Minutes 11/21/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1991 Apartments asking residents of Rivermont not to throw old mattresses, e~c. in the dumpsters--this is not being done by the residents, but other people are dumping in their area. William Edwards, Jr., 703 Second Street, stated that the greatest need in West Martinsville is for recreational facilities where the youth can go and feel safe. He noted that years ago facilities (ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, gym) that could be used by the youth were developed at Albert Harris, but the upkeep had been abandoned. He stated that it is a tragedy to have invested in these improvements and then close them. Albert Harris School serves as a "hub" for the children in the community, therefore, these facilities should be upgraded and utilized with supervision and some administration looking over them. This should be done now, not in the future. He also complained that motorists are stopping in the streets, blocking the flow of traffic, to carry on conversations with others and that the police do not do anything about it, even when they are behind the ones blocking traffic. William. D. Hobson, 1013 West Fayette Street, asked if two policemen had be' added to the force, to which Chief of Police Terry Roop responded "yes". Mr. Hobson further inquired as to the number of police cars on each shift. Chief Roop responded that there were generally five cars' on the streets on each shift. The City is divided into four zones, with one patrol officer in each zone, except the West End has at least two cars in the area from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight. Chief Roop noted that studies have shown that the number Of calls for service are evenly distributed throughout any 24-hour"period. Mr. Hobson also expressed concern about the length of response time of police when called, stating that it is usually. 10-15 minutes before they arrive.