A 23-year city business owner called Monday for more police attention to the Park & Seventh business district,, where he said "loosies," liquor and littering are problems.
"I'm saying to the council, I need your help," David Holmes said in public comment.
Holmes said he has spent $2,000 on replacing glass in his store window and police patrols have not been consistent. He gave the governing body photos of trash dumped behind his store and said he has found feces on his back wall. His son, who had a restaurant next door, has left Plainfield, he said.
"I'm tired of it," Holmes said. Although he has customers from neighboring towns, he said, the perception of the Park & Seventh district is that it is not safe.
"Unfortunately, Plainfield has tolerated too much for too long," he said.
In other towns, he said, "We know exactly how to act."
Public Safety Director Carl Riley assured Holmes that he will receive help and said he is working on getting surveillance cameras in the area. Riley said police officers have been assigned to "directed patrols," where they get out of patrol cars and walk around.
Other speakers backed up Holmes' plea for help, describing similar problems with trash, illegal sales of loose cigarettes, loitering, public urination, drinking and groups blocking the sidewalk.
The Park & Seventh district is part of the Special Improvement District along with the downtown and the South Avenue business corridor. A surtax is assessed to property owners in the SID and it is used for promotions, graffiti removal and a quarterly publication that includes a directory of all the businesses.
--Bernice
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Front st. Is worst times 10.
ReplyDeletewell, I don't know if front steet is worse.i don't shop down town.nothing 2 shop for. I do know about 7th and park.if there is a officer ,he is sitting in the car maybe they should be walking the beat.and as soon as I get out the car,i see the beggars.asking for money.and yes the dollar depot and the paper store do sell loosies.i don't understand that after years of doing so,they are still at it.i know this does not happen in other towns,why is it allowed in plainfield?
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to launch a assault on the poor and mentally ill. But won't dare go near front st that has the same issues as front st. I don't condone loitering but as least be fair in enforcement. By the way what's gonna happen if police tell someone standing on park ave. peacefully to move along? Arrest them for what there is no anti loiter law in the municipal code. But they won't tell the poor and mentally Ill that ! Cleanup all the streets just don't be selective in enforcement. Organizing for Peace Progress and prosperity for all. Mr. X
DeleteAnd this is something new ????
ReplyDeleteI live on the corner of Park and Crescent and I have people afraid to visit me because of what goes on near the corner of Park and 7th. I hope something is done and all trash is removed from that area. I am tired of the panhandling and walking past the city parking lot to downtown and seeing men urinating against the wall. I love Plainfield, but I don't love what I see happening in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteWhat trash? The PMUA justifies its existence on the fact that they have cleaned up Plainfield.
DeleteIs this a problem of the city's own making? I was told- hence, needs to be verified- that people can't idle in Library Park anymore. People may have something to do other than stand outside stores if they can park themselves in the park. There should be a good alternative to distract from bad behavior.
ReplyDeleteBusiness owners also need to do their part. Clean sidewalks and clean windows would be a good start. Making sure street lights work and dead trees are removed could go a long way. Police presence will help with petty crime. Can't wait to see this area revitalized.
ReplyDeleteAll of these things and more are quality of life issues.. The City Government doesn't believe in the broken window theory so they are allowed to go on...year after year after year..administration after administration...
ReplyDeleteThe places selling "loosies" are committing a state offense.. if the city won't do anything about it, report them to the state and the state will do the job that the city doesn't have the fortitude to take care of.
If you can't be a responsible member of the business community you shouldn't be here...well...that's the attitude of cities where the city actually gives a damn.
Those who complain about lack of enforcement of the anti loitering law perhaps can do a double check on loitering laws. To my knowledge loitering laws have been vacated as they are unconstitutional. Must experience organizers that work with groups of people know this.
ReplyDeleteThey know that do the mayor and police know that ?
DeleteTake a look at the falling down house on Terrill Rd near Cushing Ave. It has been YEARS falling apart but nothing gets done. Welcome to Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteBernice, we at the PSID have complained over and over again about the lack of police presents in our down town and South Ave business district and get the same cookie cutter excuses. I have called the new Public Safety director and gotten the same. Other towns have a Chief of Police. We don't and maybe that issue should be visited but the people have to speak out. One person will not get any attention but many will.
ReplyDeleteNimrod Webb
President PSID
Yes..."we know how to act" in other towns because we know there will be consequences. Driving down South Ave, you know you better not speed in Fanwood, but once they hit Plainfield, their foot becomes heavy on the gas. There is no respect! Here things are allowed to slide or are overlooked. Plainfield is a beautiful town, why are things allowed to fester and destroy such a beautiful town??
ReplyDeleteThe knowledgeable, caring people of Plainfield are grossly out numbered by the ignorant, and uninformed
ReplyDeletemajority. After many years of complaining about basic quality of life issues, I am on the verge of giving up....However, after reading these comments and finding
there More and more like minded peopl like myself I will continue to fight a little longer. We all seem to have the
same feeling of pride and potential in this City. Let's keep
fighting, " A CHANGE IS GONNA COME...OH YES IT WILL"
Bernice, Just had meeting with the new public safety director Carl Riley. We spoke of the issues of downtown and other business districts and he assured me that things will change. Now we the people of Plainfield will see. I am hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteNimrod Webb
PSID President
REALLY? "New", the guy been there for a year. Why only now is the SID President meeting on this issue.
DeleteWe pay extra taxes for our store. Why doesn't anyone do anything?
The SID is a joke!
Perhaps we should enlist the Guardian Angels.?
ReplyDelete