Historical February–March 2014 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
A security committee was formed a number of years ago.
It has been consistently active for the last 7 years, under the tutelage of Paul Michaelson, Melissa von Rohr, and now Mark Gorman.
A neighborhood resident is always the chair,.
The security committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the SDCC office, 6008 Kingsbury.
These meetings are open to all residents and many attend when there is a pending matter involving their particular part of the neighborhood.
Also in attendance is Officer Steve Ortbals, the beat cop for our neighborhood.
He is joined by Lt. Jim Roth of the Washington University police, a representative of the Circuit Attorney’s office, and at times members of METRO’s security force.
The Neighborhood Stabilization Officers for both the 26th and 28th wards attend regularly and are often joined by the 28th ward alderman.
The committee reviews crime that has occurred over the past month and everyone receives a printout. That shows where calls for service took place.
The chair or a law enforcement representative can discuss individual cases in greater depth and answer neighbors’ concerns.
The circuit attorney’s office provides a list of those apprehended for neighborhood crimes and shows when trial will occur or another outcome.
According to current chair, Mark Gorman, the committee serves as a link between police, council, and community. Too often we hear rumors about recent events; committee meetings help everyone to understand what happened and who was involved.
The meetings also add to the continuing cooperation between the St. Louis Metropolitan Police and other law enforcement entities.
Residents who have witnessed transgressions or have heard about certain happenings are welcome to attend and secure more information.
As Officer Ortbals told me, our most frequent crimes are larceny to cars and an occasional burglary.
We are basically a very safe neighborhood. Everyone agrees that if you witness possible illegal behavior, call 911 right away.
Some people report things on the list serve Next Door. That informs some neighbors but it is a 911 call that gets the matter immediate attention and enters the problem on the list of service calls. Liz Pund, interim director of the SDCC, also is a valuable liaison with the police and Washington University.
She may be reached at 862-5122.
Original photograph caption
Security Committee meeting.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2014.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2014_02.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
