Averill Woods Neighborhood Association

www.AverillWoods.Org

April 24, 2010

Lansing City Council

124 W. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48922

RE: Proposed City Budget for Fiscal Year 2011

Dear Lansing City Council Members:

I am writing on behalf of the Averill Woods Neighborhood Association (AWNA) to express our
official response to the FY11 budget. AWNA is home to over 900 households. We have a high
rate of educated, skilled, and professional workers in our ethnically diverse neighborhood.

About half our residents grew up here and about half came to Lansing for jobs or to attend MSU
or LCC and subsequently stayed here1. In this census tract 12% of residents have a Masters
degree or higher and 70% have some college experience2. Our residents are actively invested in
the neighborhood and city.

We are thankful for the efforts and support of Lansing Police, Code Compliance, Parks and
Recreation and know they are doing the best they can with their limited resources. All of these
services are critical to crime prevention and protecting the quality of life for residents.

As neighbors, we already willingly provide a significant amount of volunteer hours in citizen

patrols and park and woods maintenance activities to supplement reduced city services.

However, we fear these departments are already strained in their ability to support our
volunteer efforts let alone provide adequate levels of service with additional reductions in staff
and consolidation of departments. We cannot replace their skill sets and expertise, nor can we
continue to do this volunteer work without sufficient staff time and response from various city
departments (whose staff already volunteer their own time to see that city services are provided.)

Given reduced revenues, the current economic climate, and recent crime micro-trends, our
budget concerns are prioritized around those that maintain our quality of life, promote crime
prevention through environmental design3, and facilitate institutional accountability and
integrity.

Respectfully submitted,

Melissa S. Quon Huber, Ph.D., President on behalf of AWNA leadership and members

1
Neighborhood survey completed in summer 2009
2
U.S. Census Bureau 2000
3
Gottfredson & Taylor (1986) Environmental design crime and prevention an examination of community dynamics.
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 2

A. Institutional Integrity and Accountability in Budgeting

Transparency with online checkbook

1. We would like to see additional transparency in the budget and accounting process.

2. We are specifically requesting to have the “city checkbook” available to the public online as
Grand Rapids has done4 but with more detailed descriptions about the nature and purpose of
the goods and services purchased.

Honesty about impact on levels of service

1. We understand the difficult economic times make it impossible to deliver services in the
same manner as in previous years. Creative restructuring may reduce the impact of decreased
revenues on service.

2. However, we believe it is disingenuous to imply that the loss of city staff and their expertise
(through retirement, unfilled or unfunded positions, layoffs) will not impact service.

3. Rather, we need to openly acknowledge the important contributions being lost in these cuts,
not only to make citizens aware of potential sacrifices we must make together, but also for
the morale of the existing city workforce on whom we rely for services and who might
already feel indispensable.

B. Police Department
Keep police officers on the street at least at current levels

1. Keeping police staffing is our number one budget priority. We fear that additional cuts to
police staffing would further degrade the ability of police to respond to and prevent crime.

2. As neighbors we have stepped up our citizen patrols of the neighborhood, however, it is

ineffective when we cannot get timely police response to address the issues and problems
due to limited staff. Likely it is equally frustrating for LPD officers not to be able to attend to
these “smaller” problems to prevent them from becoming bigger issues. Neighbors stop
reporting incidents as their expectations for service go unmet, creating more obstacles for our
citizen patrols and neighborhood watch groups to monitor problematic activities.

4
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/grand_rapids_opens_up_city_che.html
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 3

Recognize current reported police staffing numbers appear inflated

and insufficient at the neighborhood level

1. Police staffing numbers in current budget appear inflated. The current budget indicates that
we presently have more staff hours than prior to the change to 12 hour shifts5 which
contradicts our experience and reports of a reduction of police on patrol.

2. This is an inaccurate portrayal of existing staffing, at least as manifested in the

neighborhoods. At present we have only one officer assigned to our team area between 6
p.m. and 6 a.m. and this appears insufficient.

3. We believe current staffing is already insufficient to maintain our quality of life. Officers
report current staffing levels are forcing them to “triage” crime responses to priority 1 at the
expense of priority 2 and 3 calls and the prevention work they know is effective but do not
have time to conduct.

4. Crime volume appears to be increasing. Although overall yearly crime trends are down6, as
early as February 2010 we were informed that LPD had a higher call volume than normal and
that it was already difficult to adequately address crime during the “quiet months” with
current staffing. Even before the cluster of homicides, neighbors were gravely concerned
about police response times to anticipated crime uptakes in the warmer weather.

5. Crime prevention has been hindered. We have seen reductions in the number of hours LPD
has to do community problem solving, neighborhood watch programs, and routine patrols.

