May 2023 Meeting

Crime and Safety Report (Lieutenant Dan)

• Auto related crimes are most prevalent.
  • There will be a decrease in auto thefts, but only because compared to a year ago (not 2-3 years ago when problems began).
  • When problems started, there was significant opportunity for auto related crimes.  Now availability is reduced (less Kias, clubs).  
  • Result is other types of crimes may happen more often:
    • Cars left running at gas stations.
    • Unlocked cars at gas stations.
  • Please get in mindset for preventative car theft
    • Park in the garage (if possible), under lights, etc. 
• Other crimes:
  • Vacant properties / projects under construction being burglarized.
  • Garage burglaries are down.
• Response problems with 911
  • It is frustrating but stay online if possible.
  • Do not confront suspicious individuals – many are armed.
• Question:  have clubs been effective against auto thefts?
  • Every measure helps reduce chances of theft – probably by 95%
  • Clubs are effective but have seen a few of them cut (5-6 times).
  • Starting to see more broken windows – ideal not to leave anything that might look valuable in a vehicle.
• Question: other ways than 911 to submit information to police?
  • Working on it. Preponderance of video evidence is relatively new.  Trying to work on email options.  Please keep video evidence – most times detectives will be able to use it later.
• Question: what to do if you see cars with expired temp tags?
  • Unfortunately, it is not a high priority compared to more serious crime – do not make a call to 911 if you see this.
• Question: back in the 90s there was a campaign to leave porch lights on.  Did that make a difference?
  • Absolutely – very effective at deterring crime.

Ward Updates (Michael Browning, Alderman)

• Board of Aldermen are working to increase public safety
  • New traffic cameras – working around constitutionality issue
  • Consolidated 911 center (fire, policies, EMS all currently all in different places)
• Transportation and Commerce committee
  • Upgrades to Lambert Airport are coming.
• Focused on collecting data on dead trees in the neighborhood.
  • Please submit issues to the Citizens Service Bureau. 
  • If submitted, please contact Michael and he will follow up.
• Question: is there a plan to add lighting to dark alleys?
  • Looking at costs for additional pedestrian lighting (ward capital)
  • Please report burned out cobra head streetlights to the CSB
  • Please report burned out alley lights to Ameren.
• Questions:  Cars speeding on Chouteau Ave, Boyle Ave & Vandeventer – add speed trap cameras?
  • Can look to discourage speeding with street improvements such as speed humps, bump outs.  Open to exploring other options.
• Comment:  homeless are people camping on the north side of Chouteau Park (other side of fence – MoDot property).
  • Will investigate and send out people (city human services) for a welfare check.
  • Ron Coleman is aware of the situation and working with the Dept. of Human Services.
• Question: do you have extra staff with only 14 aldermen?
  • Each alderperson will have 1 legislative assistant.
  • Applications are still open.  $55K/year. (intensive job).
• New charter commission:
  • Applications open until June 6th.
  • Reach out to Michael if interested – will recommend 3 people from ward to Mayor.
• Question: doing anything about short term rentals?  
  • B of A is looking at an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals.  
  • The planning commission updated the city code to define short-term rentals.   
  • They will most likely be regulated rather than outright banned.
  • Intention is to make it easy for the city to respond to issues and easily remove the ability to rent a property as a short-term rental if there is a problem.
  • Follow up comment:  some cities force owners to live on or adjacent to premises of short-term rentals.
  • Michael wants to mandate neighbor notification of short-term rentals.

Neighborhood Update (Ron Coleman, Neighborhood Improvement Specialist)

• Residential Parking district
  • Application will move forward in the first week of June.
  • Should not be getting tickets – contact Ron if you get a ticket.
• Chouteau Park homeless camp
  • Aware of the situation – trying to get them help.
  • Working with neighborhood security initiative
• Please contact Ron about any lighting or dead trees in addition to Alderman Browning.

Treasurer’s Report (Cammie Lewis, FPSE NA Treasurer)

• Revenue: $510 in dues paid
• Pay dues via cashapp / check / cash – pay what you want, sliding scale
  • Cannot take Venmo payments.

Community updates and news (Dan Doelling):

• Park Central “stay in place” program.
  • https://www.parkcentraldevelopment.org/services
  • Requires covid impact statement or qualifying member (seniors or below poverty line)
• Neighborhood cleanups
  • Every 4th Saturday – May 27th will clean up Kings Oak
• Happy Hour
  • June 15th @7pm at Urban Chestnut
  • Meet neighbors and discuss issues!
• Massive mulching at Chouteau Ave & Newstead Ave
  • Big thanks to Cammie
• De-volcano mulching
  • Too much mulch around a tree can cause issues and trees can die.
  • Wed June 7 @ 6pm – meet at Urban Chestnut 
  • Saving trees along Manchester
• Tree planting – Fall 2023 date TBD.
• Neighborhood Night Out – September 9th – location TBD – will be outside. 
• Please join Event Committee
  • Plan events, design flyers, hang flyers.

Neighborhood open discussion, suggestions, experiences, and ideas:

• Trash and potholes in alley
  • Sewers collapse in alleys frequently creating sinkholes.
    • The city will cover collapsed sewers if located in an alley. 
  • Encourage neighbors to pick up loose trash in alleys. 
  • Report damaged dumpsters to CSB, Ron Coleman, or Alderman.
• Strategic locations for trash cans
  • Along Manchester Ave & Chouteau Park.
• Neighborhood education program in neighborhood to properly recycle.
  • Many bins get contaminated with non-recyclable items.
  • Only 30% is getting recycled due to contamination.
  • Please break down boxes and do not recycle plastic grocery bags.
• Resident walking experience
  • Adams school baseball field always looks to be unused.
    • Seldomly used by Adams school.
    • Start a kickball league? 
    • There might be specific requirements for its use due to a Cardinals grant to fund a baseball field.
      • FPSENA would be good vehicle to approach Adams School (will have alderman’s support)
• Put out trash cans in front of your house to supplement city trash cans. 
  • Also, dog waste bags (can be grocery bags). 
• Nice to have the option to walk to Metrolink for transportation (airport, downtown, etc.).
• Trees need more space to grow. 
  • Depaving – removed parts of sidewalk to give trees space to grow.
  • Help alleviate shifting & raised sidewalks.
• Sidewalk is closed at Ronald McDonald house – not safe for walking.

You can download a copy of this meeting’s minutes below.

You can also listen to May’s meeting below, and wherever you get your podcasts.