Rail Noise and Senator Franken

District 1 staff and residents met with Senator Al Franken's staff this week to discuss the on-going problem neighbors have with CPRail noise - in particular, the squealing of the braking system that is used as railcars are shifted from one engine to another.

For several years we have been trying to work with the railroad to address this very particular problem - one that they were willing to help with in the 1990s, but which has returned with a vengeance. Despite the railroad's promise that they would arrange a site visit so that a few of us could view operations and try to figure out what has changed in the past 4-5 years, nothing has been happening and the noise is still there.

Franken's staff has committed to researching the regulations that govern the noise levels at the railroad. We feel that they are outdated and cannot address the kind of high-pitched, intermittent, short duration bursts of sound. And the staff will look into this...

We will keep you updated as we hear what the Senator's staff finds out...

Build Community and Get Ready for WINTER!

I know for some it is hard to think that soon there will be snow falling but here’s an idea to help make worthwhile use of the winter months!

Are you a resident who would like to help form a community group to volunteer to shovel sidewalks at vacant homes in your neighborhood?  Not only would this help to build a strong neighborhood by getting to know your neighbors, it would also help to prevent potential crimes in the neighborhood by making it appear as if the vacant properties are not sitting empty waiting to be vandalized. Also, a well kept property may just attract new neighbors to fill those vacant properties. Remember, being a good neighbor helps everyone and promotes, GOOD NEIGHBORS!

This is just a picture to remind you of what is coming...

Submitted by Pam McCreary, Crime Prevention Organizer

Building Good Neighborhoods

As we are heading into the holiday seasons I would like to suggest a possible neighborhood project.  This is not just for the blocks who have organized block clubs but for everyone! 

Just as the blog entry submitted by Store to Door would help home bound people; I would like to see neighbors also start on their own block or area.  Do you know of someone who could use a little help? Maybe they are having a hard time making ends meet financially, recovering from an illness, or not able to leave their home for other reasons.  Consider joining together to help these neighbors out.  It could be by providing a bag of groceries or holiday meal, helping to rake and collect leaves before the snow falls, or offering to keep their sidewalks free of snow and ice. 

Being a good neighbor helps everyone and promotes, GOOD NEIGHBORHOODS!

Submitted by Pam McCreary, D1 Crime Prevention Organizer

Citizen Police Academy

The Saint Paul Police Department is working to demystify the intense work that goes into successful investigations and solving crimes by throwing open its doors to the 2011 winter class of the department's Citizen Police Academy.

Seats are still open for this behind-the-scenes peek into the world of law enforcement. Beginning Dec. 28, 2011, up to 25 community members will gain first-hand experience on topics that include:

Police use of defensive tactics and firearm issues.

Patrol procedures.

Work with the department's canine unit and mounted patrol.

Forensic investigating.

Information about the evolution and history of the Saint Paul Police Department.

 The Citizen Police Academy gives residents and community members a better understanding of the array of situations in which officers can find themselves on any given day. Participants must commit one night each week for 11 weeks, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Participants will also have opportunities to discuss issues important to our community with SPPD representatives.

There is no cost to participants. The expectation is that they will take what they learn and help other community members understand the work of SPPD officers. Upon completion of the academy, participants are also eligible to serve on the Saint Paul Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission. To be considered for the academy, applicants must meet the following requirements or be designated by SPPD Chief Tom Smith:

Must be a resident of Saint Paul or be a business or property owner within the city limits.

Must be 21 year of age or older.

Must not have a criminal history.

For more information about the Citizens Academy or to apply, please contact CPA Coordinator Don Luna at 651-266-5583.

Submitted by St. Paul Police

Safety Advisory: Theft of Jewelry from Children

Saint Paul Police are investigating several theft reports where a woman took gold necklaces from children after the woman appeared to have befriended them and their parents. The incidents occurred at two area markets: Hmong Village, 1001 Johnson Parkway, and Hmong Market, 217 Como Avenue.

In several incidents the woman approached families with children and began a friendly conversation before offering to introduce the children to her own. Parents believed this offer to be true and allowed their children to walk away with the woman. She used that opportunity to take the children’s gold necklaces, and then left the area. There have been no reports that any children have been harmed.

Witnesses described the suspect as an Asian woman in her twenties who appears to be pregnant. She was seen driving a Toyota minivan with Wisconsin license plates. Anyone who has information about this case or similar incidents is asked to call 651-291-1111.

Submitted by SPPD

Store-to-Door Volunteer Opportunities

Store-to-Door is a nonprofit organization that provides grocery and prescription delivery services to the Twin Cities Metro area. Winter is their busiest season, increasing their client base by over 200 last year. They serve on average 1,300 clients per year, with their average client being a female aged 84 years.

Do you enjoy shopping? Walk with purpose, gain friends and help people stay independent. Please consider grocery shopping for the homebound elderly for 2-4 hours twice per month or on a weekly basis. Volunteer Shoppers work in partnership with five metro area Cub Food Stores to shop for clients' orders and prepare them for delivery. Store-to-Door paid staff deliver groceries directly to clients' homes. Volunteer Shoppers are needed at the St. Paul Midway Cub (T, W, Th, F), the Maplewood Cub Store (Th, F) and the Bloomington Cub Store (T, Th), with a minimum 3 month commitment.

