Westminster Heights Neighborhood Plan - City of St. Petersburg

More documents

Recommendations

Info

WESTMINSTER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Crime Statistics The St. Petersburg Police Department Crime Analysis Unit compiles crime statistics for the city. This unit conducts analysis by calculating the total reported crimes for crime tracts in each neighborhood. The Westminster Heights Neighborhood contains five crime tracts: CT 163, 171, 172, 196 & 197 (see Crime Tract map). Collected data is divided into two categories: crimes against persons and crimes against property. Crimes against persons include: murder, forcible sex, robbery, aggravated assault. Crimes against property include: burglary, larceny and auto theft. The crime analysis table shows a decrease in five of the categories of crimes against property and crimes against persons. As shown in the table, burglary decreased from 71 reported cases in 1998 to 29 reported cases in 2007 (-59%). Auto theft had 22 reported cases in 1998 to 19 cases in 2007 (-13.6%). There was also a decrease in larceny from 91 reported cases in 1998 to 39 reported cases in 2007 (-57%). Another decrease was aggravated assault from 26 reported cases in 1998 to 17 cases in 2007 (-34%). Lastly, robbery remained the same of 9 reported cases in 1998 and 9 cases in 2007 (0%). December 2008 44
WESTMINSTER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Table 2: Westminster Heights UCR Crime Index 1998-2007 1998-2007 Westminster Heights Neighborhood The table shows no reported cases involving Murder between 1998 and 2006. Forcible sex had increase from zero (0) reported cases in 1998 to four (4) reported cases in 2006 (400%). Crime Reduction Strategies Public safety is a priority concern for residents in the Westminster Heights Neighborhood and is crucial to the neighborhood's future. Calls for service have decreased in recent years. Residents have expressed concerns of drug trafficking and other illegal activity in pockets throughout the area. Westminster Heights has a neighborhood watch program. Criminal activity usually occurs where criminals feel they can safely commit a crime without the possibility of arrest. These activities are greatly reduced in areas where the residents take an active role in the observation and reporting of illegal activities. An active neighborhood watch program can be the “eyes and ears” for police officers by residents calling in suspicious activity, holding monthly meetings to share information, and establishing resident foot or car patrols, which should be part of a strategy to address issues of crime within the neighborhood. Signage is one tool to show ownership of the community and warn others of active resident involvement. Drugs and crime continue to be key issues for the neighbors. The association membership has worked closely with their community service officer and has participated in several Turn Around St. Petersburg-The Wrice Process anti drug marches and vigils in the Westminster Heights area. A St. Petersburg Times article included descriptions of marches in the area. These efforts have received strong support from area businesses, such as the Nightriders Van Club and the Mid Peninsula Seafood Restaurant. The Westminster Heights Neighborhood Association has collaborated with the Central Oak Park Neighborhood in addressing common issues such as drugs and crime. December 2008 45
Page 1 and 2: WESTMINSTER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PL
Page 43: WESTMINSTER HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD PL
Page 65 and 66: Westminster Heights Neighborhood Pl
Page 67 and 68: Chapter 3 - Public Safety 3.1.2 The
Page 69 and 70: Westminster Heights Neighborhood Pl
Page 71 and 72: eference to “the City’s vision
Page 73: ZONING CODE and NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS

Westminster Heights Neighborhood Plan - City of St. Petersburg

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?