Bill Matt

Today the City Council Public Safety committee will be discussing the Mayor's crime prevention strategy, but I expect most of the focus to be on the controversial camera plan. Unfortunately the broader scope of implementing PROGRAMS to help build families and guide youth to the proper path. These long term strategies are vital in our community, and it is my hope that they receive as much attention, input from the community, scrutiny and resources as the cameras have. Part of the plan includes: (LINK)

... expanded youth development programs that engage and empower young people to get on and stay on the right road, and the addition of a Neighborhood Watch Officer to greatly expand the reach of neighborhood watch organizations city-wide.

and to quote the Mayor:

..."encourages and empowers Lansing residents to work together to create safer neighborhoods, and helps our young people to get and stay on the right road"

In addition, the crime prevention plan fails to address building and supporting programs that prevent violence against women, as has been repeatedly pointed out by Melissa Dey Hasbrook these past few weeks in letters to Council and the Mayor. More great information can be found on her blog at (WOMEN WRITERS).

Engaging the community and building programs are the visionary strategies I support for Lansing. How do we get started?

Labels: Bill Matt, cameras, crime, lansing city council, women writers