Councilman Tom Simplot's
North Central News Column

February 2005

District 4 Crime Summit to Explore Issues and Solutions

When I talk with you and your neighbors about important issues in your communities, crime is usually one of the most pressing. Property crime, vagrancy and disorderly conduct can all detract from the homes and communities you have created and invested in.

To learn more about your concerns, I held my first Crime Summit for District 4 residents in December, 2003, soon after I took office. The discussion we had brought changes in the way Phoenix looks at crime and how it combats crime. In response to suggestions from residents, the city began looking at the root of crime in neighborhoods. At its core, crime prevention is community policing - stopping crimes before they start. You as a group wanted crime-causing problems, like loud parties, shut down before they became bigger problems.

I carried that message to the Phoenix City Council and we enacted the "Loud Party Ordinance" to deal with recurrent problem parties. Now after one warning, people blaring music, yelling or making other loud noise have to pay a fee to the police department, an effective deterrent.

We will be putting our heads together once again later this month. Our next District 4 Crime Summit is from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 26, Burton Barr Library, 1221 N. Central Ave. I am inviting the public to come out and let us know what crimes and/or quality of life issues we can help improve in our neighborhoods.

The event will be useful for you and helpful to those of us working at the city. We plan to break out into smaller groups, with an expert facilitator, to identify and prioritize crime issues. Residents will also hear from the newly-elected Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris.

"The Phoenix Police Department is committed to a partnership with local officials and citizens to reduce crime, provide growth opportunities and improved quality of life for all of those who live in and visit our great city," said Chief Harris.

The Chief points out that neighborhood crime-prevention programs, like Violence Impact Projects, Project Safe Neighborhood and our longstanding Block Watch program have been able to reduce incidents of violent crime.

Our goal with bringing all of these interested parties together is brainstorming about issues and potential solutions.

With your help, we can cut crime in District 4 and all of Phoenix. It's a way to make our community safer. Your energy and vision can help make better neighborhoods for all.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Councilman Simplot's office at 602-262-7447 or e-mail at council.district.4@phoenix.gov.