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In the Early '90s a group of neighbors began to meet
at the old South Troy Community Center. This was the
beginning of the South Troy Neighborhood Group.
Soon a director and officers were elected and a group
of concerned neighbors began meeting with city officials
and people from law enforcement because of an overwhelming
drug problem and deterioration of our neighborhood.
In 1996, we were reorganized and became officially
know as the South Troy Neighborhood Watch. Our home
is based at the Polish American Club at 504 First St.
As with all organizations people have come and gone
over the years but we have remained steadfast and focused
on the issues and concerns of our neighbors. We continue
to meet with city officials and law enforcement.
In 1996, we conducted the first anti-drug march in
the area, working with School 12 and area businesses
and law enforcement agencies. On Oct. 17, we held our
annual anti-drug march, which was a great success thanks
to the children, parents and neighbors who participated.
The march stepped off at School 12 continued to Ida
Street and back to the school, where everyone enjoyed
refreshments donated by local area businesses.
Our Safe Haven from Danger Program was also introduced
in 1996. This program provides sanctuary to a child
in peril. This program was updated on July 23 of this
year. The program includes 36 Safe Haven from Danger
sites.
They include area business organizations, a Health
Center, Engine 6 Firehouse and the new Police Substation.
Yellow and black signs displayed in windows and door
fronts make it easy to recognize these sites.
This school year Mr. Kapp, principal of School 12,
and the teachers reacquainted the pupils with the locations
of these sites. Children in danger are welcome at these
sites and are kept safe until police or parents can
come to their rescue.
The Neighborhood Watch works a lot with the children
in our area. In the past years we have provided an opportunity
for parents to have their children finger printed.
On Earth Day, we organized a neighborhood wide cleanup
project including a volunteer project for all the classes
at School 12 elementary school in South Troy.
Volunteers from the Neighborhood Watch acquired donations
from many area businesses to give as awards to the children
that volunteered on Earth Day. Every child that volunteered,
no matter how much or how little received a certificate.
Students who went above and beyond what was expected
of them on that day received special prizes. The class
that had the most student volunteers won a pizza party.
The officers of the South Troy Neighborhood Watch are
members of the South Troy, South Central Weed and Seed
committee. This program is funded by a federal grant
and will help to improve our neighborhoods. In a joint
effort with the Stow Avenue Neighborhood Watch we will
soon be adding a resource center to the Police Substation
at 557 Fourth Street for the South Troy Neighborhoods.
This is one of the many projects our neighborhood watch
is working on.
When complete the resource center will contain various
forms, pamphlets and there will also be a list of local
businesses and phone numbers available. We encourage
all our neighbors to take advantage of the services
available from our area businesses
We will soon be placing a Pandora's Box at the South
Troy Diner and the Police Substation.
According to Greek mythology, when Pandora opened the
box all the evils of the world were released. But in
the end the only thing that was left was HOPE. This
is what our Neighborhood Watch is all about HOPE. Hope
for a safer, cleaner, drug free neighborhood. Hope for
the days when neighbors can once again sit on their
front porches and walk in their neighborhoods without
fear.
If residents are unable to attend our meeting and would
like to voice their concerns they can drop off an anonymous
letter or note with their concerns in the Pandora's
Box. The Neighborhood Watch will make sure they get
to the appropriate people or agencies. There will be
paper, pens and envelopes available at each box.
The key to the success of a neighborhood watch is COMMUNITY
involvement. Our meetings are held on the third Wednesday
of each month at 7 p.m. at the Polish American Club.
The next meeting will be Nov. 20, with guest speakers
Ted Keefe of the city Public Works Department and Marcie
Haskell from Trojans for Troy.
The South Troy Neighborhood Watch boundaries run from
Madison Street, south to Main Street and west of the
Hudson River to Fourth Street.
The South Troy Neighborhood Watch would like to thank
the many businesses and neighbors that have and continue
to support our programs with their many donations over
the years.
Pamela Belschwinder, is secretary of the South Troy
Neighborhood Watch. Margaret Davis Skelton, treasurer,
contributed to the column.
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