Politics & Government

Maplewood Residents Take Action at MCAP Launch

Enthusiastic crowd helps kick off inaugural community building program at Maplewood Library.

 

The Maplewood Community Action Program (MCAP), a new community building initiative, held its first meeting Monday night at the Maplewood Memorial Library. Roughly twenty residents from different neighborhoods came to hear an update on public safety from Police Chief Robert Cimino and a report from Director of Public Works Eric Burbank. 

The program is also intended to provide a forum for residents across the township to discuss a wide range of concerns and ideas and to share information.

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Township Committeeman Marlon K. Brownlee, who spearheaded the initiative, told the crowd he hoped the meeting would spur an ongoing dialogue between residents and township officials, and that participants would take the information they learned back to their neighbors.

"You are the leaders and the pioneers," he said.

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Mayor Vic DeLuca, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Leventhal, Township Committee member India Larrier, Township Administrator Joseph Manning and Maplewood Police Lt. Dean Naddeo (head of the Crime Prevention Unit) were also in attendance.

Cimino told residents that burglaries were down after having spiked last year, and that car break-ins and auto theft continued to be an issue. He urged residents to call the police anytime they see something suspicious, saying that the department responds promptly to citizen complaints and reports.

"Don't just talk amongst your neighbors; tell us," Cimino said. Several residents asked about making anonymous complaints. Cimino said the department welcomed any information, but that if officers don't witness criminal behavior they are limited in their ability to make an arrest unless they had a complainant identified.

Naddeo noted that arrest is not the department's only goal: sometimes information can be used as an effective deterrent. For instance, if a large group of teenagers is fighting, a police response can help defuse the situation.

To deter home burglaries, Naddeo suggested that residents have good lighting, locks and an alarm system, and keep their homes' exterior neat -- well kept houses are less of a draw for burglars, he said. He also said residents could call the department at (973) 762-3400 to request a free home security survey.

The attendees broke into smaller groups to discuss new and different ways the township could communicate important information and to suggest guest speakers for future meetings.

Suggestions for more effective communication included utilizing old-fashioned phone chains, posting notices on grocery store bulletin boards, and announcing emergency information from a truck-mounted loudspeaker. "Human contact," said one man. "That's what we need again."

Another man said he realized he didn't even know his neighbors' phone numbers. One woman said her neighborhood collected resident contact information at their annual block party.

As for guest speakers, attendees suggested Superintendent Brian Osborne, PTA members, school principals, Maplewood Community Pool management, the Departments of Health and Engineering and representatives of local neighborhood associations. 

"I really was impressed with how well the small groups went," said Larrier after the meeting. "Everyone was engaged and involved. I look forward to working with the MCAP participants. I think their energy and influence will really help us get - and keep - in touch with our residents. As MCAP matures, I hope it will be an integral part of the open communication that makes a great community." 

"I believe that good communication is one of the cornerstones of a successful community, and seeing the enthusiasm of the people in the room, it was clear that this meeting definitely tapped into that need," said Brownlee. "Everyone seemed to really appreciate having the opportunity to have their questions answered so directly, and to work with each other as well."

Attendees responded enthusiastically to Brownlee's suggestion of holding the meetings quarterly. The next meeting would likely be at the end of June.

"I am already eagerly looking forward to the next meeting," said Brownlee.


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