West Hyattsville Metro Study Area Crime Prevention and Safety Plan

1. West Hyattsville Metro Study Area Crime Prevention and Safety Plan Urban Studies and Planning Program University of Maryland Fall 2006 Studio Thanks for giving us time to present. We’re graduate students the UMD urban planning program. This presentation is the result of a semester long research project in the area of the West Hyattsville metro station regarding crime and safety, . We’ll take about 5 minutes to explain what we’ve been doing this semester, and another 5 minutes to present our findings and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.Thanks for giving us time to present. We’re graduate students the UMD urban planning program. This presentation is the result of a semester long research project in the area of the West Hyattsville metro station regarding crime and safety, . We’ll take about 5 minutes to explain what we’ve been doing this semester, and another 5 minutes to present our findings and recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

2. Studio Team Rachel Fitzgerald Sarah Franklin Willow Lung Amam Mandy Ma Crystal Myers Ted Stevens Dr. Alex Chen Teresa Souza Client Group Lilian Corley Stuart Eisenberg Councilwoman Nicole Hinds Sgt. Suzie Johnson Cpl. Keith Powell We would like to take just a few minutes to introduce everybody and acknowledge our client group. (Explain who client group is associated with.)We would like to take just a few minutes to introduce everybody and acknowledge our client group. (Explain who client group is associated with.)

3. Context and Background

4. Context and Background

5. Should be Prince Georges County and identify UMD and the study area. Should be Prince Georges County and identify UMD and the study area.

6. This is our study area. In order to orient you to where we are, we’d like to point out a few important features. (Proceed to point out the few important features with the help of Mandy’s highlighting pen.) (Also point out roads and boundaries) (Make sure to say Hyattsville Commons is PROPOSED)This is our study area. In order to orient you to where we are, we’d like to point out a few important features. (Proceed to point out the few important features with the help of Mandy’s highlighting pen.) (Also point out roads and boundaries) (Make sure to say Hyattsville Commons is PROPOSED)

7. Distribution of Reported Crimes within the Study Area To explain a little bit why we focused on crime in this area, this slide illustrates the types of crimes that are occurring in the area. It should be noted that this area of Hyattsville has a crime rate that is somewhat higher than the rest of the city. In 2005, about 25% of the reported crimes in Hyattsville occur in West Hyattsville, while this area only contains approximately 17% of the city’s population. To explain a little bit why we focused on crime in this area, this slide illustrates the types of crimes that are occurring in the area. It should be noted that this area of Hyattsville has a crime rate that is somewhat higher than the rest of the city. In 2005, about 25% of the reported crimes in Hyattsville occur in West Hyattsville, while this area only contains approximately 17% of the city’s population.

8. Research Question and Objectives

9. Turn over to MandyTurn over to Mandy

10. Methodology and Research Findings MandyMandy

11. Methodology and Research Findings Physical Environment Neighborhood Survey CPTED Survey Lighting Survey Social Environment Phone Interviews Community Meeting The methodology process was divided into two categories: the physical and the social. I will be presenting the assessment of the physical environment. The three physical techniques that we used include a neighborhood survey, a CPTED survey and a lighting survey. Willow will be discussing the phone interviews and the community meeting. The methodology process was divided into two categories: the physical and the social. I will be presenting the assessment of the physical environment. The three physical techniques that we used include a neighborhood survey, a CPTED survey and a lighting survey. Willow will be discussing the phone interviews and the community meeting.

12. MethodologyNeighborhood Survey 120 surveys over four days English and Spanish Conducted at various locations Perceptions regarding physical environment We surveyed 120 people in neighborhood on their perceptions of crime, safety, and environmental factors that affect them. The surveys were conducted in both English and Spanish on Kirkwood property, the Path to Metro station, the Metro station platform, the Path to Chillum Road, and at the pupuseria trucks on Ager Road. We surveyed 120 people in neighborhood on their perceptions of crime, safety, and environmental factors that affect them. The surveys were conducted in both English and Spanish on Kirkwood property, the Path to Metro station, the Metro station platform, the Path to Chillum Road, and at the pupuseria trucks on Ager Road.

