Neighborhood watch groups flourish
MILTON, GA., Aug. 23, 2010 - The Milton Police Department's MPACT (Milton Police And Citizens Together) program has begun to take hold in several neighborhoods across the city.
MPACT is the Milton Police Department's way of organizing and conducting neighborhood watches. It works by creating a network of residents - normally a Homeowners Association - specifically assigned as that neighborhood's point of contact for the Police Department. They report information to each other and police, and distribute information from authorities when needed. In turn, the Police Department is able to provide information and training specific to that particular community.
To schedule a meeting in your neighborhood, contact Community Officer Andrew Phillips. He is available by calling 678-242-2505 or e-mailing
andrew.phillips@cityofmiltonga.us.
There is also an online form for residents looking to schedule a meeting with Phillips available at the city's Web site,
www.cityofmiltonga.us. Residents may sign up by clicking on "Forms," then choosing "Police Department Community Outreach Program" under "Online Forms."
You may also click
here.
Just a few months into the program's launch, Avensong and Fairmont, neighborhoods on Deerfield Parkway and Ga. 9 respectively, are the program's most successful partners, said Phillips.
"The commitment of people like Howard Drobes in Avensong and Tina D'Aversa in Fairmont have been instrumental in making those neighborhoods our most active," said Phillips. "We hope other communities will see the work of these groups and create a similar network in their own neighborhoods."
Incorporated on December 1, 2006, the City of Milton is a distinctive community that embraces small-town life and heritage while preserving and enhancing the city's rural character. The City of Milton is committed to maintaining the unique quality of life for its constituents while efficiently delivering essential services to residents and businesses in an interactive community environment. For more information, visit
www.cityofmiltonga.us, or call 678-242-2500.
Labels: milton, Milton City, Milton Georgia, milton police department, neighborhood stabilization program, Neighborhood Watch
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 11:33 AM
A federal grant will give Fulton County funds to deal with foreclosed and abandoned properties next year but north Fulton may see little of the money.
According to Melvin Richardson, deputy director of community development and housing for Fulton County, Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton are part of the second-lowest priority district. Johns Creek is a separate entity and would not be eligible for any funds. The highest priority area is South Fulton, where there are the most foreclosures.
The $10.3 million from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development would be available in February, said Richardson. Four public meetings have been held for public comment regarding the issue.
“There will be five primary strategies for dealing with foreclosures and abandonments including rehab, demolition and buying homes,” said Richardson. “Roswell administrators are identifying areas in the city with small concentrations of foreclosures and we will add those to the databank.”
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Substantial Amendment will have to go to the County Board of Commissioners and get a majority approval before being submitted to HUD on or before Dec. 1, said Richardson.
The cities of Milton and Alpharetta have chosen not to take part in the process, he said. James Drinkard, Alpharetta assistant city administrator, said city staff have only seen a few individual foreclosed homes and not entire neighborhoods that need rehabilitation.
Labels: Alpharetta, Forclosures, foreclosure, hud, Johns Creek, milton, neighborhood stabilization program, North Fulton, Roswell
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 2:12 PM
