#RevitalizeDIP Meeting was a Success!
Yvette Young wrote the following article in the #RevitalizeDIP group Wednesday 7/11/2018:
“#RevitalizeDIP.…Good afternoon members. We are currently 1034 members strong. Welcome to all the new members and please keep spreading the word.
I had a very successful meeting with The Peninsula of Mobile on yesterday.
Our group, along with the Peninsula of Mobile, and The Riverside Community Action Group (RCAG) all have the same goal and that is to improve the quality of life on DIP and create a safe, wholesome community.
Last night the volunteers for the rally team, met one another and had a very good conversation regarding the multiple issues affecting our community. Additionally, Councilman CJ Small attended the meeting.
We discussed briefly how and why the group was formed and how in such a short amount of time it has taken off. As such, it is obvious the desire, passion and need is apparent to improve DIP.
One of the primary points the team as a whole agreed upon is the state of the community is two fold, 1) Neglect by the City of Mobile and 2) Lack of involvement by the community.
We as residents of the community have a duty and responsibility, if we want a safe wholesome community. We have to be involved, make phone calls, send emails, attend meetings and vote, bottomline the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Councilman Small polled the team to determine how many members were in attendance to the last District 3 meetings in addition to the RCAG meetings, as suspected the attendance was low.
The good news is the rally team has been formed and leads have been assigned for the majority of the details. The team currently consists of 12 people who may be reaching out to each of you to assist them in their assignment.
If you are able and have the skill, please assist them should they ask for your assistance. There will be additional duties and responsibilities that will surface as we get further into the planning.
It was agreed the rally team will meet again the week of August 12th in preparation for the District 3 meeting scheduled for August 20th. Your #RevitalizeDIP Rally Planning Team consists of the following members:
Marcus Agostigno, Frank Bolton, Eric Bryant, Richard Caine, Sue Caine, Peter Dais, Janet Dyess, Jackie Gibbs, Rymona Hayes, Tim Williams, Tommie Young and Yvette Young.
Additionally, Councilman Small offered his assistance and knowledge regarding event planning in Mobile, specifically as it pertains to locations, security and permits.
Going forward the team will be working behind the scene and we will provide updates as we reach milestones.
At the conclusion of the team meeting, I attended the RCAG meeting honoring first responders. It was very well attended and I had the opportunity to meet several additional DIP residents, where I promptly told them about the group. They were very interested and some have joined the group, since last night.
Lastly, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Chief of Police Battiste who is very supportive of our group and our objectives. As you can imagine his department’s primary problem is both human and financial resources.
The lack of resources for the police department is paramount to revitalizing DIP, and certainly is a priority for our group regarding our message to the Mayor’s office.
I’m for development, commerce, growth, parks, recreation, etc.,; however, we have to address crime and safety related matters also. If you see something, say something.
I’m currently drafting a post to be published on Friday 7/13/18, designed to send a loud and resounding message to the Mayor’s office.
Community organizing requires the involvement of the community, please join us in this uphill battle… #RevitalizeDIP.”
MISSION GOALS:
The following list of short-term goals worth sharing is from the newly formed community group #RevitalizeDIP:
1. Suspicious activity – If you have reason to believe criminal activity is taking place in your neighborhood, please report this activity to the Mobile Police Department (MPD). Take a moment to observe the vehicle(s), individual(s), race, age and gender. If you see something, say something.
2. Litter – Please be diligent of how you dispose of your trash, to include food wrappings, cups/bottles, heavy trash etc. Ensure to dispose of your trash (to include heavy trash) as dictated by the City of Mobile. Litter is a significant factor in the decline of property. Please lead by example by placing your trash in a trash receptacle.
3. Landscape/Yards – We are in the heart of growing season for grass, shrubs, flowers, etc. Ensure to maintain your property by mowing your lawns, pulling weeds and keeping your shrubs trimmed back. If you have an elderly person in your community that needs assistance, offer to assist them, even if it’s a couple of hours a month. As a community we have to support and assist our seniors, as they often need help and will not ask.
4. DIP Rally/Event – With the huge turnout for the meeting with MPD, we have to continue with this momentum. Several of you have reached out via messenger offering your assistance; however, this is a huge undertaking. It will require sponsors/donors, speakers, advertising, media, food, a location, audio/video, etc. My initial thought is Fall 2018, after the heat from the summer has passed. Please respond to the poll I posted last week, regardless of what your role may be, attendance, work or plan….YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU.
5. Recruit more members – Each of us knows someone that lives on DIP and/or has family, attended school or friends. Please continue to spread the word and recruit people to this group. Please reach out to the millennials and encourage them to join. We are stronger together than apart.
6. Dial 311 – 311 is for any/all non emergency problems. If you have a problem in your neighborhood with litter, trees, abandoned cars, dilapidated homes, please call 311 and be sure to get a service request order (SRO) number. You must have the SRO number if you need to call back regarding the same issue. This may take some patience but we have to be diligent in our efforts in order to see change. The city also has an electronic 311 service as well. Go to 311.cityofmobile.org to submit an issue electronically.
7. Attend Meetings – Ensure to attend District 3 meetings hosted by Councilman Small. Councilman Small sends mailings to each household in District 3 advising the time, date and location for meetings. These meetings allow you the opportunity to be briefed on the state of the district, upcoming plans for the district and more importantly gives you a platform to engage with Councilman Small directly. These meetings are also attended by Mayor Stimpson, Public Safety Director James Barber and Chief of Police Battiste. Your attendance and involvement is critical in decisions made by the city.
8. Vote – Any/all elections. If you are disabled, elderly or do not have proper transportation you may vote by absentee ballot. The state of the district depends on every vote.
9. Join Nextdoor – Nextdoor.com is primarily an electronic version of Neighborhood Watch and allows you to receive and make posts on suspicious activity in your neighborhood for crime & safety, lost and found, events, for sale, real estate and other miscellaneous topics. The City of Mobile regularly post on this site.
10. Landlords – If you own rental property in the area and have tenants that are contriubuting to any of the above issues (especially criminal activity), please hold your tenants responsible for their actions. Additionally, consider incorporating a clause in your lease regarding upkeep of the property, criminal activity, disposing litter, etc.
11. Support events sponsored by The Peninsula of Mobile, Director Debi Foster.
12. Support events/meetings sponsored by the Riverside Community Action Group, led by Betty Fowler.
When you drive through various neighborhoods, communities and districts in the area that are well kept, clean, developed and safe. Those communities are safe, clean, etc., because the owners/residents are actively involved (make complaints, attend meetings, etc.) with their community and the City of Mobile. #RevitalizeDIP
Today’s DIP Flower photo complements of Greg Vrachalus.
