Neighbors, Fran brings up a good point about the importance of crime prevention. There are a number of strategies for preventing crime, which can be found on the Web site of the National Crime Prevention Council: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety/strategies According to the strategies listed on this site, in addition to the strategies one would expect, like neighborhood watches, things like celebrating neighborhood accomplishments, promoting open space, and youth-led community service projects all contribute to crime prevention. Wasn't New York City effective in reducing crime by targeting quality of life issues like graffiti and trash? Or is that an urban legend? I would be interested to know whether crime in our neighborhood is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same. I found a report from 2012 (http://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/pghbop/2012_Annual_Report_v2.pdf). Although it has 10 years of data for the city as a whole and data for Highland Park, it doesn't tell me how it is changing over time in Highland Park. Does anyone know how to see those data? In the city as a whole, both Part I and Part II crimes appear to be going down (p. 61). Thanks, Deb If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. -Chinese proverb On Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:08 PM, Francine <francine937@aol.com> wrote: Hello neighbors, As a long time member of this community, I am seeing a lot of things that we as a community need to be aware of. There has been a lot of drug trafficking in the area, it is dangerous; as well as unacceptable . The 5600 block of Jackson street has now calmed down considerably . Unfortunately some landlords who rent to people in our community have no consideration or respect for good citizens. I hope that as members instead of focusing so much on picking at little things , crime prevention needs to be first priority. If we do not have a safe community what do we have? I do respect the emails about dog poop, but lets be realistic. There is a lot more to worry about right now. People need to open there eyes to what is really going on. There's nothing safe about drug trafficking , gun violence, and many other crimes being reported daily. As there will always be criminals. We can try to protect each other as neighbors, and a community. Fran -- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR Delivered to: deb_polk@yahoo.com <https://mail.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>