2007 MetLife Awards: Curbing Crime One Street at a Time
Date Published: 12/01/2007
Author: Anne Dodge
CASE STUDY
HomeSight and the Seattle Police Department,
2007 MetLife Foundation Community-Police Partnership Community Aesthetics Award
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HomeSight, a Community Development Corporation in Southeast Seattle, is the main partner in the 'Curbing Crime One Street at a Time' project, a strategic effort to increase real and perceived neighborhood safety and reduce crime through revitalization activities and community building. The program incorporates enhancement projects that integrate people- and place- based strategies that physically improve the neighborhood while simultaneously empowering community members and strengthening their social networks. The program employs three strategies: promote infrastructure repair; encourage regular litter removal; and support artistic enhancement. By promoting infrastructure repair, the CSI program addresses problems with neighborhood streets and sidewalks that require attention by municipal agencies. In particular, this strategy has been aimed at repairing sidewalks, installing curbs, and reconfiguring bus shelters. Regular litter removal provides a constant reminder that people care for the neighborhood, in spite of others negligence. Artistic enhancements, like decorative banners and an attractive kiosk, make great accessories and contribute to the neighborhood's unique character. The program has resulted in increased resident participation due to empowerment gained through completing tangible neighborhood revitalization projects and increased trust in police and other city agencies efforts.
Topic: --Community Safety
Type: Case study / model practice