I attended my first Cole Neighborhood Association Meeting last Thursday in almost a year. I had begun boycotting the meetings after my first, when it became clear that the only thing the attendees thought was an issue in the 'hood was gentrification.
Not crime, pollution or gangs, just finding a way to stop all the white people from moving in and driving property values up (by cleaning up the neighborhood, mind you). What trend do you think is more troubling--Violent crime, or raising property values?
I always knew that I should give it another try, and am ashamed it took me this long.
But there I was, at the meeting the other night, not knowing what to expect, but expecting the worst.
The truth? I was pleasantly surprised that rather being in the minority this time, we were in the majority. And by "we" I mean responsible residents that bought a home in this neighborhood as an investment, and as such know that the only way this investment is going to pay off is for the neighborhood to improve.
And by "we" I mean people that know that in order for the neighborhood to improve, there is a definite crime problem that needs to be addressed, and that it takes an aggressive police presence to get that done.
Last meeting, a woman actually stood up and said "This is a great neighborhood, we don't need such a police presence". This time I heard several residents stand up and talk about their own problem houses on their blocks that were perpetuating the history of drugs, violence and theft that this "great neighborhood" had become known for in the past.
I was thrilled as well that several police officers from District 2 in Denver attended the meeting. Both because I appreciate their efforts on our behalf tremendously, and enjoyed the opportunity to shake their hands and say thanks. Also, because I know they stopped coming to the neighborhood association meetings in the past because they grew tired of the perpetual "cop-bashing" sessions the meetings often deteriorated into. This time they were greeted by a majority of attendees that were sincere in their appreciation for their efforts, and that were committed to doing their part to help the police continue to clean up this neighborhood.
After hearing of the problems some residents were having just a few blocks away from our home, I realized this was going to be a long process improving the neighborhood and pushing the problem individuals out. But with cooperation between realistic, reasonable residents like are beginning to get involved, and the police department, I believe we can do it.
Thanks for reading.
