CommunitySafety

Counseling

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As a community based organization, HomeSight continuously works on improving the livability and vitality of its focus neighborhoods by partnering with local business owners and other community-based groups and organizations to sponsor community safety initiatives (see below), support neighborhood events, and build community leadership capacity and economic capacity. Below are just a few of the events we have sponsored and/or participated in this year.

HomeSight promotes community safety and crime prevention in order to foster the livability of urban neighborhoods as well as protect its community development investments. We operate the Community Safety Initiative (CSI) in conjunction with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (New York), the Seattle Police Department’s South Precinct, community residents and business owners. Started in Southeast Seattle in 1999, HomeSight and its partners work to engage community to prevent crime, employ collaborative prevention strategies, encourage positive image building about the Rainier Valley and partner with the local police precinct to solve problems. HomeSight’s CSI also funds events that encourage positive neighborhood activities such as outdoor sidewalk cleaning projects, the Art Out Loud evening lecture series, the Rainier Valley Heritage Parade & Festival and more as listed below. HomeSight and CSI have successfully collaborated with local business owners in high crime locations to revamp their establishments to discourage illegitimate users.

Crime Prevention Through Partnerships....

Southeast Seattle Crime Mapping Project (Currently Underway): HomeSight/CSI has created a GIS-based program to identify crime hot spots and possible solutions in Southeast Seattle. Partners include the Seattle Police Department, Seattle SE Weed and Seed Program, the CSI Community Steering Committee, the SE Seattle Crime Prevention Council and Denise Gloster, University of Washington Graduate Student.
Columbia City Pedestrian Lighting Project (Expected Completion Fall 2003): HomeSight/CSI has teamed with the Columbia City Business Association to select a design, identify placement, seek approval for by the Landmark’s Preservation Board and install 4 new historical pedestrian lights in Columbia City. Sound Transit met with our team to coordinate matching of lights potentially to be installed on South Edmunds Street leading into Columbia City as part of the Light Rail pedestrian gateway to the business district.
Rainier Valley Runaround 5k/10k Fun Run & Walk (Completed May 2003): HomeSight partnered with Leadership Tomorrow to offer this community event. The event’s goal was to attract new people to the Rainier Valley to showcase its diversity, vibrant business districts and neighborhoods. Nearly 300 participants participated and $1,700 was raised.
Columbia Plaza Revitalization Project (completed April 2002): Painting of entire building exterior to comply with Landmark’s Preservation District rules; removal of misused pay phones; electrical rewiring to support Farmer’s Market; removal of alcohol & tobacco signs; garbage pickup and more. Efforts motivated landlords to provide property with new roof, new parking lot, and new building awning.
Abandoned Vehicle Legislation (2001): HomeSight & CSI supported and worked with the SE Seattle Crime Prevention Council to write new legislation into law that discourages vehicle dumping in SE Seattle by creating increased citation ability for legal authorities.

Additional CSI Funded Projects

Eritrean Community Center Landscaping Day in Atlantic St. Neighborhood, Columbia City Garden Tour, Viet-Wah Shopping Plaza Parking Lot Safety and Sign Improvements in MLK@Holly Neighborhood, Columbia City Town Meeting, Mapes Creek Pedestrian Walkway in the Rainier Beach Neighborhood, Columbia City Art Out Loud Art Festival.