CCP 06-23-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 8 • Suggest the Commissioners do a little patrol up there, the VIPs are doing it. How about the neighboring residents? It would be great to have help from them. Bob Jacobson, Director of Public Safety • The good news about all this is that our City is not tolerant for crime. • There are 200 Crime Watch Captains in the City of New Brighton. We have been in the top five for the past nine years for National Night Out. We were first place several years ago. It goes back to the passion of residents to keep our neighborhoods safe and a wonderful place to live. • Our crime rate has never been lower since the 1980's. • It's disturbing when families with young kids are afraid to go to that park. Often there is reality and always some perception. We want everybody to believe and know that that park is safe for them. • Patrols will continue, we have committed volunteers, the kids are organized, the neighborhood is organized. • Recommend dialogue between the neighborhood and those that use the park continue to work together to keep it a safe park. • Think we can be successful. We cut crime at Polynesian by 50% o. Not by Public Safety work alone but by community effort. Norton asked about the replacement schedule for equipment. Samuelson stated the climbing wall looked bad,, the pavilion looked shabby. It really needs to be assessed to improve the whole appearance of the park. Perhaps a fund raiser could be held to put toward improvements. People should be responsible for their own trash. Breuer stated on the replacement schedule it is scheduled for 2010. We are hearing tonight that the skateboard park is in need or replacement. The asphalt was $32,000. When there is talk of moving the skateboard park, the asphalt is not budgeted with the replacement cost. The equipment cost was $25,000. Projected we will want to spend about $32,000 in 2010. Norton inquired if repairs can be made. Breuer stated we attempt to make yearly repairs. Dents and bumps cannot be repaired. Wolla stated if it were unsafe, it would have to be removed. If the kids are willing to paint, he can provide the paint. Heinrich stated he has seen skateboard parks with a concrete base. Wolla stated in talking with vendors, that's what they are putting in now because the asphalt can sink in the heat. Breuer stated she did some research and found that St. Anthony built their skate park in 2002. Little Canada put in concrete. Shoreview is replacing their skateboard park and based on the info from the youth they chose not to use concrete. There are different kinds of skateboard parks out there now too. Some are wood. Fridley is initiating skateboarding in their school district. Fridley feels this is becoming a mainstream sport. They want to teach it when the kids are young. Breuer said we could offer a free clinic. It sounds like these kids are willing to instruct. These kids are very respectful and teach the younger kids how to do these tricks.