Hi Folks,
Asking for help makes for
a very safe neighborhood
When
I moved into the Miles Neighborhood at the start of 2003, there were a lot of
homeless living in the wash and traipsing the neighborhood daily. Not a secure
situation but we all just lived with it.
About
a year after I founded One Can A Week in 2009, Bill Richards, the then
president of the Miles Neighborhood Association, introduced me to Maen Mdanat,
the new owner of the Axis Food Mart one Sunday afternoon. We hit it off right
from the beginning because he was incredibly sincere.
In
the next few months we had lots of conversations and I got an idea. I asked
Maen if he could help me clean up the neighborhood and get rid of the problem
customers, those that slept and drank in the alley; the panhandlers, too.
On
my side of the bargain, I helped Maen put in a scanner and increase the number
of women customers by about 90%. In those early days, few women came to the
store because there was always a chance of harassment. I may have brought up
the subject, but Maen solved the problem with his charming personality and
scores of verbal and physical smack downs.
On
my side of the bargain, I helped Maen put in a scanner and increase the number
of women customers by about 90%. In those early days, few women came to the
store because there was always a chance of harassment. I may have brought up
the subject, but Maen solved the problem with his charming personality and
scores of verbal and physical smack downs.
Next,
I learned about the Environmental Services’ roll-off program—not sure how,
though—and since there was no Miles Neighborhood Association president at the
time—I got 10 neighbor signatures and we were good to go.
As
days passed, I fixed the potholes a number of times, worked with Vice Mayor and
Ward 5 Council Member Richard Fimbres to help get the attention of folks at Tucson
Department of Transportation and Environmental Services. There was always a
backlog of some sort, but he and Mark Kerr, his Chief of Staff, were able to
move Miles to the head of the line.
Recently, I met Pat Tapia, Deputy Director,
Environmental and General Services Department, and the word “clean-up” became a
key element in the safety of the Miles Neighborhood. Both Environmental
Services and the Tucson Police Department
make it known that “A clean neighborhood is a safe neighborhood,” and they are
doing everything in their power to help.
You
may have noticed lately that piles of trash such as mattresses, tires,
furniture, etc. disappear quickly. That is Pat’s doing. When I see piles
anywhere in Miles, I take a photo and send Pat an email explaining the
situation. Within 24-48 hours his team picks it up. By the way, the mattress
and small dresser on S. Martin will be disappeared by Wednesday.
Right
now, with Pat’s help, we have cleaned up alleys for Josie and Lee and those
alleys are staying that way. Folks even stop my weed whacking to thank me.
On
May 31st, I published a 13-page guide explaining how one person who
really loves his or her neighborhood can make things very clean and safe. You
just have to talk to folks and ask for help.
For a copy of the guide, please email pnorback@cox.net. I am hoping you have
friends in another neighborhood who may want to make a big change, too. So,
just pass it forward. And thanks.
This
week we donated 18.7 lbs. of pet food and $61.20 in cash and two checks.
See
you Sunday,
Peter
