With one phone dial, police inform many

By ANDREW MEACHAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- When burglars hit the "pink streets" of Pinellas Point six times within a few weeks, residents got a call from police urging them to take precautions. Thanks to a new automated phone system, the police had to dial just once.

City Watch, a telecommunications device that can handle hundreds of calls at the press of a button, is the result of a $20,000 federal grant the city pursued after racial violence in 1996. The system already makes calls such as the burglary warning and soon will be equipped to handle incoming calls.

Neighbors will be able to retrieve crime information like local statistics or addresses of sexual predators, said crime prevention officer William Wells. Police computers, which update crime statistics each week, soon will be able to provide daily figures, Wells said.

Jungle Terrace residents convey thoughts, desires

Jungle Terrace residents want to reduce crime, improve residential and commercial landscaping, and leave Walter Fuller Park the way it is, according to a neighborhood survey that drew 260 responses from a mailing of nearly 2,300.

Ninety-one percent of those responding to the poll felt that increasing crime-fighting efforts would be a good idea -- although only 33 percent responded positively to the statement "Crime is a serious problem in the Jungle Terrace neighborhood." The survey cost just under $1,000, association president Steve Plice said.

A consultant will analyze the data at a neighborhood meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Walter Fuller Community Center, 7891 26th Ave. N.

45th Avenue NE canal will be discussed

Anyone concerned about silt or debris in the 45th Avenue NE canal, which runs from First Street to the end of Placido Bayou, might want to attend North East Park's next meeting, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Masonic Home, 3201 First St. NE.

Engineering and Stormwater director Michael Connors will respond to the suggested topic, "The 45th Avenue NE canal: problems and possible solutions."

Lakewood Terrace to have a get-acquainted picnic

Lakewood Terrace, the area bounded by Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) and Sixth streets S and 34th Avenue S and Bayou Boulevard, will have a get-acquainted picnic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Grand View Park, Sixth Street S and 35th Avenue. The Lakewood Terrace Neighborhood Association will provide refreshments.

Meetings

BONITA BAYOU: Postponed until Sept. 20.

CENTRAL OAK PARK: 7 p.m. Tuesday (Crime Watch at 6:30), St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4444 Fifth Ave. N. Speaker: a horticulturist from Dolins Garden Center.

CHILDS PARK: 7 p.m. Monday, Childs Park Community Center, 4301 13th Ave. S. Speakers: a representative of the African-American Voter Research Education Committee; Jim Walker, on Fairmount Park Elementary School expansion; a city representative on reclaimed water.

COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS: 7 p.m. Wednesday, St. Petersburg Times auditorium, first floor, 490 First Ave. S. Speakers: police spokesman Rick Stelljes, crime prevention Officer William Wells on the new City Watch phone system; Neighborhood Partnership supervisor Susan Ajoc, on the neighborhood summit meeting; Bill Zacker, on tax reduction proposal for senior homeowners.

FRUITLAND HEIGHTS: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Omega House, 1836 20th Ave. S. Open forum.

LAKE EUCLID: 7 p.m. Monday, Norwood Baptist Church, 1818 29th Ave. N. Open forum.

LAKEWOOD ESTATES CRIME WATCH: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Maximo Elementary School, 4850 31st St. S. Speaker: Public Defender Bob Dillinger.

LAKEWOOD TERRACE: 7 p.m. Thursday, Lake Maggiore Baptist Church, 4100 Dr. M.L. King (Ninth) St. S. Topics: Crime Watch, neighborhood picnic.

MAGNOLIA HEIGHTS: 7 p.m. Thursday, Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, 2612 12th St. N. Speaker: County Commissioner candidate Brent Fisher.

WINSTON PARK: 7 p.m. Tuesday, North Branch Library, 861 70th Ave. NE. Speaker: fire safety representative Michelle Poulin.

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