13. Research FindingsNeighborhood Survey One of the questions that we asked the respondents was “To what degree is crime a problem in the area?” Over 60% said that crime was at least a moderate problem. However, an analysis of the responses according to the demographic profile of the respondents showed that Kirkwood residents were more likely to cite crime as a major problem (40%) and non-Kirkwood residents were more likely to cite crime as a moderate problem (47%)One of the questions that we asked the respondents was “To what degree is crime a problem in the area?” Over 60% said that crime was at least a moderate problem. However, an analysis of the responses according to the demographic profile of the respondents showed that Kirkwood residents were more likely to cite crime as a major problem (40%) and non-Kirkwood residents were more likely to cite crime as a moderate problem (47%)

14. Research FindingsNeighborhood Survey We also asked what types of crimes were believed to be most prevalent in the area. The most frequently cited crimes were theft, drugs, vandalism and auto theft. These responses were compared to actual reported crimes… We also asked what types of crimes were believed to be most prevalent in the area. The most frequently cited crimes were theft, drugs, vandalism and auto theft. These responses were compared to actual reported crimes…

15. Reported Crime Total Crime Reported in Study Area between January and September 2006 …to the Hyattsville, Park and Metro police. One major difference is that vandalism is reported more frequently than other crimes, but it was perceived to be a lesser problem. The other major difference is that drug related crimes were perceived to be one of the most prevalent crimes, whereas in actuality, it was one of the least reported crimes. There may be a number of reasons for the difference between perceived and reported vandalism and drug-related crimes, including apathy or fear in reporting drug crimes, or people may feel more victimized by vandalism. …to the Hyattsville, Park and Metro police. One major difference is that vandalism is reported more frequently than other crimes, but it was perceived to be a lesser problem. The other major difference is that drug related crimes were perceived to be one of the most prevalent crimes, whereas in actuality, it was one of the least reported crimes. There may be a number of reasons for the difference between perceived and reported vandalism and drug-related crimes, including apathy or fear in reporting drug crimes, or people may feel more victimized by vandalism.

16. MethodologyCPTED Survey Five sub-areas surveyed Properties evaluated for natural access control, natural surveillance, territorial enforcement, and maintenance Recorded if CPTED feature was present, not present, or not applicable Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, is an evaluation tool used in planning that measures how well an area is designed in terms of deterring crime. We completed the survey for five sub-areas, which includes Kirkwood Apartments, the park and trails, the open field, the metro station and the metro station parking lots. Each area was evaluated for natural access control, which is a way of controlling or limiting entries and exits to and from the area; natural surveillance, which evaluates the presence of natural sight lines and the ability of people to observe what is around them; territorial enforcement, which uses elements such as landscaping and paths to define public and private space; and maintenance of the property.Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, is an evaluation tool used in planning that measures how well an area is designed in terms of deterring crime. We completed the survey for five sub-areas, which includes Kirkwood Apartments, the park and trails, the open field, the metro station and the metro station parking lots. Each area was evaluated for natural access control, which is a way of controlling or limiting entries and exits to and from the area; natural surveillance, which evaluates the presence of natural sight lines and the ability of people to observe what is around them; territorial enforcement, which uses elements such as landscaping and paths to define public and private space; and maintenance of the property.

17. Research FindingsCPTED Survey In terms of CPTED criteria, the higher scores represented by the lighter shades indicate better design and the lower scores, represented by the darker areas, indicate poorer design. However, the scores do not mean that one area is necessarily safer than another because all of the areas have room to improve (highest score was 68%), and the impacts that may result from poor design in one area are not confined to that area.In terms of CPTED criteria, the higher scores represented by the lighter shades indicate better design and the lower scores, represented by the darker areas, indicate poorer design. However, the scores do not mean that one area is necessarily safer than another because all of the areas have room to improve (highest score was 68%), and the impacts that may result from poor design in one area are not confined to that area.

18. MethodologyLighting Survey 314 lights surveyed WMATA property Kirkwood Apartments Ager Road and Hamilton Road Lights recorded as on, off, flickering or dim The last physical assessment of the area evaluated the quantity, brightness and extent of the lighting. There were 314 lights within the Survey Area. For each light we recorded whether it was on, off, flickering or dim and a light meter was used to measure the intensity of the lights.The last physical assessment of the area evaluated the quantity, brightness and extent of the lighting. There were 314 lights within the Survey Area. For each light we recorded whether it was on, off, flickering or dim and a light meter was used to measure the intensity of the lights.

