CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING
Monday, March 4, 2013
5:30 p. m. – 7:30 p. m.
IBEW Hall / Local 58
The following are highlights from the meeting --
Rashida Tlaib, State Representative and Debra Walker
The purpose of the meeting was follow-up to the initial information provided at the previous meeting, and to take that information and develop specific goals and plans for what comes next. It was stressed that the input needed to come from the audience / neighbors. This meeting is an opportunity to communicate needs, wants and next steps. Ms. Tlaib mentioned the importance of communicating to all of Corktown, including those who do not access e-mail. She said she would lead a brigade of door-to-door volunteers.
DPD Commander, N. Kyriacou and Lieutenant, Darin Szilagy
Corktown crime stats were provided, for the last 28 days. Most of the car thefts could have been avoided if the cars had been locked or had a club. The boundaries represented in these stats were I-75 to North; Fort to South; Rosa Parks to West; Sixth to East. It was communicated to Lt. Szilagy that the recognized boundaries of Corktown are Fort to South; Martin Luther King to North; 22nd to West; Lodge to the East. Szilagy will amend his stats to include that area.
He mentioned that DPD has added a beat to Corktown. The two assigned officers were in the audience. Three of the biggest events that impact DPD are coming up – St. Patrick’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Tiger opening day. Szilagy also talked about the growing number of groups of teens causing havoc in the downtown area.
The confusion with the dispatch process was discussed. It was recommended that someone from Dispatch attend a meeting. The city’s financial challenges were also mentioned as part of the issue with all service.
The gentlemen could not provide an update on the new DPD bldg on the Lodge. There are no plans for Central to move there.
Quicken Loan has started using the parking lots on Sixth Street for their employees. They have hired Walker Security to patrol. There was discussion about Corktown utilizing this same security company, or possibly the DPD’s Secondary Employment option. The latter is rather expensive, but most thought it would be most effective, since the patrollers are actual police officers. However, it was determined that more investigation is needed. Someone used this service, and the officers provided were actually officers from the IT Department who had been sitting behind a desk for years.
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CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING -- March 4, 2013
Dennis Richardson, Deputy Wayne County Sherriff
The number one priority of the Wayne County Sherriff’s Dept is the jail. The idea that 911 dispatch can transfer a caller to the Wayne County Sherriff is not true. There is nowhere to dispatch.
There was question about the role of the Wayne County Prosecutor to ensure the criminals are actually accountable for their crimes. James Gonzalez is the Assistant Prosecutor assigned to Central, 313-224-8281. Tlaib mentioned that some neighborhoods have been successful with Court Watch and attending sentencing hearings.
The sheriffs talked about how Tampa decreased its crime by 65% in 9 years. This freed up officers to solve crimes and patrol, something he is confident can happen in Detroit.
The officers also stated there is a Narcotics and Prostitution Tip Line for Wayne County.
313-833-3190 / sheriffconnect.com. The importance of VIP etching was also discussed.
Richard Tenney, Director, City Lighting Department
Tenney discussed that the Lighting Dept is different from the new Lighting Authority. He will provide information about when the Authority will hold public meetings. He did say a map of the outages would prove helpful. The Corktown Business Association has been working with the Lighting Department already in this effort. There was discussion and confusion about the roles of the Department vs the Authority and the budgets for both. It was asked if electricians from IBEW could help replace light bulbs, since the majority of the outages are simply because of blown out bulbs. The liability prohibits the city from using anyone other than their employees. That is why DTE will also not replace street light bulbs.
Brenda Jones, City Councilperson
Ms. Jones talked extensively about the Governor’s announcement of Detroit being in financial emergency; and the next steps for the Council and Mayor. She distributed a copy of the memo from the City’s Fiscal Analysis and Research & Analysis Divisions, recommending that within the allotted 30 days the governor will see satisfactory work of the Administration and Council and should avoid appointment of an EFM/EM. Ms. Jones also talked about the Governor’s issue with the Charter not being discussed previously when it could have been addressed. She talked about revenue opportunities, including large amount of outstanding taxes from companies such as Olympia (Ilitch, approx. $300 million). She acknowledged that some of these dollars are not collectible, due to the statue of limitations, but that still leaves a large amount. These dollars have been owed for years, without the knowledge of the Council. They found out through the media. The citizens need to make sure the administration does what is necessary to obtain these back taxes.
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CORKTOWN COMMUNITY MEETING -- March 4, 2013
Ronald Spears, Identity Theft
Mr. Spears gave a presentation about pre-paid legal and identity theft security opportunities, though Legal Shield. The costs were nominal. Anyone interested can contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 313-510-6538.
Evan Ambrose, WSU Urban Studies
Mr. Ambrose talked about some upcoming safety events –
Free Safety Workshop – Monday, March 25th; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Central District Hdqtrs
Free VIN etching – Wednesday, March 13th; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Cass @ I-94. When they add additional evening dates, he will let us know.
Ron Cooley, Citizen’s District Council
Mr. Cooley stressed the importance of acting based on the information received from the DPD and the concerns of the community. The need for some serious patrol was discussed. There will be a smaller meeting with the DPD’s Secondary Employment Department as well as with Quicken Loan’s Command Center.
