Charles Village Civic Association, Baltimore, Maryland
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CVCA Saftey Committee

the Satefy Committee, surrently chaired by Sharon Guida, meets as needed with Northern District Neighborhood Services Officers, Doug Gibson and John Walther, and CVCBD Community Safety Coordinator, Walter Brown, to address crime prevention and law enforcement issues in Charles Village; attends the Northern District’s Community Council at 2201 W. Coldspring Lane (just west of 83) held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month; coordinates community participation in National Night Out vs Crime on the first Tuesday of August in each year; handles community complaints and hands out Northern District’s Crime Watch applications; coordinates with CVCBD, JHU, Northern District Police, and Union Memorial Hospital to maintain Neighborhood Walkers on Patrol Program; administering $3,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention for “Light Up the Night” project to improve lighting in targeted areas of Charles Village.

December 2010 Updates

JHU NEIGHBORHOOD FUND GRANT: The CVCA Safety Committee will be applying for additional grant money to fund its LIGHT UP THE NIGHT project to encourage more homeowners to install and maintain adequate exterior lighting in both the fronts and backs of their properties. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Sharon L. Guida at SLG2700@cs.com. The application has to be filed by January 15, 2011.

National Night Out a Big Success

in Charles Village

On August 3, 2010, Charles Villagers gathered on Maryland Avenue to mark the 27th annual National Night Out Against Crime. The program, sposored by the National Association of Town Watch, has recruited more than 36 million people to participate in the event, with an aim to

  • Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
  • Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
  • Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
  • Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Sharon Guida, chair of the CVCA's safety committee, made two important points: "We need to take this opportunity to remind residents about Neighborhood Walkers on Patrol and how eyes and ears on the street can prevent crime. They need to pay attention to crime prevention efforts 24-7 and not just when an incident occurs. Residents can be of assistance by joining walker groups....

"We also need to remind residents that the Police have told us to be vigilant as we walk at night so that at we can avoid suspicious persons before they get too near to us to avoid. We have been told on numerous occasions not to talk on the cellphone as we walk and not to have earphones on listening to music. We should be ever aware of our surroundings and stop into one of the local establishments if we see suspicious persons following us. Criminals look for the most vulnerable to attack."

Governor O'Malley stopped by to take with Villagers and show his support. Spirits were high and turn-out was healthy. For a schedule of neighborhood walkers, click here.

 

Safety Summit Gives Charles Villagers Focus

On August7, 2010, Charles Villagers gathered in the basement of the University Baptist Church for a "Safety Summit" to address concerns in the wake of Hopkins researcher Stephen Pitcaim's murder in July. More than 70 attendees showed up, representing all stakeholders -- from the mayor's office to the Northern district police. David Hill, director of the Charles Village Community Benefits District (CVCBD), and Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke organized the meeting. The CVCBD hired Odette Ramos to conduct the session with an aim to organize concerns and suggestions in the most constructive manner.

Among the suggestions offered were a need for more neighborhood walkers, better lighting on streets and sidewalks, and more police foot patrols. Some suggested that the CVCBD's budget be relegated wholly or mostly to safety. Others noted that this had been tried already. It seemed that most agreed that no single organization or entity could do it all. And most agreed that everyone should be open to discussing the possibilities. Ms. Ramos promised to circulate the list of ideas and Councilwoman Clarke has promised follow-up.

 

Link below to more information