August Mtg Notes

Hi Lake Neighbors!

MAN, it has been a while since I have written one of these – it’s been way too busy and I think a lot of us are just taking care of everything in our lives and keeping connected as much as we can and it is tough to put the new things into action, but let’s get re-motivated or more motivated and keep things going in this great direction. Since last communicated we have had a few meetings, National Night Out, an outdoor movie…what am I forgetting? If you want to host or organize something…connect with Betsy and Skye and they can help make it happen.

NEXT MEETINGS: Tuesday 8/17, Sunday 9/5, Tuesday 9/28, Sunday 10/17, Tuesday 11/9 & Sunday 11/28. All meetings begin at 6:30pm and end at 7:30pm. Locations TBA, just wanted you to be able to mark your calendars.

Walgreens is re-opening in September. They have let us know that they are ready to get connected up with us and will attend some of our meetings and pull together regarding safety and also about keeping us able to use the extra unused land they have for a community garden. Since the access is very limited now with the remodel, we may just have the residents who share a fence with them manage it? Not sure how to handle that, but we will certainly find good solutions. We can brainstorm on things that we can grow there that don’t need to be cooked so it can support our neighbors without roofs. The other thing we were thinking about was seeing if we could have chickens there? Anyway…lots to talk about with that.

The last meetings had some subjects come up, I will bullet point them:

· Add to the website: businesses that neighbors offer/ads

· Starting a farmers market in the Regen Parking lot (on E. 15th St.& 3rd Ave.) for the overflow of local farmers who could not get a booth in the Lake Merritt Farmers market on Saturdays – maybe on a weeknight?

· We may look at adding twitter as a way of communicating, Nico will write up a concise, simple how-to. This would not be a replacement of what we do, but an addition for those interested. We already have email, phones, walkie talkies…

· We lost 80 OPD (which is why we also lost our PSO’s because they went back into patrol). Patrol is prioritized, so cuts were more in the investigations departments, etc. and there is a big threat of an additional 120 being cut now, too. We need to see where this stands now – and if it is still imminent we must get super activated.

· We need ways to connect with the Asian community here and it was specifically noted that we need ways of connecting with Chinese and Vietnamese speaking neighbors. We have several Spanish speaking neighbors involved and active. Next is to find out what their concerns and wishes and ideas are and make sure we all work to make things go the way we all envision and wish for.

· EVERYONE assigned to a project, please email me your updates if you are not able to attend meetings so we can keep things moving along…

· Capt. Figueroa of OPD wrote area 2 a letter which we read aloud…mostly about being vigilant, calling in…also about using surveillance equipment and also that he is attending community meetings as much as possible so we will hopefully be seeing him at one of our meetings. He recommended a link to check out (www.oaklandnet.com/government/o/OPD/o/pPatrolDivision/DOWD005615) but I could not get his exact given link to work. Oaklandnet does work, though, so you can start there?

· OPD wants license plates and basic model of vehicles when you are reporting crimes, also, strangely – shoes are the most distinctive article of clothing people wear, so note details about the shoes.

· Outdoor movies will be the last Saturday of the month thru September (we have 8/28 and 9/25 left)

· The subject of problem liquor stores came up again, and some discussion around this and addressing underage drinking, etc. Andy emailed me with this right after the meeting:

“ Here is the phone # to report problem liquor stores, stores that sell to underage people. Stores that allow drug dealing on their property. Stores that drag the neighborhood down. Stores that are the OPPOSITE of Sybil's. Stores like Jax.Sometimes, you leave a message, sometimes a person answers. When you call, state your complaints, give the adress (502 Foothill 94606). Complaints can be anonymous.All complaints are investigated, & the more complaints they hear, the more they want to deal with them so that they do not have to hear more complaints.Jax is on the razor's edge. One more underage violation & the place loses its license, & Oakland rezones the building no alcohol for all eternity.” (the ph# is missing! I will forward it out when I get it from him).

Okay, that is it for now. Thank you for reading…write back thoughts and responses and ideas if you can’t make the meetings…but try to make the meetings!



Sasha