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The Stow Avenue Neighborhood Group, along with the
South Troy Neighborhood Watch, work together to make
our neighborhoods a better and safer place to live.
One of our main goals is to educate and involve the
children of our neighborhoods. We know the kids are
the future of our community, and we have special events,
such as the Anti-Drug March, that the children are the
main participants in. The Anti-Drug March was started
by the South Troy Neighborhood Watch in 1996 in cooperation
with School 12 and the Principal James Kapp. This event
is held in October and this year the groups have changed
the name to Anti-Drug, Anti-Gang March.
The kids walk from School 12 to the Canal via Second
Street and from the Canal back to the school via First
Street. With the excitement of all the residents that
come out to cheer as the marchers go by, this helps
the young children feel proud to take part in this event.
After the march, all the participants are invited into
the school cafeteria for free refreshments.
Another event we try to get the children involved with
is the city's "Earth Day" clean-up in April.
Last year our two groups decided to give all the kids
that participated a free Stewarts ice cream certificate,
as well as the class that had the most participants
in School 12 were awarded with a pizza party, compliments
of Patricelli's Deli and the Troy Discount Beverage
Center.
The Stow Avenue group also holds a hot dog barbecue
for all who help in the clean-up. We were very pleased
with the amount of children that participated in the
cleanups, and we plan on having another incentive for
them to join again this year.
The South Troy Neighborhood Watch also started the Safe
Haven From Danger in 1996. This program involves our
local businesses opening up their facilities to anyone
who might be in danger and in need of a safe place to
go. These businesses all have a bright yellow emblem
with a black star with the words Safe Haven From Danger
on them in the store front windows. The principal at
School 12 informs all the students at the beginning
of each school year about this program and gives them
all the information if they are ever in need to use
it.
On March 19 at 6:30 p.m., South Troy and Stow Avenue,
in conjunction with the Troy Community Police Department,
will be sponsoring a Finger Printing Clinic and Child
Awareness Program at School 12. We encourage anyone
with children to attend. This is not restricted to the
South Troy area only, anyone in the city may participate.
With the opening of the South Troy Police Sub-station
located at 557 4th St., both of our groups decided to
utilize this facility as a Resource Center. There are
all kinds of pamphlets that give information about the
city's resources, as well as the programs offered to
all the residents. We also have a "Pandora's Box"
located right in the front of the office. This Pandora's
Box is for the residents to use not only for complaints,
but for suggestions and ideas as well. All are kept
confidential and you do not need to sign your name.
The information collected will be distributed to the
proper authorities. We are also hoping to use this sub-station
to get a summer program started for the children in
our neighborhoods.
The Stow Ave. Neighborhood Group also participates every
year in the National Night Out Against Crime that takes
place in early August. This event is used to bring awareness
of home safety, street safety, and community togetherness.
Everyone is always welcome to join us.
With the lack of recreational areas in our neighborhoods,
both groups have become involved with Troy's Recovery
Action Plan for Parks and Rec to get a recreational
facility in our community. Right now the South Troy
area only has the School #12 playground and the South
End Pool, which are seasonal and time restricted to
the residents. We are hoping for a facility that can
be used all year long and that is affordable to everyone
of all ages.
All of the programs are sponsored by our neighborhood
volunteers and local businesses. There is no charge
to families or children for any programs run by our
neighborhood watch groups.
We would like to thank all our neighbors who came out
and helped the elderly with shoveling during our many
snow storms this winter. It's acts like these that bringing
our neighborhoods together.
With the many changes that have taken place and boundary
lines being moved, South Troy still remains a very strong
and proud community. Our groups work on maintaining
and preserving the pride of our residents and neighborhoods.
The South Troy Neighborhood Watch boundaries run from
Main Avenue to Madison Street from First Street to Fourth
Street. The Stow Ave Neighborhood Group boundaries run
from the South End Tavern to the Menands Bridge up Morrison
Avenue to Cottage Street and the whole Stow Hill area.
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