From melissa@sng.org  Tue Jun  4 08:07:37 2002
From: melissa@sng.org (Melissa Martinez-Sones)
Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 16:07:37 +0800
Subject: [Sng-matthews] Outcomes.
Message-ID: <B9229649.1535%melissa@sng.org>

Greetings.  A few weeks ago I sent (or THOUGHT I sent) an email to the
Matthews Park email list.  After hearing from a few people that they hadn't
received anything, I double-checked only to find out I sent it to the wrong
address.  So I'm sending it now and I apologize it has taken this long to
get out to everyone.  Feedback, ideas and suggestions are certainly welcome.

For the record, the correct address to send a message to the entire list is:
sng-matthews@communityforum.net

Thanks,
Melissa

Original message:

> Greetings!  Last week at our follow-up meeting (5/7/02) I promised to put
> our outcomes on the email list.  Here is (some of) what came out of that
> last meeting:
> 
> 1.  The creation of a handout with pertinent information about the park
> (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) and for calling 911, with a targeted
> distribution time in May.  Who: SNG staff.
> 2.  Matthews Park Advisory Council -- To address problems, hold booster
> events, work on shared use planning and programming issues.  Who:
> representatives from various organizations and ngbd. residents.
> 3.  Teen Council/Board -- Connect this group with the Matthews Park Advisory
> Council.  
> 4.  Posting rules/code of ethics at basketball courts and in park.  Who:
> Park staff.
> 5.  Park Walkers -- People to walk regularly through the park, monitor
> behavior and report accordingly.  Who: Neighborhood residents.
> 6.  Cause & effect -- Make sure there are repercussions for bad behavior at
> park.  Who: Park staff, neighbors calling police.
> 7.  Communication -- Utilize the email list to share information about park
> goings-on.  (Already  happening!)
> 8.  Clean park -- A clean park can mean a safer park.  Who: Park staff, Teen
> Teamworks (?), a function of Park Walkers.
> 9.  Utilize Hennepin County Probations -- Especially on Sundays when there
> isn't staffing at the park.  Who:  Hennepin County Probations.
> 10.  Block Club Meetings:  Block club leaders spreading this information out
> to neighbors.  Who: Block club leaders.
> 
> Please feel free to add any missing information or any other ideas you might
> have.  
> 
> Thanks,
> Melissa Martinez-Sones
> SNG


From luann@sng.org  Fri Jun  7 00:03:08 2002
From: luann@sng.org (LuAnn Wilcox)
Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2002 18:03:08 -0600
Subject: [Sng-matthews] <no subject>
Message-ID: <20020606232703.2AD76ACB5@mail.gofast.net>

I want to express my opposition to the idea of posting "code of conduct" 
signs at the basketball courts.  Signs such as these not only detract from
neighborhood aesthetics, they also give off a negative "vibe" that detracts
from our positive sense of community.  Moreover, these signs will not be
effective in changing public behaviors.  Indeed, they may inspire more
defiance.

I would also like to express that instead of focusing all our energy on
"having consequences for bad behavior," we need to focus on rewarding good
behavior.  To do that, youth need safe, welcoming places to go to, and
positive activities to engage in.  This past school year, teenagers were not
allowed in the recreation center after school and as a result unhealthy,
anti-social behaviors have escalated.  We need to invest community energy in
supporting youth, not just punishing them, or these problems will never go
away.

LuAnn Wilcox
SNG Youth Development Specialist

From davenpam@mtn.org  Fri Jun  7 11:08:45 2002
From: davenpam@mtn.org (Dave Mann)
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 06:08:45 -0500
Subject: [Sng-matthews] LuAnn Wilcox's posting
Message-ID: <f05100307b92642e2994b@[209.173.230.69]>

In response to the concern about the signs - perhaps it would feel 
different in the park - but as has been mentioned at the meetings 
several times, the simple signs posted at the YWCA regarding the 
building being a "peace zone" and having zero tolerance for abusive 
behaviour, etc does not seem to detract but in fact adds to the 
feeling and comfort of the Y as a community center.  And, again as 
mentioned by people in the meetings, the signs there make it easy to 
remind folks of the guidelines without making it so personal.  I do 
have a concern with the current park guidelines in that they seem 
overly long and may not serve the same purpose if posted on signs.

I agree with not only focusing on the consequences for youth - I also 
know from people listening at the meetings that many of the problems 
are not coming from youth and we need to remember that not only are 
adults causing some of the problems but they also create negative 
role models for younger folks

- Dave Mann
-- 
David Mann
2024 28th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55406
612-288-0971

From snpall@tchabitat.org  Fri Jun  7 14:15:59 2002
From: snpall@tchabitat.org (Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer)
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 09:15:59 -0500
Subject: [Sng-matthews] LuAnn Wilcox's posting
Message-ID: <61360356B087D111969700A0C996202C49DC00@HAB_NT1>

Thanks, Dave.  I agree.  Signs do not have to deter from the the park's 
aesthetics (as noted in the recent Star Trib article about the signage at 
Corcoran Park (in honor of a neighbor of that park who died recently) but 
can add to its beauty.  Put some local artists in charge of designing the 
sign and it will be an asset to the community--artistically as well as 
making a point to the park's users.

Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer
2021 - 28th Ave. S.

-----Original Message-----
From:	Dave Mann [SMTP:davenpam@mtn.org]
Sent:	Friday, June 07, 2002 6:09 AM
To:	sng-matthews@communityforum.net
Subject:	[Sng-matthews] LuAnn Wilcox's posting

In response to the concern about the signs - perhaps it would feel
different in the park - but as has been mentioned at the meetings
several times, the simple signs posted at the YWCA regarding the
building being a "peace zone" and having zero tolerance for abusive
behaviour, etc does not seem to detract but in fact adds to the
feeling and comfort of the Y as a community center.  And, again as
mentioned by people in the meetings, the signs there make it easy to
remind folks of the guidelines without making it so personal.  I do
have a concern with the current park guidelines in that they seem
overly long and may not serve the same purpose if posted on signs.

I agree with not only focusing on the consequences for youth - I also
know from people listening at the meetings that many of the problems
are not coming from youth and we need to remember that not only are
adults causing some of the problems but they also create negative
role models for younger folks

- Dave Mann
--
David Mann
2024 28th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55406
612-288-0971
_______________________________________________
If you need help with this list, email Melissa at SNG at melissa@sng.org.
Sng-matthews mailing list
Sng-matthews@communityforum.net
http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/sng-matthews


From monica@lidralporter.com  Sat Jun  8 03:05:02 2002
From: monica@lidralporter.com (Monica Lidral)
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 22:05:02 -0500
Subject: [Sng-matthews] <no subject>
References: <20020606232703.2AD76ACB5@mail.gofast.net>
Message-ID: <002001c20e99$48741ef0$c14211d8@FAMILY>

Posting a sign does not imply consequences for bad behavior.  It merely
states the community expectations for behavior in public spaces.  If we can
not agree on what the standards for behavior are, we will be forced to
tolerate behavior that goes beyond what most people consider acceptabel..
The school system, the park system, and most organizations have codes of
conduct.  My husband and I do not consider that these give off a "negative
vibe".  We think that they are a positive, community-building tool.  I agree
with Dave that having such standards posted makes it easier to broach the
subject with someone and depersonalizes the situation.  This could also
deescalate any situation where people using the park have different view of
what is acceptable conduct.

Regarding your second paragraph, I believe that teenagers were allowed in
the park.  The problem was that there were no programs for teens.  In the
past, you had drop-in time for them after school, but provided no specifice
activities for them.  This lead to problems with the younger children in
park programs. Such problematic behavior included disrespect of park
personnel and patrons, foul and abusive language, and creation of an
environment where my children felt uncomfortable.

It is the responsibility of the adults in charge to establish the programs
and set the parameters for appropriate behavior.   It is natural for
teenagers to test limits.  It is the right of the community to be explicit
about behavioral expectations.  Thus the signs.

The signs apply to adults, children and teenagers.  No one has stated
categorically that the only problems at the park revolve around the
teenagers.


----- Original Message -----
From: "LuAnn Wilcox" <luann@sng.org>
To: <sng-matthews@communityforum.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2002 7:03 PM
Subject: [Sng-matthews] <no subject>


> I want to express my opposition to the idea of posting "code of conduct"
> signs at the basketball courts.  Signs such as these not only detract from
> neighborhood aesthetics, they also give off a negative "vibe" that
detracts
> from our positive sense of community.  Moreover, these signs will not be
> effective in changing public behaviors.  Indeed, they may inspire more
> defiance.
>
> I would also like to express that instead of focusing all our energy on
> "having consequences for bad behavior," we need to focus on rewarding good
> behavior.  To do that, youth need safe, welcoming places to go to, and
> positive activities to engage in.  This past school year, teenagers were
not
> allowed in the recreation center after school and as a result unhealthy,
> anti-social behaviors have escalated.  We need to invest community energy
in
> supporting youth, not just punishing them, or these problems will never go
> away.
>
> LuAnn Wilcox
> SNG Youth Development Specialist
> _______________________________________________
> If you need help with this list, email Melissa at SNG at melissa@sng.org.
> Sng-matthews mailing list
> Sng-matthews@communityforum.net
> http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/sng-matthews
>


From takhistos@yahoo.com  Thu Jun 13 16:51:15 2002
From: takhistos@yahoo.com (Miles Teg)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 09:51:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Sng-matthews] Seward crime website
Message-ID: <20020613165115.18849.qmail@web11104.mail.yahoo.com>

I have created a web page to address recent criminal
activity in Seward.  The group we are having trouble
with on my block consists of the park regulars and
some unsavory characters.  Please visit at 
www.geocities.com/takhistos/Crime.html

This provides a very quick way to report problem
behaviors and suggestions for how to address them.

     Nathan Mitchell


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