Officer Millirons commented that the biggest reason people don’t report things they see is fear of retaliation. If we want to keep our neighborhood to be safe, those we don’t want in our neighborhoods have to know that someone is watching them. Shooting photos of them, writing down license numbers and reporting them to 911 will help. Even though we’re down so many officers right now and they probably won’t be able to respond, if we will at least call in the incidents, over time, the police department will see areas that need attention. 

Again because we are down so many officers right now, the Police Department would like to make the Neighborhood Watch groups self-sufficient. They will be happy to come and speak to help get things started. Neighborhood Watch signs are available through the Police Department’s Crime Prevention office 874-2113.

These are links to websites that help with Neighborhood Watch groups: http://www.usaonwatch.org/ & http://www.sherrifs.org/ - search for Neighborhood Watch & http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/ & http://www.ncpc.org/ - National Crime Prevention Council Officer Millirons suggested the way to being is to identify the tasks, involve local law enforcement, have a kick off meeting (maybe in conjunction with another crowd drawer like a pot luck dinner or National Night Out or a block party), select leaders, train folks and assess the needs. He will be happy to help us get this started. Please be thinking about what your involvement could be and who else could be asked to get involved.

Fire Inspector Bill made a presentation on fire safety in our homes and neighborhood, and answered many questions.

The March Lead & Learn subject will be City Resources. It will be March 6 at St. John’s Episcopal Church at Division and Benton. The program will cover resources available to the neighborhoods including NeighborWoods Tree Planting Programs http://www.springfieldmo.gov/egov/publicworks/operations/grounds/neighborwoods/index.html (trees available for planting in the neighborhoods) and Solid Waste program (mulch and other gardening supplies) http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/community/recycling/yrcproducts.html This will be a pot luck dinner. Caring Communities will provide the protein main dish. Everyone else is to bring a side dish, salad or drink. Please RSVP to Mindy at 888-2020 so she’ll know how many to plan for. Everyone in the neighborhood is encouraged to attend.

Blessings, Jane

Email from Bob Horton dated February 24, 2009

Here is the updated list after we have taken inventory of what is there.  Please remember that you must either be a member of the neighborhood association or join at the location.  We will have membership applications there.  This is the last Home Depot shipment that we will use both 2008 and 2009 membership lists.  Next shipment will only be for 2009 members.

Hello Community Leaders, 

I wanted to apologize for the break in Building Block Newsletters. Unfortunately as computers go there was a glitch in the system. Finally we have retrieved the Community distribution list and I am here to tell you the newsletters are up an running. Attached you will find the February Newsletter addressed to Parents, which has also been tailored to the community at large. Next month you will find the newsletter incorporate the Community name as well.  

If you aren\'t familiar or have forgotten about the Building Blocks model you can access all information in the links below, or feel free to email me with questions. I also wanted to mention that if you would like to be removed from this mailing list to please reply to scleeton@commpartnership.org and I will promptly remove your name. However, if you find that there are some names of coworkers, friends, or family that you think would enjoy this newsletter please forward it on or send me their addresses. I hope you all enjoy this newsletter and that you can implement these strategies into your daily interactions with the youth of our community. http://www.search-institute.org/   http://www.commpartnership.org/   

Thank You,  Sunny L Cleeton, 40 Building Blocks for Healthy Youth Coordinator, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, 330 N. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806, 417-888-2020