20. Research FindingsLighting Survey The survey found that 14% of the lights were out or not functioning properly. When the data was mapped, it appeared that the area was well-lit. Each yellow circle indicates the extent and the intensity of each light. The darker yellow represents more intense lights and the lighter yellow represents less intense lights. Even areas that appear un-lit receive some lighting from nearby sources. However, poor lighting was still an issue commonly cited by respondents during the neighborhood survey. This could be due to the fact that some of the lights were obstructed by trees, bushes and buildings, or that the lights were not scaled to the pedestrian level. Now Willow will present the social methodologies and findings.The survey found that 14% of the lights were out or not functioning properly. When the data was mapped, it appeared that the area was well-lit. Each yellow circle indicates the extent and the intensity of each light. The darker yellow represents more intense lights and the lighter yellow represents less intense lights. Even areas that appear un-lit receive some lighting from nearby sources. However, poor lighting was still an issue commonly cited by respondents during the neighborhood survey. This could be due to the fact that some of the lights were obstructed by trees, bushes and buildings, or that the lights were not scaled to the pedestrian level. Now Willow will present the social methodologies and findings.

21. Methodology and Research Findings Social Environment Goals Identify barriers to involvement Mobilize existing community resources and assets Phone Interviews Community Meeting Thanks Mandy. Just to review, Mandy just talked about the physical aspects of our study. I’m going to about the social environmental research that we conducting including our methodology and research findings. Keeping in mind that the Study Area community includes many immigrants and transient residents, this part of the research was directed toward understanding the barriers to organizing communities around crime prevention and how to mobilize existing community resources and assets. The research included conducting phone interviews with local organizations and organizing a community meeting for residents of the Kirkwood complex.Thanks Mandy. Just to review, Mandy just talked about the physical aspects of our study. I’m going to about the social environmental research that we conducting including our methodology and research findings. Keeping in mind that the Study Area community includes many immigrants and transient residents, this part of the research was directed toward understanding the barriers to organizing communities around crime prevention and how to mobilize existing community resources and assets. The research included conducting phone interviews with local organizations and organizing a community meeting for residents of the Kirkwood complex.

22. MethodologyPhone Interviews Areas of interest Types and extent of services Resident leadership Experience in mobilizing residents Barriers to resident involvement 50 organizations contacted Community organizations Recreation centers Schools Civic organizations Political representatives Faith-based organizations Service providers 16 “key informants” In order to assess some of the existing strengths and weakness of the community, we contacted 50 local organizations to gather information about four primary areas of interest: 1) the types and extent of crime-related services in the area; 2) Existing resident or community leadership; 3) previous experiences in engaging and mobilizing residents around various issues; and 4) Barriers to resident involvement in community crime prevention. Organizations were broadly defined as, any party with a stake holding interest and experience working with our target population, including (list them). Of the 50 contacted, 16 acted as key informants. The persons provided the most comprehensive and conclusive information, which we were able to use to develop our recommendation and methodology for further assessing the social environment. In order to assess some of the existing strengths and weakness of the community, we contacted 50 local organizations to gather information about four primary areas of interest: 1) the types and extent of crime-related services in the area; 2) Existing resident or community leadership; 3) previous experiences in engaging and mobilizing residents around various issues; and 4) Barriers to resident involvement in community crime prevention. Organizations were broadly defined as, any party with a stake holding interest and experience working with our target population, including (list them). Of the 50 contacted, 16 acted as key informants. The persons provided the most comprehensive and conclusive information, which we were able to use to develop our recommendation and methodology for further assessing the social environment.