The upcoming CDC election is Aril 2, 2013 at the Douglass Branch Library / 3666 Grand River. the deadline to be printed on the ballot has passed. However, you can run as a “write-in” {which is how most candidates run}. The next CDC meeting is Monday, March 18th ; 6:30 p.m. in the back room at Nemo’s. The CDC will send out an e-mail with the correctly spelled names and addresses of the write-in candidates. It is important to check the specific boundaries for the Corktown CDC.
Debra Walker – Patrol, etc.
Ms. Walker talked about the need for a citizen’s patrol, in addition to whatever private patrol Corktown may establish. The training, to be conducted by DPD Investigator Fountain, will be Monday, March 11; 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m at Most Holy Trinity School on Sixth Street. The patrol will be sanctioned by the City, which will provide the CBs and reimbursement for gas.
She also talked about the importance of citizens to be engaged with their government and voice their concerns at the polls, as well as participating in the process, by attending meetings, sending letters, making phone calls, etc.
As always, we thank Ric Preuss and the IBEW for allowing us the use of their facility; and Ron Cooley for the refreshments.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra T. Walker
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CORKTOWN MEETINGS AND RESOURCES
Corktown Citizens' District Council Meetings
3rd Mondays, 6:30 p.m.
Back room of Nemo's*
Contact Mark Crowley -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Corktown Business Association Meetings
Last Monday of the month, 6:00 p.m
Back room of Nemo's*
Contact Ron Cooley -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
*Location may change if there is an event,
e.g., Hockey, baseball, football game.
Please check with contact person.
Central District Community Meetings
3rd Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
7310 Woodward
Useful websites --
http://www.corktownconnection.org/
http://www.corktownhistoric.org/
Annual/On-going Events
Free Income Tax Prep and E-Filing1
Feb. 1 – April 13
2101 W. Lafayette / Saturdays
313-841-2240
8634 W. Vernor / Mon-Sat
313-554-2884
The Intersections Project – March 7th
Martin Luther King Blvd @ Rosa Parks
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 10th
2:00 p.m.
FREE VIN Etching2
March 13th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cass @ I-94
Most Holy Trinity Open House – March 13th 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Free Safety Workshop2
March 25th 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Central District Hdqtrs
Corktown Home Tour3-- June 2nd
[Bicycle]Tour de troit – Sept. 21st
Corktown sports teams4
Free Press Marathon – Oct. 20th
DP (Detroit Partnership) Day5 -- March
Pumpkin Fest3-- October
Keep Detroit Beautiful
April 22 – June 8
Registration deadline April 1st
KDB Open House
March 9th 10:00 a.m. – 12:0 p.m.
MSU Detroit Center / 3408 Woodward
313-876-0140
Other Clean-ups6
Volunteer Patrol Training
Monday, March 11, 2013
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
DPD Investigator Fountain
Most Holy Trinity School
1 State Rep., Rashida Tlaib and Accounting Aid Society 2 WSU, DPD, AmeriCorps 3Sponsored by Historical Society 4Softball team coach, Javier Cardenas/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Soccer coach, Todd Kropp /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Roosevelt Park/Corktown team coach, Cary Brainard / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 734.719.0250 – various volunteer opportunities 6 Navin Field grounds crew, cleans up the Tiger Stadium site, Joe Rashid/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Department
Name
Phone
Email
Building and Safety Inspector
Terry Martin
(313)729-8633 (cell)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joe Maples
(Sector 5)
(313) 224 3218
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abandoned Cars
Officer Homic
(313) 596-1372
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Officer Joseph
(313) 596-5280
Illegal Dumping
Officer Gibson
(313) 596-1364
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DPD Copper Theft / Scrap Metal Theft
Officer McKay
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Central District Police Station
Officer Dorsey, Community Relations officer
(313) 596-5110
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Commander Shawn Gargalino
(313) 596-1310
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Public Safety 101: Numbers to Know
Public Lighting
Richard Tenney,
Director
(313) 757-0753
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you see
something,
say
something!
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Narcotics & Prostitution
TIP Line
(313) 833-3190
sheriffconnect.com
Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Central Div.
James Gonzalez
(313) 224-8281
Attached are the notes from last night's Corktown Community Meeting.  Your support is appreciated.  While we had almost 100 attendees at both meetings, what comes next remains uncertain.  However, there is a small group looking into private patrol for the neighborhood. 
 
Additionally, the Corktown Volunteer Patrol remains essential to supplement whatever patrols are in place.  The training is Monday, March 11th; 6:00 -- p.m. --7:30p p.m. at Most Holy Trinity School on Sixth Street.  This will be conducted by DPD Investigator Fountain, and will be sanctioned by the City.  CBs will be provided, as well as reimbursement for gas.  We need a minimum of 12  volunteers.  Your support and participation are needed to make this happen.  Please let me know if you plan to attend the training.
 
And the DPD would like to continue meeting with the community. 
 
Other meeting topics that have been suggested --
  • Mayoral candidates
  • Area human service agencies to share their mission
  • Develop community-based events:  clean-ups, garage sale, block club party
 
While crime continues to be my number one issue, the above are also paramount to what makes a successful neighborhood.  Let's see what happens with any private patrol; and if someone will take the lead on these community meetings.
 
 
Thank you.

Debra
313-758-1648
 
"That's what she said"