6. Crime reporting may be hindered due to slow or lack of response from limited staffing.
Neighbors report lack of police response to parties, fights and other “nuisance” types of calls
to LPD. Responses have been characterized as untimely and/or lacking enforcement (e.g.
didn’t break up the party, just drove by and didn’t do anything, didn’t get out of the car, etc.),
likely due to competing priorities for the officers’ time. Residents have begun to feel helpless
and “stupid” for calling LPD when they see limited action in response to their calls.

7. Rotating officers leaves gaps in knowledge of community. We no longer have “community

police officers” or officers who primarily serve the same areas. With the rotation of officers
between team areas due to limited staffing we have lost relationships, consistency and
knowledge of the people and history of problem areas in our neighborhood.

8. Crime communications with community are already hindered. LPD is severely limited in
its staffing capacity to keep citizens informed in a timely and thorough way through
Nixle.com, including during recent lock downs and murders. Our understanding is that there

5
“The primary expectation is that this budget will provide for the deployment of between 14 and 16 patrol officers
24 hours per day at a minimum. This is the level traditionally provided to the citizens of Lansing. With cooperation
of employees and the FOP, a 12 hour shift has been implemented, and initial experience indicates that deployment
of officers is now at between 18 and 20 24 hours per day.” (page 68, FY11 Budget Book)
6
http://www.lansingmi.gov/Lansing/police/docs/Lansing_Police__2008_Annual_Report
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 4

are only limited staff hours available to provide this service, particularly for crime incidents
occurring after daytime business hours. Neighbors were outraged to learn Nixle.com had
not been enacted to inform them immediately following the murders for their own safety
and to be on the lookout. Though Chief Syzmanski contacted us immediately the next
morning and Captain Yankowski has also stayed in close contact with our neighborhood
since the events.

Seek coordinated technology investments to maximize use of

address-level data for greater efficiencies

1. We encourage the continued use of improved technology to reduce the paperwork burden
on officers and increase time on patrols.

2. We further encourage the development of coordinated databases to allow data sharing

between departments (code compliance, police department) for increased automated
monitoring and enforcement of nuisance properties.

3. We encourage increased data collection, analysis, and sharing regarding crime and calls for
service (location, time, nature of event, status of case) and increased analysis of spatial data
(e.g. to show where suspects are from to track flow of crime actors) to be shared with
neighborhood watch participants.

Expedite consolidation of police facilities, noting citizen sacrifices

1. Given the urgency for funds to retain police patrols we encourage the expedition of plans to
study consolidation of police facilities in multi-phase implementation7 with cost savings
designated for police staffing.

2. We appreciate the attention to conversations with the community to fill in the gaps in
community services left by the loss of such buildings. Presently the South Precinct
Community Center provides a unique service not found elsewhere to a large number of
residents and parent groups in a way not found anywhere else. Gym rental is free for
residents, unlike any facilities in the parks and recreation system. The gym is frequently
reserved for parent groups including those run by non-profit groups for much needed winter-
time play space including the use of tricycles, roller skates, etc. that is not allowed in other
local facilities. With parks closed during the winter season this is one of the few places for
children to play.

7
“Precinct Consolidation Study. While the introduction of North and South Precincts in the 90’s has been popular
with area communities, it is now deemed necessary to consider cost effectiveness, particularly in light of economic
conditions and the ongoing lease payments for the facilities. This study is multi-phased and is aimed to be inclusive
of all police functions and community needs. Its results will provide useful information from which police facility
decisions can be made.” (page 69, FY11 Budget Book)
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 5

C. Parks and Recreation

Recognize importance of Parks and Recreation Department for
neighborhood safety and crime prevention

We have learned that the Parks and Recreation and Forestry Department plays a critical role in
crime prevention. They are integral to implementing the key principles of crime prevention
through environmental design [see appendix]. With that in mind we make these
recommendations:

Maintain Parks and Recreation Professional Staffing – Volunteers are

not enough and cannot supplant the work of professionals

1. We are willing to do the work. Like other neighborhood and “friends of parks groups” we
put a considerable amount of time into developing and maintaining our park woods and
trails. This includes tasks such as these:

a. Clearing trails
b. Laying wood chips
c. Removing graffiti from parks
d. Improving lighting for safety and crime prevention
e. Picking up trash
f. Monitoring playground equipment for damage
g. Trimming brush to improve sightlines
h. Removing invasive species
i. Other tasks that were long ago done by parks and recreation and a forestry department
that no longer exists.

2. More people want to help. We are also seeing an increase in neighborhood groups wanting to
maintain and develop their parks, many of which have been somewhat neglected over the
years due to funding decreases.

3. Parks and Recreation and Forestry department and staff are supportive of citizen efforts.
We appreciate the sincere efforts of Parks and Recreation to provide supplies, materials, and
assistance to our neighborhood and friends of parks groups.