23. Research FindingsPhone Interviews Barriers to community involvement Apathy and transience Fear and distrust Time and resources Cultural barriers Teen issues Weaknesses of existing services Prevention services lacking Resident awareness Access Lack of resident leadership From our phone conversations with the key informants and discussions with our client groups, we were able to assess the social environment in terms of services, resident leadership and organization, and community involvement. The main issues that were pointed out in terms of residents involvement included (list them) Apathy and transience Residents tend to be reluctant to be involved because of a lack of sense of ownership and sense of community. Transient nature of resident tends to discourage residents from development a sense of attachment and a willingness to invest in their neighborhood. To overcome this issues, informants suggested mobilizing residents around, short-term, action oriented projects. They encouraged us to clearly define the issues, objectives and outcomes of any meetings, and suggested offering enticements to participate, such as resources and information. 2) Fear and distrust Police, politicians, management and each other. Potential contributing factors include current climate around immigration and past relationships with police. Distrust among neighbors can in part be explained by the ambivalence that residents reported during the neighborhood survey, which Mandy explained, as to whether residents or non-residents were committing crimes. 3) Time and resources Parents often working long hours. Community lacks financial and social resources would allow residents to easily organize around the issue of crime. Offering child care, food, and convenient times to meet. Providing resources and information at the meeting. 4) Cultural barriers Large immigrant community – lack of experience in political participation. Cultural values Conflicts and tensions between groups Having translators Allowing self-segregation Providing non-traditional formats and meeting locations. 5) Teen issues Teens are often the perpetrators and victims Gang activity, peer-pressure In some cases, more likely to report crimes than their parents gangs Center meeting around youth-oriented activities, enticements such as music, food and community service credit Provide safe place for teens to discuss issues, without co-opting the meeting with adult concerns, for example, separate teen working groups Meeting them on their own turf, such as sponsoring meetings at schools, recreation centers. Direct marketing to them and their issues Weakness of the existing services were primarily related to the lack of crime prevention services and lack of resident awareness and access to those services that did existing. Prevention services that informants felt were most lacking were those related to youth including: Mentoring and tutoring Gang prevention After school Supportive services for working parents Access was mentioned by several informants as particularly important for teens with working parents to and from these after school programs In asking informants to identify community leaders, we found that most organizations referred us to political leadership or organizations that did not service the Kirkwood community. Through all of our contacts, were not able to identity an leaders within Kirkwood and thus concluded that there lacks a sense From our phone conversations with the key informants and discussions with our client groups, we were able to assess the social environment in terms of services, resident leadership and organization, and community involvement. The main issues that were pointed out in terms of residents involvement included (list them) Apathy and transience Residents tend to be reluctant to be involved because of a lack of sense of ownership and sense of community. Transient nature of resident tends to discourage residents from development a sense of attachment and a willingness to invest in their neighborhood. To overcome this issues, informants suggested mobilizing residents around, short-term, action oriented projects. They encouraged us to clearly define the issues, objectives and outcomes of any meetings, and suggested offering enticements to participate, such as resources and information. 2) Fear and distrust Police, politicians, management and each other. Potential contributing factors include current climate around immigration and past relationships with police. Distrust among neighbors can in part be explained by the ambivalence that residents reported during the neighborhood survey, which Mandy explained, as to whether residents or non-residents were committing crimes. 3) Time and resources Parents often working long hours. Community lacks financial and social resources would allow residents to easily organize around the issue of crime. Offering child care, food, and convenient times to meet. Providing resources and information at the meeting. 4) Cultural barriers Large immigrant community – lack of experience in political participation. Cultural values Conflicts and tensions between groups Having translators Allowing self-segregation Providing non-traditional formats and meeting locations. 5) Teen issues Teens are often the perpetrators and victims Gang activity, peer-pressure In some cases, more likely to report crimes than their parents gangs Center meeting around youth-oriented activities, enticements such as music, food and community service credit Provide safe place for teens to discuss issues, without co-opting the meeting with adult concerns, for example, separate teen working groups Meeting them on their own turf, such as sponsoring meetings at schools, recreation centers. Direct marketing to them and their issues Weakness of the existing services were primarily related to the lack of crime prevention services and lack of resident awareness and access to those services that did existing. Prevention services that informants felt were most lacking were those related to youth including: Mentoring and tutoring Gang prevention After school Supportive services for working parents Access was mentioned by several informants as particularly important for teens with working parents to and from these after school programs In asking informants to identify community leaders, we found that most organizations referred us to political leadership or organizations that did not service the Kirkwood community. Through all of our contacts, were not able to identity an leaders within Kirkwood and thus concluded that there lacks a sense

