Jackson Heights Life

From: "Rob Roszkowski" <really4rob@yahoo.com>
To: jhfamilies@yahoogroups.com

As I read more of these, I rememeber at my college how we used to have Walk Service (walkie talkies assigned to groups that would, when a number was called, walked people from the library or train to the dorms.)  In the era of cell phones, this could something ... if everyone just volunteered three nights a year to be the "on call" walker, a hundred of us could provide safe nights for all.

Thanks to Amar for setting us up with a date and place.  Community Church has offered us a meeting place:

The Community Walk Service meeting will be held on Monday December 29th, from 7 pm - 9pm. The Community Church is located at 81-10 35th Avenue. The meeting will be in Room 7 (lower level).

Hope to see you there.

Thanks to Amar for arranging a meeting place for us.

While the turnout was a little lower than expected, those of us who did brave the night came up with a plan, and hope to see others get involved.  Anyone interested can email me at really4rob@yahoo.com, or those personal message things here.

As of now, we are going to the 115th next month, and will be having a follow-up meeting (with self defensive and awareness tips and speakers and what not) near the end of January, when we hopefully launch.

Just an update:  our group is actually attending the 115th privately and seperate from the community meeting, as per discussions with the officers at the precinct.

We will still having the meeting on the 26th though, along with self defense tips from one of the members, and perhaps a representative from the precinct. 

This has been a busy week ... our group has met with both the JHBG and the 115th Prencinct Community Affairs Office, so added to the agenda priorly posted will be results of both of those.

In fact, on a more personal note, several of our members with ongoing issues at the 115th were able to see progress made on cases ... its refreshing to see that things are starting to get done on so many levels.

However, there is still more to do, more to discuss, and more to know ... so we hope to see you at the meeting (see the flyer in the above post) this Monday.  And to those of who who emailed me at yahoo, yes, coming late is better than not coming at all ... I understand the post-work rush (even though, yes, I get out at 3.)

Can you post an update as to how the meeting went? 

From: "Rob Roszkowski" <really4rob@yahoo.com>
To: jhfamilies@yahoogroups.com

(Yes I am just pasting the mail I sent out there, for those who may have read it at jhfamilies.  As said at the meeting last night, its good to belong both this board and jhfamilies ...)


First, let me thank Orlando, Talia, Richard and Rebecca for all the leg work that led up to our second meeting.  Though illness kept a few of the "core committee" away, their work was instrumental in getting our group together.  Thanks also to Amar for use the Community Church space.
 
Secondly, let me thank the 20 or so people who did show up to discuss security.  Although we don't seem to have enough a volunteer base at thsi time to implement the community walk service idea, if even discussing it led to a forum in which we can be safer and more aware it was worth it.
 
At some point in the future, we hope to have a third meeting, and maybe go further.  Also, to reschedule the JHBG and Right Rides speakers that had to cancel.  So please, if interested, reply to this and ask to be invited to the safejh group to be kept aprised.
 
The meeting itself was very free form (especially as we had a few cancellations) , but Orlando and I discussed the results of the safety meeting we had at the 115th precinct, as well just general safety awareness tips (among them, using buddies when walking if possible, staying on your phone to alert people you are coming home, and common sense things to do if confronted, like seeking a safe haven type store (Starbucks', La Boina Roja, etc.) that's open late)). 
 
We also discussed setting up formal Safe Haven stores, cab ride sharing ideas from the 74th Street terminal, and recent neighborhood activity.
 
We also encourage everyone to attend the next community meeting at the 115th (we plan to as well).
 
The best news was that St Marks is working with Orlando to give his self defense class FREE to any interested parties on Wednesday nights at St Marks.  (I believe it was 7:30 pm, but I'm sure Orlando will correct me if I'm in error).  We definitely encourage attendance to these as well.  But remember, the self defense is a last resort, your back to the wall type thing:  the best thing is to have your wits about you, stay on well lit paths like 37th Avenue, and be aware of your surroundings.  Don't be afraid to call attention to yourself by turning around, or (if God forbid attacked) by yelling out ... even if you feel silly, it may just save your life.
 
As someone with a family member who was attacked in the past year (in a crowded school yard no less), I can personally add that I am glad that community awareness on this issue is up.  Though it may not be as "hot button" as did-or-didn' t-Monserrate, or which-stroller- is-the-best, it is heartening that this topic of community safety merits attention.
 
If you would like more information on joining the safejh group, email Talia at talia.jimenez@ verizon.net

If you want more information about the self defense classes, email Orlando at sensei.orlando@ yahoo.com

If you want a more in depth set of minutes from our visit to the 115th, email Rebecca at rjcheat@hotmail. com

In the next email (well, post), I will post a copy of the community walk service plan, though it is on hold until we can generate enough volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, email me at really4rob@yahoo. com, or Talia at the address above.

Whew!