4. We are already utilizing resources from MSU, master gardeners, and other knowledgeable
volunteers. But it is not sufficient.

5. Citizen maintenance efforts require significant amounts of time, specialized talent, and
equipment of Parks and Recreation and Forestry staff:

a. to inspect woods for safety prior to citizen projects

b. to identify and remove hazards from the woods prior to citizen projects
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 6

c. to identify and cut down dangerous trees

d. to use specialized machinery for the shredding, loading, and hauling of wood chips
e. to deliver large wheel barrows, tools, and gloves for citizen projects
f. to provide safety training for the use of tools and removal of trees
g. to provide training in identifying and selecting species to be retained and to be
removed in compliance with forestry management techniques
h. to arrange for the hauling of trash and plant materials removed from the woods

6. This volunteer model is not entirely sustainable. Our understanding is that current Parks
and Recreation and Forestry staffing can only sustain a very small number (e.g. 1-3) of
citizen-based projects per year. With the reduction to 36 hour work weeks we expect this
number will decrease. Any reductions in staff would further strain their ability to respond
to increasing requests from neighborhood seeking to do their own maintenance.

7. Parks and Recreation and Forestry staff are already strained in trying to manage their
workload despite their tremendous efforts. Here are just a few critical examples:

a. We are aware of Parks and Recreation and Forestry staff members who already
volunteer their time to make sure critical tasks are done and that citizens are
supported.
b. There are still large amounts of ash trees around the city that need removal and could
present a safety hazard to the public at some point.
c. Tree trimming around street lights is no longer scheduled and maintenance occurs
on as needed “crisis” basis such as after the homicide occurred in our neighborhood
on a dark street where trees were blocking the lights.
d. Parks and Recreation took care of this immediately after citizens reported the
problem. But residents wonder if the drug dealers would have chosen somewhere
else for the murder had this street been well lit.

Retain authority for grounds crew with Parks and Recreation

Department for purposes of safety and crime prevention

1. We do not want any barriers toward the immediate decision-making and deployment of
Parks and Recreation staff to address safety and crime prevention in our neighborhoods

2. While certain grounds management activities may be scheduled in advance, there are also a
number of “unscheduled” needs for immediate attention.

3. For safety reasons we do not want Parks and Recreation and Forestry to have another
layer of coordination in determining how and when to respond to critical issues such as
these:

a. Playground equipment identified by citizens as needing repair or presenting safety

hazard
b. Unusually high grass making a park a park appear unkempt and inviting to crime
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 7

c. Unsafe levels of mulch on a playground

d. Dead, dangling, or otherwise dangerous trees in our woods, especially after a storm
e. Tree blocking sight line around lighting making streets unsafe
f. Disbursement of tools and materials for community work days to keep parks
attractive and unappealing for crime
g. Overflowing trash containers after high volume usage days in the park

4. If consolidation of grounds crew occurs, we encourage all responsibility and authority for
parks staff to be housed in Parks and Recreation at least during the non-snow months of
the year.

Maintain and enhance existing parks before building new amenities

Our neighbors are incredibly appreciative of the local parks system and support its development.
However, in the current economic climate we are concerned that existing facilities and parks
are becoming dilapidated and abandoned. Simultaneously we continue to expand the park
system, further straining our ability to take care of what we have and adding to our maintenance
obligations. Toward those ends we encourage the city to do the following:

Prioritize maintenance and enhancements of neighborhood parks

with crime prevention in mind

1. Maintain and develop trails, equipment, and playgrounds of existing parks in neighborhoods
equitably across the city.

2. Work with neighborhood groups to develop an appropriate lighting plan for neighborhood
parks to help offset loss of additional police patrols of these areas that can be problematic.

Keep Washington Ice Skate rink open as a vibrant gathering center in

our neighborhood and community

1. The neighborhood based skate rink is slated to close due to lack of team activity and stated
alternatives.8

2. Alternative sites for ice skating exist far outside the city and primarily service higher cost
“team based” activities. They are not designed to serve a recreational clientele in the way in
which this facility does.

8
“Over the past several years, there have been other sites developed in the area for ice skating. One impact on
the Washington Park Ice Rink has been a loss of team rentals, significantly increasing City costs. In light of
decreased use and increased costs, this facility will not be open” (page 95, FY11 Budget Book)
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 8

3. Neighborhood parks are critical components in our sense of place and connection. In a
walkable / bikable city the amenities like the skate rinks are accessible in the neighborhoods,
not in mega-structures outside of the city.

4. Washing Skate Rink is one of the few local community amenities in the winter. The skate
rink serves a need for our youth and families to have locations to be physically active in the
winter, particularly since the other city parks are closed in the winter. This facility
contributes to the healthy lifestyles we want our citizens to adopt.