24. MethodologyCommunity Meeting Addressed barriers to participation Meeting time and location Advertising Resources provided Incentives Objectives and follow-up Cultural barriers Meeting structure Review of study to date Potential solutions Focus groups Seven participants The Community Meeting was the culmination of much of the physical and social environment research that we completed. We used the community meeting as a way of providing information and resources to the community, receive resident feedback on the issues that we identified, and potential strategies for address the issues. The team made special efforts to be sensitive to the issues that were identified during the phone interviews. Meeting was held on a Monday evening, a time that we thought would be convenient for working parents. It was held at nearby Rosa Parks Elementary within walking distance to the Kirkwood complex. Advertising for the meeting included face-to-face invites to 120 residents during the neighborhood survey, flying in each of the Kirkwood apartment buildings and under each residents door, and direct marketing to community organizations (face-to-face presence and establish credibility). A translator was present, food and child care were provided. Residents were able to self-segregate into focus groups. We identified the purpose and measurable objectives for the meeting. Community service credit was offered to encourage teen participation. No pictures were taken and providing contact information was voluntary. Team collected crime and safety information from the various services and organizations to make information available to resident at the meeting. In total, we had a seven community members attended the meeting, four of which were Kirkwood residents. At the meeting, the Team brief introduced the team’s work to date and devoted the majority of the time to resident focus groups to allow residents to identify potential solutions. The Community Meeting was the culmination of much of the physical and social environment research that we completed. We used the community meeting as a way of providing information and resources to the community, receive resident feedback on the issues that we identified, and potential strategies for address the issues. The team made special efforts to be sensitive to the issues that were identified during the phone interviews. Meeting was held on a Monday evening, a time that we thought would be convenient for working parents. It was held at nearby Rosa Parks Elementary within walking distance to the Kirkwood complex. Advertising for the meeting included face-to-face invites to 120 residents during the neighborhood survey, flying in each of the Kirkwood apartment buildings and under each residents door, and direct marketing to community organizations (face-to-face presence and establish credibility). A translator was present, food and child care were provided. Residents were able to self-segregate into focus groups. We identified the purpose and measurable objectives for the meeting. Community service credit was offered to encourage teen participation. No pictures were taken and providing contact information was voluntary. Team collected crime and safety information from the various services and organizations to make information available to resident at the meeting. In total, we had a seven community members attended the meeting, four of which were Kirkwood residents. At the meeting, the Team brief introduced the team’s work to date and devoted the majority of the time to resident focus groups to allow residents to identify potential solutions.

25. Research FindingsCommunity Meeting Main issues Interior maintenance of apartments Poor lighting in parks and on trails Lack of youth-oriented activities Lack of communication Lack of police and management presence Observations Community divisions Reluctant leadership The main issues that residents discussed during the focus groups were (List them). Lack of communication Residents not knowing where to go to get information Having a central point of contact Having consistent and reliable information available. The main criticism that came from the residents was the lack of management and police presence at the meeting. Residents felt that it would be useful to engage in direct dialogue. This police had specifically been asked not to attend the meeting because of the informant feedback we had received about resident fear and distrust. Our observations of the meeting were that the residents also tended to speak for a smaller community, rather than the Kirkwood community as whole. There appeared to be a feeling of disconnection among different subgroups that gave us the sense that residents may be perceiving and experiencing environment differently. Resident were reluctant to get involved or organize even after the meeting. They wanted concrete results to come out of the meeting (largely through actions by management, the City and police) that did not involve making long-term commitments on the part of the residents. Only 4 participants provided their contact information and none indicated an interest in organizing after themselves after the meeting. The main issues that residents discussed during the focus groups were (List them). Lack of communication Residents not knowing where to go to get information Having a central point of contact Having consistent and reliable information available. The main criticism that came from the residents was the lack of management and police presence at the meeting. Residents felt that it would be useful to engage in direct dialogue. This police had specifically been asked not to attend the meeting because of the informant feedback we had received about resident fear and distrust. Our observations of the meeting were that the residents also tended to speak for a smaller community, rather than the Kirkwood community as whole. There appeared to be a feeling of disconnection among different subgroups that gave us the sense that residents may be perceiving and experiencing environment differently. Resident were reluctant to get involved or organize even after the meeting. They wanted concrete results to come out of the meeting (largely through actions by management, the City and police) that did not involve making long-term commitments on the part of the residents. Only 4 participants provided their contact information and none indicated an interest in organizing after themselves after the meeting.

