The Village at Washington Terrace’s Sunshine Committee Meets With Raleigh Police Chief

Family Services Coordinator, Bridgette Lynn, and The Sunshine Committee with Raleigh PD Chief of Police, Estella Patterson

The Neighborhood Ambassadors of The Village at Washington Terrace, which consists of five active resident leaders known as The Sunshine Committee, have made it their mission to help foster better relationships between residents and the local police department. 

On November 1st, they took a proactive stance to enhance safety in their community by forging a collaboration with local law enforcement, the Raleigh Police Department (RPD), by meeting with Raleigh PD Chief of Police,  Estella Patterson, to talk about community concerns. 

The Sunshine Committee initiated this pivotal meeting during National Night Out, driven by their strong desire to bring about positive change in their community and address safety concerns. 

To ensure an accurate representation of residents’ voices, each Neighborhood Ambassador participated in three meetings with the Family Service Coordinator (FSC). In these sessions, they were encouraged to formulate three questions that not only reflected the sentiments of their neighbors but also conveyed their personal feelings regarding safety and the creation of a neighborhood watch program. 

Working alongside FSC, Bridgette Lynn, and Manager of Resident Services, LaTonya Mckoy, Neighborhood Ambassador members refined these questions, strategically emphasizing a compassionate and safety-oriented approach. In a final meeting, the following questions were assigned based on the Neighborhood Ambassadors’ compassionate commitment to fostering change in their community. 

• Do you consider neighborhood watch to be an effective strategy to make communities safe?
• Describe the role of a community officer and how we can collaborate with him or her. 
• How often do the police patrol Washington Terrace?
• What are some of the challenges your department is currently facing in responding to a high amount of crime in the Southeast Raleigh area?
• Who is responsible for petitioning the city for signage on public streets to address issues that play a role in increased crime in our community (speeding, abandoned cars on public streets, illegally parked cars, etc.) and how do we request towing for abandoned or illegally parked cars on public streets?
• How does your department approach mental health and crisis intervention?
• We would like to promote a “see something, say something” campaign. Do you have marketing materials we can share in community spaces and in our newsletters? Are there other marketing materials we should consider to promote community safety?

During the subsequent meeting with Chief Patterson, the Captain of Police, Community Officer, and additional officers, residents had the opportunity to articulate their safety concerns directly. The discussions aimed to develop strategies fostering a heightened sense of safety within The Village at Washington Terrace community. 

Meeting with RPD

The collaboration extended beyond resident-law enforcement interactions. Asset Management Professional, Tashonia Williams, lent an additional property management perspective to the questions. This ensured that residents’ responses were precise and aligned with their desires for community improvements, especially in addressing surveillance concerns and recognizing personal responsibility in making positive changes. 

Following this impactful meeting, RPD proactively responded by implementing measures to enhance communication, interaction, and police presence in the community. To date, the Community Officer has removed illegally parked cars on the street and provided gun locks for community residents. 

In the coming weeks, the Community Officer will meet with The Sunshine Committee to talk about setting up a neighborhood watch program and installing neighborhood signage and speed bumps in the community to help residents feel safer. 

This collaborative effort stands as a testament to the success of the residents’ advocacy for a safer and more secure living environment. It all comes back to bridging the gap between residents and local police officers, resulting in a safer community for all.