Enjoy the telephone? Are you comfortable with computer on-line work? Please consider being a Volunteer Order Taker. Volunteers call two clients each week entering their order online into the S-t-D order database. Please consider this a one year commitment. This commitment helps you to know the client's grocery interests and provides stability. Each volunteer helps S-t_D serve an additional 4 clients (2 every other week). Online training module is available.

For more info contact Kristen Hoplin at 651.642.1892 or visit their website at www.storetodoor.org.

Submitted by Store to Door

Reporting Suspicious Activity

The police cannot function effectively without the assistance of responsible citizens. We need your help in reporting suspicious activity. Some people fail to call because they are not aware of what is considered suspicious. Others notice suspicious activity and assume someone else will call. Still, others fail to call because they feel it may not be important enough or they are bothering the police.

We encourage everyone to call police IMMEDIATELY if they feel a situation or a circumstance is suspicious. DO NOT think you are bothering the police; this is why we are here! DO NOT be embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. If police question someone who has legitimate reason to be where they are, they and the neighbors will be thankful that you are watching out for them and their property – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

IF IN DOUBT, CALL! It is better to err on the side of safety rather than regret having not called after an incident occurs.

The following is an example of incidents that should be reported to the police by dialing 911. This list is not intended to be complete. Use your judgment when calling the police.  Remember, if it seems suspicious, you should call.

ü    Person loitering in your neighborhood that you don’t recognize

ü    Persons loitering around cars, peering into them, or checking doors

ü    Alarms sounding or glass being broken

ü    Apparent “business transactions/drug deals” being conducted between people

ü    Someone going into a neighbor’s yard, looking into windows, checking doors of the house or garage

ü    Abandoned vehicle parked in your neighborhood

ü    Someone seen with a weapon

While some, if not all, of the above situations could have innocent explanations, the police would rather check beforehand on suspicious activity than be called to investigate a crime after it is committed.

Please remember, timely reporting is important. Dial 911 as soon as you witness suspicious activity!  Do not yell at or chase the suspect away.  Call 911, and give suspect and vehicle description to help the police respond appropriately or even catch a suspect.

Submitted by the St. Paul Police

Preliminary Results of our Clean Up

cars lined up to unload

Maybe it was the lowered cost for dropping off electronics, or maybe it was a collective need to unload our lives, but our attendance this year at the Community Clean Up was significantly higher than in years past. We maintained our maximum of 40 seniors who we were able to assist in getting their stuff to the Slumberland parking lot - and we are sorry that we had to turn away some seniors requesting help - but the other people coming into the site totaled 230, almost 100 more than our historical average, and about 50 more than last year.

We had a very large crew of volunteers this year - 5 crews helping seniors, and 14 youth from Boys Totem Town, in addition to about 25-30 other volunteers. This number of helpers, and a redesigned layout at the site, seemed to have things running much more smoothly than in the past. And it also helps having volunteers return year after year who know the routine.

our reuse section with free stuff

We had less in the reuse area this year, but we are still waiting for final weights on the total amount reused, recycled and sent to the dump.

Many thanks to Slumberland, Brueggers, Little Oven, Boys Totem Town, and all the D1 volunteers for their help making this another successful event.

Metro Transit Open House at Metro State 10/11

Metro Transit will be having several open houses next week to gather public input on a study they are conducting to improve transit service on some of the most heavily used bus routes. They are studying eleven corridors in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs that combined carry about half of the local daily bus ridership.  The focus of this study is on improving existing bus routes, not planned or under construction Light Rail lines.  These open houses will be informal and participants are welcome to come and go as they please. There will be three meetings; two in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul. Meeting times, locations and directions are listed below. If you would like more information and a map of corridors in this study please visit: http://metrotransit.org/arterial-study.aspx

- Tuesday, Oct. 11 - 6 to 8 p.m., Metro State University, Founders Hall, 700 E. 7th St., St. Paul

Nearby bus routes: 61, 63 and 74, Parking ($2.50) is available on Maria St. between E. 6th and 7th streets, across from Founders Hall.

Submitted my Metro Transit

October is Crime Prevention Month!

What you can do to help protect yourself and your property;

- Keep your doors to your home and garage locked at all times

- Get to know your neighbors – organize a Neighborhood Crime Watch / Block Club by contacting Pam at the District 1 Community Council 651-578-7400

- Don’t let people you don’t know into your home such as solicitors or repair people unless you initiated the visit

- Never leave windows open when you are not at home or overnight unless you have them secured to only open 6” or less

- Do not leave valuables near an open window – criminals have been known to cut a screen, reach in, and take what is within reach!

- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle at any time.  Always take them into your home and if you must leave them in the vehicle, put them in the trunk before you reach your destination

- Always call police at 911 or the non-emergency number 651-291-1111 if you see suspicious or unusual behavior.  No call is too insignificant to call police!

It is always a good time to practice safety and crime prevention techniques.

Always be ready to be safe!

“TO DO" List: During your fall frenzy to complete projects around the house during this week's warm weather, add security to the top of the list!

Think of all your outside entry doors, including the garage and service

doors, as a 'system' and make sure deadbolts are installed, glass is

reinforced, framing is strong and solid, use high security strike plates

with three inch screws and adequate depth for the deadbolt throw to

reach inside the framework. Then - LOCK IT!   

Submitted by Pam McCreary, Crime Prevention organizer, D1