Peace pole and rental inspections pay-off in city
City Council learned Thursday night that a ceremony to place a peace pole in the 600 block of Second Street may be a catalyst for the neighborhood to see reform.
Mary Woods, of the Beloved Community Council, said the pole, which was made possible through the use of $1,500 in legislative contingency funding in 2015, has paid dividends as a symbol in a formerly drug-infested block that is seeing a revival. The neighborhood now has a vegetable garden and more children can be seen playing in the street unafraid.
Since the installation of the pole, the one-block section of the city just west of the Central Business District has seen a drop in the amount of drug-related and violent crimes.
City Codes Administrator Joseph Gerardi acknowledged that drop and said at the same time of installing the pole, police Capt. Jody Miller and other officers and codes staff engaged in a series of rental inspections that helped clear out unwanted individuals.
“Some of them fled during these inspections and were apprehended by police right there,” Gerardi said.
Nevertheless, the enforcement of rental inspection along with the pole has provided an inspiration to neighbors, he said. “That’s a good thing.”
“Cities are only as strong as neighborhoods are,” said Councilman Randall J. Allison. The police, the peace efforts, the planting of a neighborhood garden and the rejuvenated residents, especially those with youngsters, one of whom spoke to council in a personal testimonial of improved living standards on the block, can only give these residents “hope” to expect change and that is what the city needs, Allison said.
Council President Jonathan Williamson said the unity symbol, subsequent peace walk and changing atmosphere on the block that was frequently where children would be able to pick up a gun or handle hypodermic needles in the street, is heartening to see.
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