Spring is here, and it’s getting warm enough to go outside and enjoy springtime activities, such as picnics, softball, cleaning up the neighborhood…
That’s right, good ole’ spring-cleaning time. The appearance of our neighborhood is a major concern identified by neighborhood residents during Weed and Seed community meetings.
Right about now, you are probably asking yourself: Why is this cop talking about picking up trash and not crooks?
The answer is that cleaning up our neighborhood is a way to help reduce crime. The message sent to criminals from residents who take pride in their homes and property is that we care about what is happening in our neighborhood and are more likely to look out for each other.
On the other hand, an unkempt neighborhood sends the message that the people living here have no regard for our belongings, much less anyone else. Criminals often perceive an unkempt home or rundown neighborhood as easy targets.
So, let’s clean things up a bit. The East Dallas Community Organization has enlisted Dallas Weed and Seed, People for Promoting Community, the North Texas Multi-Cultural Alliance, the East Dallas Counseling Center, area Explorer Posts, AmeriCorps members and a host of other volunteers to conduct a neighborhood clean-up.
If you live in the area north of Live Oak, south of Ross, east of Haskell and west of Henderson, come out April 8 and take charge of the neighborhood.
Volunteers meet at 9 a.m. at the Dallas Police Mobile Assistance Center (translation: the big motorhome painted like a police car), which will be parked at Burlew and Bryan. The clean-up is expected to last until noon.
Now for the good part. Following the clean-up will be the first Inner City Life Festival to celebrate (finally) the opening of the Peak/Bryan Market located at Bryan and Burlew.
The festival begins at 1 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities to reflect the different cultures in our neighborhood.
Job Fair Sponsored by Police
I’ve talked enough about working for free to clean things up – now let’s talk about paying jobs.
Dallas Weed and Seed is sponsoring one of five regional Job Fairs in Dallas April 27. The East Dallas Job Fair and Job Finding Workshops is scheduled from 1-6 p.m. at the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak. Not only will employers with job openings be present, but volunteers will be on hand to assist with job finding skills.
Children can enjoy activities conducted in the Police Mobile Assistance Center (the motorhome, again) while mom or dad meet with prospective employers.
Oh yeah, did I mention that it’s all free?
For information about these events, call me at 670-4420.