26. Recommendations Considering these findings in the context of some of the Study Area's major features allows for recommendations to be made to improve safety and reduce crime. Barriers to engaging residents in community crime prevention within transient neighborhoods were discovered in the process of organizing the Community Meeting. Transient communities require a consistent and active presence in order to engage both new and existing residents. Establishing trust, a sense of ownership, and engaging community takes time. Leaders will be difficult to find among the existing residents because of the lack of long-term residents and bonds to the neighborhood. In the absence of long-term residents that can drive community engagement, it may be necessary to leverage external resources, such as community or civic organizations. In addition, transient communities require that management and local government create systems that not only ensure continued and consistent service delivery, but also frequent opportunities for resident involvement and engagement. These systems require a commitment of time and resources, which can be assisted by facilitating the use of existing services. This brings us back to our research question . . .What actions can be taken to engage transient communities in crime prevention? The recommendations we have developed derive from the physical and social context of the Study Area as well as barriers to crime prevention discovered over the course of this study. Considering these findings in the context of some of the Study Area's major features allows for recommendations to be made to improve safety and reduce crime. Barriers to engaging residents in community crime prevention within transient neighborhoods were discovered in the process of organizing the Community Meeting. Transient communities require a consistent and active presence in order to engage both new and existing residents. Establishing trust, a sense of ownership, and engaging community takes time. Leaders will be difficult to find among the existing residents because of the lack of long-term residents and bonds to the neighborhood. In the absence of long-term residents that can drive community engagement, it may be necessary to leverage external resources, such as community or civic organizations. In addition, transient communities require that management and local government create systems that not only ensure continued and consistent service delivery, but also frequent opportunities for resident involvement and engagement. These systems require a commitment of time and resources, which can be assisted by facilitating the use of existing services. This brings us back to our research question . . .What actions can be taken to engage transient communities in crime prevention? The recommendations we have developed derive from the physical and social context of the Study Area as well as barriers to crime prevention discovered over the course of this study.

