Update on a Few Items of Interest

POLICE CHIEF UPDATE ON TWO RECENT SHOOTINGS: Chief Roger Peterson gave the city council a brief update on the two recent shootings in town. Summary is that significant progress has been made on both and, though we are not able to discuss details for fear of compromising the investigations, you should expect to see results shortly. Keep tuned. For those who expressed concern about the shooting in Watson Field due to the close proximity to the condos and apartments well, for what it's worth this area was not a "turf" war nor is it a known gang hangout but was selected as a neutral area to have a scheduled fight. Go figure. Lots of room? Nice grass? Somewhat isolated? ???? Anyway, one of the gangs brought guns and apparently the other didn't so it was a one-sided affair to start with. No one said any of these guys are smart. The second shooting was not related to the first but does appear to have some gang tie in and the cops are on the trail. We have been assured that arrests are imminent and we will prosecute to the full extent of the law ... and we have done so in the past. The mayor is working with several community leaders to see what we might do to address the problem as well.

INITIAL TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY COMPLETED: Our Public Works Traffic Engineer, Gary Shannon, presented the results of a year long traffic study which was based on complaints registered over the last two years about traffic issues -- mainly speeding through residential areas. It was a very detailed and interesting piece of work. Each of 62 complaints were studied and looked at for location, traffic volume, seriousness of the violation. locations (type of road/proximity to schools etc.). Many of these complaints were one of a kind but all were looked at. At this point we have a few areas of concern in the Fifth Ward but not as many as other areas of the city. After a thorough analysis and measurement of the problem, each were given a 1-4 priority and traffic calming approaches were assigned as appropriate. The approaches may be a) further evaluation; b)Education -- use of portable speed trailers, the Traffic Tamers program; c) Enforcement - targeting specific violators, increased police presence on high volume/high speed areas; d) Engineering -- safety review of Excessive Speed Areas & traffic calming engineering solutions proposed to the affected residents. NOTE: The calming approaches used will vary depending on the problems and priority assigned to the complaint received to date. Plans to respond to all complainants are in the works as are plans to better quantify and qualify future traffic complaints. I have a copy of the report and will see if it's possible to have it added to our city's web site. Another very thorough job done by staff and I believe we will start seeing results from this yet this summer.

THANKS FOR ALL WHO HELPED -- LITTER BIT BETTER PROJECT AND RNEIGHBORWOODS TREE PLANTING: Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who participate in the Litter Bit Better clean up campaign. It the second year doing this and we broke all records in number of participants and amount of trash collected. Now if only the dummies who created this huge amount of trash would get the word about cleaning up after themselves, perhaps someday we could just have the closing picnic and not have to do the trash pickup during the week!

I'd especially like to thank the stalwart volunteers who braved the cold weather, strong winds, and frosted fingers to help beautify one of our neighborhoods in the 5th Ward -- the west Silver Lake area by helping make the RNEIGHBORWOODS Tree Planting project a success. Drive down Silver Lake Drive and you can't help but see the work done. 100 trees were planted in this area. This will truly help not only beautify the area but will also contribute to the overall health of the community, storm water abatement, CO2 reduction, cooling and shading area residences etc. Many, many thanks to all who showed up (approx. 200), to the sponsors, to the organizers from RNeighbors, and especially to the city Park's Forestry Department, Jacob Ryg, who planned, marked, dug holes in the rain and made the overall job so much easier. I almost dreaded getting up Saturday morning to go to the site because I had visions of only the RNeighbors board members and perhaps a few others showing up to work but let me tell you it was absolutely wonderful to see so many kids, parents, students, neighbors, residents from the Cronin House, community service youth, Public Works staff, and Park Dept. employees who chipped in. WHAT A CITY!!!!

Bob Nowicki
City Council Member
5th Ward