation will reflect the diversity of the neighborhood.
m. The motion was approved by a vote: 35 in favor, 1 opposed.
n.
Dr. Jerome Lewis of
o. It will be the responsibility of the TNA Board to implement the motion.
9. Howard Sholl mentioned that there is no meeting scheduled for next month.
10. Question from the floor: What are the curfew rules? Answer was provided by Tom Baker: Those under 18 years of age are to be off the streets between 10 PM and 6 AM. On the weekend, the curfew begins at 12 midnight.
11. Three items of community business were presented by Howard Sholl:
a. Mulch for the community garden was purchased for $180. All were in favor of a reimbursement.
b. Warner school will change part of its school program. Excess space will be used for a K - 5 alternative school. Students will be brought to the school by bus.
c. Greg Panik, TNA Treasurer, will be moving out of the neighborhood. We need a new Treasurer. Who is willing to serve?
d. Fr. J. Dalton offered to serve as Treasurer for a year, and was approved by a voice vote.
e. A new board member is necessary. Valerie Harvell was nominated and approved.
12. State Senator McDowell addressed the group:
a. We all have experienced the current budget crises. The State faces an $800 million shortfall.
b. There is no guarantee that there will be a budget by the end of June.
c. We do not want to touch senior centers or fire halls.
d. Be aware that most will be disappointed with the budget.
e. The Delaware Substantial Energy Utility model is being considered by other states.
13. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by
Fr. J. Dalton
June 19, 2009