5. Washing Skate Rink provides restroom facilities (upon request) for the use of Washington
Park which is the city’s most uniquely accessible park for three age groups, including infants
and toddlers. This availability of restrooms is critical for use by these age groups which
includes pregnant mothers, young children, and those of “potty-training” age.

6. An unused facility in a neighborhood can easily become a sign of “disinvestment” and can
contribute to neighborhood blight.

7. We encourage examination of reuse and marketing for this facility given:

a. the shortage of winter-based recreational activities in the city
b. the availability of restroom facilities for the use of Washington Park
c. the importance of this facility to the neighborhood image

Do not allow closed facilities to become part of neighborhood blight

1. Neighborhood-based park facilities are slated to close9 and could have negative impacts on
the surrounding neighborhood.

2. These buildings appear to already have deferred maintenance which could hasten their
contribution to neighborhood blight and disinvestment which precede increased crime.

3. We encourage the city to work with relevant neighborhood groups to determine next steps
to prevent these facilities from contributing to neighborhood decline.

9
“Scott House – This facility is in need of repair, and has relatively little use. In light of little use and long term
costs, this facility will be closed. Parks staff will work with those who currently use the building to find
alternative space, perhaps at some of the City’s community centers. (page 95, FY11 Budget Book)”

“Miller Road Senior Center - Senior activities at this center will be transferred to the South Side Community
Center, and the building will be closed.” (page 95, FY11 Budget Book)”
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 9

APPENDIX

The importance of Parks and Recreation Department to neighborhood

safety and crime prevention

Along with the Police Department and Code Compliance, Parks and Recreation and Forestry
Department plays a critical role in crime prevention. They are integral to implementing the four
key principles of crime prevention through environmental design:

1. Maintenance of our neighborhood image through our parks

“This is related to the neighbourhood’s sense of ‘pride of place’ and territorial

reinforcement. The more dilapidated an area, the more likely it is to attract unwanted
activities. The maintenance and the ‘image’ of an area can have a major impact on
whether it will become targeted. Another extension of the concept is that territorial
concern, social cohesion and a general sense of security can be reinforced through the
development of the identity and image of a community. This approach can improve not
only the image of the population has of itself, and its domain, but also the projection of
that image to others. With clear spatial definitions such as the subdivision of space into
different degrees of public/semi-public/ private areas and the raising of standards and
expectations, the level of social estrangement would decline. This is known to be related
to reduction in opportunities for aberrant or criminal behaviour, such as vandalism.” 10

2. Promotion of natural surveillance by keeping trees trimmed to

improve sight lines, keep street lights unobstructed, and to promote
the use of the public area for positive community recreation

“The fundamental premise is that criminals do not wish to be observed. Surveillance or

the placing of legitimate ‘eyes on the street’ increases the perceived risk to offenders.
This may also increase the actual risk to offenders if those observing are willing to act
when potentially threatening situations develop. So the primary aim of surveillance is not
to keep intruders out (although it may have that effect) but rather, to keep intruders under
observation. Natural surveillance can be achieved by a number of techniques. The flow of
activities can be channeled to put more people (observers) near a potential crime area.
Windows, lighting and the removal of obstructions can be placed to improve sight lines
from within buildings.” 11

3. Promotion of natural access control by creating trails in our woods

that are clearly delineated, maintained, and within view of monitoring.

10
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Guidebook by the National Crime Prevention Council
[available at http://www.ncpc.gov.sg/pdf/CPTED%20Guidebook.pdf]
11
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Guidebook by the National Crime Prevention Council
[available at http://www.ncpc.gov.sg/pdf/CPTED%20Guidebook.pdf]
Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Response to Proposed FY11 Budget Page 10

“Natural access control relies on doors, fences, shrubs, and other physical elements to
keep unauthorised persons out of a particular place if they do not have a legitimate reason
for being there….Properly located entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping and lighting can
subtly direct both foot and vehicular traffic in ways that decreases criminal
opportunities.” 12

4. Enhancing territorial reinforcement to “keep neighbors in the park”

and “criminals out.”

“People naturally protect a territory that they feel is their own, and have a certain respect
for the territory of others. Clear boundaries between public and private areas achieved by
using physical elements such as fences, pavement treatment, art, signs, good maintenance
and landscaping are ways to express ownership. Identifying intruders is much easier in
such well defined spaces. Territorial reinforcement can be seen to work when a space, by
its clear legibility, transparency, and directness, discourages potential offenders because
of users’ familiarity with each other and the surroundings.” 13

12
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Guidebook by the National Crime Prevention Council
[available at http://www.ncpc.gov.sg/pdf/CPTED%20Guidebook.pdf]
13
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Guidebook by the National Crime Prevention Council
[available at http://www.ncpc.gov.sg/pdf/CPTED%20Guidebook.pdf]