Urban Crime Prevention Program Intrigues Officials

A recent shooting on Washington Boulevard prompted a lot of questions at a community forum organized to give residents answers to city and county issues in North Sarasota.

But County Commissioner Carolyn Mason, speaking at the new Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, opened the meeting Thursday by explaining that the shooting is an open investigation – and therefore cannot be discussed.

City Commissioner Willie Shaw did note that Sarasota leaders just returned from a trip to North Carolina, where they saw firsthand the positive effects of a nine-point commuity initiative to reduce crime.

Based on the work of criminologist David Kennedy, the initiative brings together community leaders, neighbors, law enforcement, churches, social services, probation officers and offenders for frank talks on making neighborhoods safer.

Shaw said that the program is successful when all parties seek the same goal: to create neighborhoods that are safe for children, families, and neighbors.

The Sarasota team included Captain Wade McVay, Lt. Randy Boyd, Peter Graham, Rev. Melvin Christian, Deidra Anderson, Victor Johnson, Rev. Kelvin Lumpkin, and Comm. Shaw. Each of the team members spoke of their experience at High Point, NC, and how a similar initiative may work in Sarasota.

The first step is to figure out how to spread the word about the idea. Meeting attendees suggested that local churches could begin having conversations with their parishioners on how to build trust among diverse audiences, and Peter Graham encouraged local officials and agencies to be more transparent. Shaw issued a Call to Action, inviting anyone interested in helping create safer Sarasota neighborhoods to contact his office at 941-954-4115.

Kennedy’s book, Don’t Shoot, One Man, A Street Fellowship, and the End of Violence in Inner-City America, is available online (http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Fellowship-Violence-Inner-City/dp/1608192644/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339772764&sr=1-1&keywords=Don%27t+Shoot+david+kennedy) and in public libraries.

Other projects of interest to North Sarasota neighbors included:

• Updates on Sarasota’s Citywide Mobility Plan. The most current information and events can be found at: www.letsgetmovingsarasota.com.

• Saturday, June 16th, 2nd Annual Father’s Day Celebration, Reconnecting Families and Dads, at Roy McBean Boys and Girls Club, 1790 21st St., 11:00 am till 3 pm. This year’s events will be filled with fun activities that promote bonding for fathers and children while linking families with resources and supportive services in our community. For more information call 941-361-6210x264.

• Tuesday, June 19th, North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd, The Art of Sanford Biggers, 6pm. Ringling Museum curator, Matthew McLendon, will be on hand to discuss a slideshow of Biggers’ work and local artisan and storyteller, Mary Kelly will perform as Harriet Tubman. Everyone is invited to attend this Juneteenth celebration and you are invited to bring a handmade family quilt to put on display.  For more information on this event, please call 941-861-1376 or email sfalsey@scgov.net by June 17th if you plan to bring a quilt.

• June 27th is National HIV Testing Day and Sarasota residents are encouraged to take the test and take control of their health. In support of that, free HIV testing, with same day results, will be provided at the following locations:

Tuesday, June 19th, Truvine Missionary Baptist Church, 1947 31st St., 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Wednesday, June 26th, Bethel CME Church, 1719 22nd St., 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday, June 30th, Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1680 18th St., 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

For more information, please contact Serena Miller at 941-366-0461.

• The next CEO 12-week class begins August 28th for anyone who is interested in starting a business in Sarasota’s Enterprise zone. Contact Carolyn Griffin at 941-408-1413, or email her at griffic2@scf.edu for more information and an application form.

If you are interested in attending the next community meeting, contact Commissioner Shaw’s office to be added to the email list.