New Crime Watch Group forms in Old Uptowne Neighborhood, Mid

[Jonathan]

On Tuesday, July 31, 40 plus residents of Old Uptowne met with Captain Cindy Baldwin, Lt. Ralph Brown and Officers Stacey Lauver and Delon Henry of the Harrisburg City Police to organize the first crime watch group for the neighborhood. Old Uptowne Crime Watch Group joins with several other groups in Midtown and Harrisburg to continue the drive towards a safe, vibrant city. With the addition of Old Uptowne, the majority of Midtown neighborhoods have active watch groups.

Old Uptowne extends from 2nd St to Third St and Kelker to MaClay in Midtown, and is currently undergoing a dynamic, concerted renaissance of residential investment and renovation spearheaded by WCI Partners and Green Street Properties. Over 60 properties are being renovated and 25 new townhomes are currently under construction, or planned for the near future. This private investment is driving value in the neighborhood and bolstering the burgeoning community activism, including formation of the crime watch group.

The meeting was organized by FOM members Alan and Sandra Hochberg, residents of Old Uptowne. Several other members of Friends of Midtown, including board members CJ Elder, Chair of the Beautification Committee, Chuck Hamilton, Chair of the Citizen Safety Committee, and Don Barnett, member at large, attended the meeting and enthusiastically endorse the leadership of Sandra and Alan.

Sandra graciously and effectively hosted, and introduced David Butcher, Vice President of Project Planning, WCI Partners, who detailed the activities of the company in their partnership with the neighborhood and their on going efforts in support of the resurgence of Old Uptowne. Mr. Butcher then engaged the residents in a spirited discussion of the issues of the neighborhood.

Following Mr. Butcher, Captain Baldwin explained the basics of how a neighborhood watch group operates, pledged the support and cooperation of the city police in a community partnership to promote safety and prevent crime in the area. Subsequent to that, she answered several questions from the residents and provided a very supportive and hopeful message.

The meeting was positive, friendly, and focused on maintaining and strengthening communications between the police and residents, key to citizen safety; and beautification efforts and offered practical methods to continue the growth in a vibrant community.

For further information, or to join the Old Uptowne Crime Watch Group contact Friends of Midtown at safety@friendsofmidtown.org, thanks!