In October, 1969, the Police Liaison Committee was initiated by Burke Mees in an effort to curb crime in the Skinker-DeBaliviere area through community participation.
Since that time, the Committee has made regular visits to the Seventh District Police Station to compile figures on crime in the area. It has also been largely responsible for increased beat patrol coverage and formation of the Block Watchers. In addition, the Committee has done some investigation of home protection devices.
Mr. Virgil Wright, who heads the group, says that they are now going through a revamping stage. At present, the Committee has no administrative board, and overall organization is somewhat loose. These difficulties will hopefully be eliminated.
Future plans include building the Committee membership to twelve regular attending delegates representing specific neighborhoods in the area and offering an instruction program on how to report crimes more effectively and how to recognize con-games. Mr. Wright says that a police substation might be advantageous; a simple store-front building could serve in this capacity. He also expressed a desire to see security guards stationed at area bus stops from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the high crime hours. This would provide protection and peace of mind to area residents going to and from work. Public relations and fundraising programs are now under consideration.
Although all Committee meetings are now on a call basis, a regular schedule will be decided upon in the near future.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_04.pdf, printed page 5.
