SAFE & SECURE COMMUNITY

---

---

The Bay Area is nationally known as a safe community. Through innovative programs, community policing and civilian support, our streets, schools and neighborhoods are secure. Appropriate consequences and rehabilitation are implemented quickly and the cost of crime is very low. Young people have a strong sense of belonging and crime is one of the lowest in the country. All citizens, especially parents are held accountable and are actively involved in prevention and control. Our community, with a thriving economy, is a safe and desirable place to live.

This vision can be achieved by empowering neighborhood associations, promoting and intervention strategies, developing active partnerships between government and citizens and offering positive opportunities for youth.

Numerous committees and organizations in the past have generated reports and recommendations with essentially the same goals and visions that were developed through the Vision 2000 process. Of these reports, the T-CAP recommendations are closely aligned with the goals entrusted upon the Vision 2000 stakeholders. The Vision 2000 recommendation is to implement the T-CAP goals in its entirety.

Some of the recommended actions:

Enhance and expand the City-Wide Council of Neighborhood Associations. These associations should include residents of all ages, organized to implement strategies for solutions for problems specific to each neighborhood.

Support the Corpus Christi Commission on Children, Youth and Families. This commission "supports a comprehensive system of services and advances policies to meet the needs of the city's children, youth and their families." This group should be supported in efforts to evaluate family issues, target and obtain funds and work closely with the community.

Continue & expand efforts of the "Weed and Seed" program to additional areas of community. This comprehensive effort combats violent crime, drug use and gang activity in high-crime neighborhoods. Coordinated efforts by Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies target and "weed out" the most violent offenders. This multi-agency effort "seeds back" to the community, prevention, intervention and treatment programs.

Use existing facilities and programs to occupy youth during non-structured time. Facilities such as schools, city buildings and places of worship can be utilized for youth-only activities during the summer, in the evenings, on weekends and during non-structured time.

Promote enhanced crime prevention services emphasizing home and personal safety. Service agencies should educate the public about all available services. This information can be distributed through brochures and flyers, public service announcements, report card jackets, the phone book, etc.

Locate police store-fronts in targeted neighborhoods. Store front locations for law enforcement officers would establish a positive presence in neighborhoods, bringing the police and the people closer together. Ultimately, this leads to better utilization of public safety services such as bike patrols, operation identification and the neighbors on watch concept.

The Neighborhood Association Council will be the umbrella organization to oversee that these recommendations are implemented. The council should be fully organized prior to its acceptance of this responsibility.