Friday, November 16, 2007

Oak Cliff residents staying involved in community

By Michael Davis of Dallas Progress

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting with a neighborhood group in South Oak Cliff. We were packed into the library of one of our schools. We had a chance to talk about our new initiatives, to listen to concerns, and encourage them to stay involved.

These people have been "through it." When say through it, I mean that their neighborhood has been held hostage by drug dealers, run-down houses, and petty criminals. I know about having to hit the floor when the gunshots go off; I did that often growing up.

Thank you to Chief Sherryl Scott and other DPD that attended, as well as Code Department head Forrest Turner and all of the folks from code. It was a joy to see them vigourously taking notes and pledging to address the problems in that area. The most uncomfortable thing in a meeting like this is to listen to these issues. Personally, I'm glad we're uncomfortable - it shows that we have work to do and have clear marching orders to improve this neighborhood. And we will.

Forrest mentioned that thanks to Dwaine he now has the boots for the illegally-parked 18-wheelers, and will work with the transportation department and DPD to start immobilizing these vehicles that are destroying the quality of life in our district. I appreciate his frank talk about what needs to done to improve the code department.

Chief Scott has already started a drug tip hotline in her South Central Division...after two weeks on the job! Gotta love it! She is not scared to face the facts that this is a tough area, and I know she will do what's needed to reduce crime.

I talked with one of our seniors who lost a son to gun violence near her home a couple of years ago. We will never be able to take away that mother's pain, but what we hope to do is restore a sense of order to a neighborhood that has experienced quite a decline in the last eight years. This is where the battles for our streets are won and lost.

Today is a new day. Our team won't settle for less than complete eradication of the problem. You can talk all day long, but this neighborhood has seen the success in other areas of the District and wants to do their part to effect change in their area. I thank the neighbors for the confidence they have placed in us to get the job done.

Pegasus News content partner - Dallas Progress

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