January has been an exciting month for GRDC’s Community Security Program!

The Neighborhood Safety Meeting, hosted by the Crime Prevention Task Force with support from GRDC, took place January 22nd. Residents gathered at the North Rosedale Park Community House to hear presentations about accurately reporting suspicious activity to the police and to hear news about other community initiatives. In addition, a demonstration was given on how to use the new app, DPD Connect, available for free through Android and Apple.

The next monthly Neighborhood Safety Meeting will be 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday, February 26 at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale. District #1 Manager Stephanie Young will speak on the topic “From Vacancy to Safety: Resources for You” as Detroit faces safety challenges due to the high volume of vacancy from tax foreclosure. All Neighborhood Safety Meetings are free and open to the public.

On the morning of Saturday, January 24, the conference room at Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation was abuzz with activity when over 30 neighbors arrived at the Internet Safety Workshop, another initiative of the Crime Prevention Task Force. Representatives from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Internet Safety Unit, presented useful methods for avoiding scams and protecting loved ones from online predators. For more information, please visit wayne.county.com/sheriff/1373.htm. Many thanks to the Internet Safety Unit for presenting and to the residents who attended Saturday’s workshop.

The Neighborhood Safety Meetings and Safety Workshops are two examples of activities supported by the Community Security Program at GRDC. These events are designed to enhance the great work already being carried out by residents to ensure safety in the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhoods.

The Community Security Program is also continuing to develop the concept of a Neighborhood Benefits District for the Grandmont Rosedale community. When implemented, a Neighborhood Benefits District (NBD) would utilize a special assessment to provide sustainable funding for snow removal and supplemental security services. GRDC’s NBD Task Force is working with the Detroit Department of Neighborhoods to put the necessary procedures in place to make this concept a reality.

For more information about the NBD or other activities of the GRDC Community Security Program, contact Community Security Program VISTA, Cassie Richard, at 313-387-4732, ext. 109 or crichard@grandmontrosedale.com.