| One Property Cleanup, One Big
Impact
Ashley Bacon, Weed and Seed Assistant
Project Coordinator
(Before) Residents objected to this one-stop drug
shop in their neighborhood. |
(After) Residents help raze a one-stop drug shop in their neighborhood. |
Many neighborhoods struggle with crime and graffiti. One neighborhood
in Topeka, KS, is taking a stand against criminal activity
and taking back its community.
Members of the Topeka Weed and Seed community of Chesney Park
decided that they were tired of the crime and eyesores in their
neighborhood. So the residents of Clay and Buchanan Streets,
with the help of Weed and Seed, Safe Streets, and the Topeka
Police Department, formed a neighborhood watch group. Clay/Buchanan
Neighborhood Watch held its first meeting to discuss the community's
biggest concerns and came to a consensus on a select few issues
to tackle.
One problem with a rental property stood out among all of
the rest. The house seemed to be involved in some suspicious
activity and had broken windows in the front. A little structure
in the side yard looked as if it had once been a child's
playhouse, but over time the playhouse became covered in gang
graffiti and was reported to house a "one-stop drug shop" in
the summer months.
Because it was spring, the residents took action immediately
to stop the problem before the active summer months. First,
the group notified the police department's gang intelligence
officer. Then, the group wrote letters to the landlord informing
him that this property was a safety concern. A city department
that enforces violations of general nuisances (e.g., trash
in yards, graffiti, uncut grass, inoperative vehicles) was
planning to paint over all of the gang graffiti. Three and
a half weeks later the landlord had the playhouse torn down
and removed from the yard.
The cleanup did not require funding. It was orchestrated simply
by a group of concerned citizens who took the initiative to
contact city offices and get something done. The residents
continue to meet monthly and are keeping their eyes open for
criminal activities so that they can notify the police and
keep the neighborhood safe over the summer.
For further information, contact:
Ashley
Bacon
Weed and Seed Assistant Project Coordinator for Topeka, KS
785-266-4606
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