Good evening (or night) everyone, I was not able to make the meeting on Tuesday, as I have prior commitments on Tuesday evenings. I will make every effort to address your questions and concerns, however if I miss one, please just email me as it is not intentional. * Curfew/Loitering: The City of Pittsburgh does not have a loitering ordinance, and in 2004 the curfew ordinances were no longer enforceable due to ACT 47 and the closing of the Curfew/Truancy Center. * There are numerous block watches in and around Morningside, Stanton Heights and Highland Park, if you need to contact one of those groups; Officer Gay is the Zone 5 Crime Prevention Officer. I have "cc'd" him in this correspondence. * Defiant, destructive, inconsiderate and loud children: Unless the children are committing crimes, socially unacceptable behavior is not regulated by law enforcement. Sorry. If given more specific behaviors like property damage, thefts, ect., I will give a more detailed response. * Hauling kids home and talking to their parents: A police officer cannot seize any person's freedom without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. In other words, we cannot just remove a child and transport them home. * Petty crime: Was not detailed enough for me to address. Sorry! * Addressing or speaking to the youths: I recommend this at every community meeting. This is an effective tool as the children realize that you notice them and are not intimidated. * Walking groups: I recently recommended this activity to both Morningside and Highland Park groups. Great exercise and it fosters community spirit and awareness. Consider walking in the neighborhood and not just the park or trails. * Activities in the area: there are numerous programs and organized activities in the East End. If you need me to make a referral, I can gladly reach out to the child and their parents. I will need some information, like name if you have one or the address where the child seems to "hangout." To assist with some of the communities concerns and address quality of life issue, starting August 23-September 1, 2007, I will have three (3) officers walking beats on overtime in the following areas: Stanton, Negley, Portland, Wellesley, King, Highview, ect. Please note these are area beats, so every street may not be listed. Additionally, the times vary as well. Stay safe and thanks for staying involved. Cmdr RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605 -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of Herbert, Mary Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 1:05 PM To: Danielson, Michelle; neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Subject: RE: [Highland Park] Nuisance Kids I am relatively new to the Highland Park neighborhood (having lived on the border in Morningside for 3 years) and have subscribed to the list. We too, have noticed a lot of kids doing a lot of roaming around the park off of King St. and through our area around Wellesley/Stanton/Highview. I was not able to make it to the meeting at the Union Project this past Tuesday, but wonder if there has ever been a block watch type of program in the area? When kids pass by our street we always try to say hi and engage them in some way/make eye contact, etc. Now, clearly that may have no effect and some kids are unafraid/not intimidated and/or just out to make trouble; some kids are surprised and say hi back, and some think it's funny, but it also helps us see who is in our neighborhood. We do the same with adults. But I also would be willing to be part of groups of neighbors who walk the neighborhoods at night - safer as a group of adults and a larger presence then just one or two adults confronting a group of kids. I whole-heartedly agree about kids having options for other things to do (especially in the summer months), and the idea of law enforcement going to the kids' homes and addressing things there and/or seeing what the home environment is like, but that may also just be part of the solution and not possible - especially considering that by the time the police arrive, the kids are gone. Anyway, in seeing all of the messages come through about break-ins and kids' activities, I was wondering if anything like this has ever been done or if anyone is interested. Perhaps the Commander could give feedback/advice about it. ________________________________ From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of Danielson, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:20 PM To: neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Subject: [Highland Park] Nuisance Kids I have lived in the Highland Park area since the early 90's. The problem with roaming groups of defiant, destructive, inconsiderate and loud kids has been on the steady increase, particularly over the past few years. I realize that we are supposed to call the police when we encounter such a group, but it doesn't seem to be a deterrent whatsoever. What's it going to take to rectify the situation?????? What happened to the city curfew? What happened to the police hauling these kids home and having a conversation with the parents/guardians/adults in the residence? Better yet, how about coming up with some other options for these kids to expend their pent up energy and frustrations? How long are we supposed to put up with this behavior and not resort to our own solutions? When this type of petty crime occurs with the regularity that it does in this area, it adversely affects quality of lilfe as much as what some might consider more serious or significant crime. I am tired of it and my guess is that someone is going to get seriously hurt if this continues.