27. Recommendations Goals Creating an environment that fosters a sense of security Building community trust Generating a sense of community ownership Recommendations directed to one or more stakeholders West Hyattsville Tenant Guide to Safety Based on our research findings, we developed a set of goals to guide our recommendations (List them). The recommendation were directed towards the identified stakeholders in the area: WMATA, Kirkwood management, the City of Hyattsville, Prince George’s County, and M-NCPPC. The document that you have in front of you is a complete listing of these recommendations, organized by key goals, objectives and strategies for each of the stakeholders. I would like to take a few minutes now to familiarize you with the recommendations. You should all have a sheet that looks like this . . . With the recommendations on it. These recommendations seek to improve police and agency responsiveness, improve the physical environment and amenities, improve communication at all levels, build relationships, be inclusive of diverse groups, and increase available activities and services. The first goal . . . is addressed on the first two and a half pages, The first page focuses on improving police responsiveness with recommendations such as better adverting of the police escort service, using bike or foot patrols rather than vehicle patrols, police presence at community events, and improved inter-jurisdictional communication through the use of a common server for the various police acencies and regular meetings among these agencies. The recommendations on page two focuses on improving the physical environment by improving the quality of lighting, installing mirrors in metro tunnels, regular trimming to reduce hiding places, landscaping to define entrances, posted hours and maps for the trails, and installing attractive fences to reduce access. The last set of recommendations under this goal address agency responsiveness through setting maintenance standards and tracking as well as routine maintenance. The second goal . . . Is addressed on pages five through ten. Pages five and six seek to improve communication among agencies through provision of information packets to residents, newsletters, Krikwood staff familiarity with local resources, and regular meetings between police and Kirkwood staff. Pages seven and eight seek to build relationships through regular communication with newsletters, flyers, regular activities, bulletin boards, police presence during times when residents are walking children to and from school, and sponsorship of local activities by police, as well as parent involvement. Page nine and ten seek to be inclusive of the various demographic groups within the study area by providing translation for all communications, hosting a multi-cultural festival, providing community service credit for teen involvement, on-site tutoring and club activities, childcare during events, and developing mom’s groups. The third goal . . . Is addressed on pages ten through 12. The recommendations on page ten seek to foster community relationships through cultural events, community projects, and creation small community spaces. The recommendations on page 11 seek to increase the activities and services available to residents by providing a community meeting space, sports equipment, information about off-site activities, and a shuttle to home from local community centers. The recommendations on pages 11 and 12 focus on enhancing the physical amenities available by paving walking paths, additions and improvements to exiting parks and playgrounds, landscaping that designates private and semi-public space from public space, designated parking, named buildings, and creating a space for resources in the management office. Additionally, the Tenant Safety guide that is available to you is a compilation of the actions that can be taken by neighborhood residents in order to improve the safety of their neighborhood. By Jan. 1, the full Report of our Study and Recommendations will be made available on the Internet. At this time the Tenant Safety Guide will also be avalible in a format that can be adapted for easy distribution to other apartment complexes and residents within the City or County. The guide id currentally being traslated and will be avalible in Spanish on the website as well Based on our research findings, we developed a set of goals to guide our recommendations (List them). The recommendation were directed towards the identified stakeholders in the area: WMATA, Kirkwood management, the City of Hyattsville, Prince George’s County, and M-NCPPC. The document that you have in front of you is a complete listing of these recommendations, organized by key goals, objectives and strategies for each of the stakeholders. I would like to take a few minutes now to familiarize you with the recommendations. You should all have a sheet that looks like this . . . With the recommendations on it. These recommendations seek to improve police and agency responsiveness, improve the physical environment and amenities, improve communication at all levels, build relationships, be inclusive of diverse groups, and increase available activities and services. The first goal . . . is addressed on the first two and a half pages, The first page focuses on improving police responsiveness with recommendations such as better adverting of the police escort service, using bike or foot patrols rather than vehicle patrols, police presence at community events, and improved inter-jurisdictional communication through the use of a common server for the various police acencies and regular meetings among these agencies. The recommendations on page two focuses on improving the physical environment by improving the quality of lighting, installing mirrors in metro tunnels, regular trimming to reduce hiding places, landscaping to define entrances, posted hours and maps for the trails, and installing attractive fences to reduce access. The last set of recommendations under this goal address agency responsiveness through setting maintenance standards and tracking as well as routine maintenance. The second goal . . . Is addressed on pages five through ten. Pages five and six seek to improve communication among agencies through provision of information packets to residents, newsletters, Krikwood staff familiarity with local resources, and regular meetings between police and Kirkwood staff. Pages seven and eight seek to build relationships through regular communication with newsletters, flyers, regular activities, bulletin boards, police presence during times when residents are walking children to and from school, and sponsorship of local activities by police, as well as parent involvement. Page nine and ten seek to be inclusive of the various demographic groups within the study area by providing translation for all communications, hosting a multi-cultural festival, providing community service credit for teen involvement, on-site tutoring and club activities, childcare during events, and developing mom’s groups. The third goal . . . Is addressed on pages ten through 12. The recommendations on page ten seek to foster community relationships through cultural events, community projects, and creation small community spaces. The recommendations on page 11 seek to increase the activities and services available to residents by providing a community meeting space, sports equipment, information about off-site activities, and a shuttle to home from local community centers. The recommendations on pages 11 and 12 focus on enhancing the physical amenities available by paving walking paths, additions and improvements to exiting parks and playgrounds, landscaping that designates private and semi-public space from public space, designated parking, named buildings, and creating a space for resources in the management office. Additionally, the Tenant Safety guide that is available to you is a compilation of the actions that can be taken by neighborhood residents in order to improve the safety of their neighborhood. By Jan. 1, the full Report of our Study and Recommendations will be made available on the Internet. At this time the Tenant Safety Guide will also be avalible in a format that can be adapted for easy distribution to other apartment complexes and residents within the City or County. The guide id currentally being traslated and will be avalible in Spanish on the website as well

28. Questions and Comments? The website is listed here and can also be found on the last page of the community action guide. We would like to now open the floor to questions regarding the recommendations and presentation. The website is listed here and can also be found on the last page of the community action guide. We would like to now open the floor to questions regarding the recommendations and presentation.