TUCSON, Ariz. - Three midtown neighborhood associations are joining forces in the hope of increasing safety in their neighborhoods.
The Duffy, Mitman, and Highland Vista neighborhood associations have formed the 5th St. and Craycroft Coalition.
Neighborhood association leaders and members hope that by creating this coalition they will be able to have a better line of communication between the neighborhood associations and the Tucson Police Department.
As part of the coalition, neighborhood members, businesses and non-profits in the area will meet once a month. During that monthly meeting they will have the opportunity to discuss any and all concerns they have with TPD officers.
Gina Englert is the president of the Duffy Neighborhood Association, she told KGUN9 she first emailed Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik about potentially forming something like this some time ago.
Englert said she'd talked to Councilman Kozachik about her concerns regarding the Duffy neighborhood, but she was looking forward to talking to others in the community and TPD officers about those concerns too.
"Mostly we want to address crime and safety. We would like to feel safe in our neighborhood, we don't want to feel guarded. We want to be able to wave to everyone and feel comfortable with everyone," said Englert.
Englert added she, as well as other Duffy neighborhood residents, have become concerned with mail theft, the increase in foot traffic throughout the neighborhood, and people sleeping in alleys and washes.
She said her biggest hope is by having these meetings, people who need help in the neighborhood will have access to resources they need.
Councilman Kozachik told KGUN9 the 5th St. and Craycroft was modeled after the Alvernon Grant Initiative, which was started years ago in Tucson.
Kozachik added a big part of the coalition is giving community members the opportunity to interact with TPD because they otherwise might have not had that opportunity.
"TPD is going to take the lead on emceeing the meetings and so that we can get together and TPD can hear from the residents, what are you seeing, where are you seeing it, what kind of things can we, TPD do to better deploy our resources."
The first meeting will be held on February 13th at the TPD Hardesty Multi-Service Center on 22nd and Alvernon.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Anyone who lives or works in the general area of 5th St. and Craycroft is welcome to attend.
