The following are standing committees of the DCDA that meet regularly and report back to the Board and to the neighborhood:

• Land Use
• Neighborhood Environment
  - E Boulevard Pedscape - Phase 2
  - Generous Donors raise $20,100.
  - Dilworth Crime Coalition (DCC) Announces Action---- Requests Neighborhood Donationsfor Safety Patrols
  - DCDA Approves Loan to Crime Coalition
  - Crime Coalition Team Update - August, 2008
  - Safety Tips
   
• Communications
• Legal Affairs / Bylaws
• Fun Patrol

Land Use Committee

If all the houses and buildings in Dilworth remained completely unchanged, there would be no need for a Land Use Committee. But we live in a changing world, especially here in Dilworth, where a vibrant economic environment presents a multitude of development opportunities. The DCDA Land Use Committee is in place to maintain neighborhood awareness of this changing environment and help formulate responses and actions in the interest of preserving the essential character of the neighborhood. Its activities include: ongoing participation in the development of city planning initiatives that affect the Dilworth neighborhood (e.g., Dilworth Land Use and Streetscape Plan, East Boulevard Pedscape Plan, SouthEnd Transit Station Plan); scrutiny of development proposals and rezoning requests within the boundaries of Dilworth and beyond; working to improve the dialogue between the neighborhood and our city's Planning Commission and City Council; and working tirelessly to presere our historic district.

2008 Members

• Josh Rimany , Chair	Debora Arnold
  Jill Walker	Gregg Watkins
  Jack Kehoe	Frances Alexander
  Steve Leasure	Bob Neely
  David Whittington	Jack Fenlon
  	John Fryday

   

   

Neighborhood Environment Committee

If the DCDA were to have an ombudsman position, this Committee would be its home. By definition an ombudsman “is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing (complaints, concerns, etc.) reported by individual citizens”. For instance, this past year, the Committee has fielded questions and concerns dealing with traffic calming and pedestrian safety, blocked sidewalks, and illegally parked cars. A large portion of time was spent concerning the restriping and pedestrian island project on East Boulevard. Related to traffic issues, the Committee worked w/CDOT to conduct a survey about traffic in Dilworth and encouraged residents to complete CDOT’s Transportation Action Plan on-line survey. The Committee also updated the DCDA’s procedure for requesting new traffic calming measures within the neighborhood. Responsible for working to protect and replace our aging tree canopy, this fall the Committee (and many others) swung into action on the “Conquer the Canker” tree banding project. In a matter of a few weeks, volunteers designed and ordered signs with the “Conquer the Canker” logo. Volunteers also went door-door in the days surrounding Halloween with flyers detailing the canker worm problem and preventative measures, and we took orders for and distributed over 7500 sets of tree banding materials.

2008 Members

E Boulevard Pedscape - Phase 2 (.pdf)

Submitted by:  Wes Kenney, Neighborhood Environment Committee
Date:                 July, 2008

East Boulevard Pedscape Improvements Phase II Public Meeting – Aug 26, 6 pm,
Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 E Boulevard.

In the summer of 2006, the East Boulevard Pedscape Improvements Phase I was completed. Now you may be wondering what exactly I am talking about.  This is the section of East Blvd from Scott Avenue to Freedom Park that was downsized to two lanes from four. This enabled the addition of two bike lanes and six pedestrian refugees for crossing East Blvd. This project has gone a long way to making this section of East Blvd much more pedestrian friendly.

Now for those of you with good memories, at the time the East Blvd Pedscape was drawn, it was not only the section between Scott Avenue and Freedom Park that was considered, but also the section from Cleveland Avenue down to Dilworth Road West. However at that time, the City did not have the funds available to implement the full plan. The Phase I section was chosen, as it could be accomplished with the available funds.

The Cleveland to Dilworth Road West section of East Boulevard is the grand residential avenue of Dilworth that Edward Latta envisioned. He placed his home smack in the middle, where the Greek Orthodox Cathedral stands today. It is a broad tree lined avenue that was built to impress as well as accommodate a streetcar line. However, due to its width and lack of crosswalks in the era of the speeding car, this stretch of East Blvd can be a bit risky when crossing by foot or bike from one side to the other. This is particularly of issue for families with small children trying to get to and from Latta Park.

At this time the City has earmarked limited funds for implementing Phase II of the East Blvd Pedscape. The City Planning Department will be having a public meeting on Tues, Aug. 26, 6 pm, at the Dilworth United Methodist Church. This is an opportunity for the neighborhood to have a say in making East Blvd a safer street for pedestrians. Please mark your calendar for that week.

Please attend this meeting, so we can have a say in making our neighborhood’s grandest avenue safer to cross for all residents.

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Crime Coalition Team Update as of August, 2008

Submitted by: Britton DuBose
Date: August, 2008

The Dilworth Crime Coalition Update: UPDATE ON OFF-DUTY SAFETY PATROLS AND USE OF NEIGHBORHOOD DONATIONS

As one of many responses to recent crime in Dilworth, the Dilworth Crime Coalitionbegan a fundraising effort for off-duty police safety patrols in April 2008. Through donations from 234 households, 13 businesses, organizations and churches and 30 employer matches, we have raised over $50,000. Below is the current budget vs spend:
Budget - $51,945.
Spend - $ 6,243.
Remaining - $45,702.

During the past 30 days, we assessed the effectiveness of our patrol schedule and worked closely with CMPD to re-set this schedule based on a number of factors:
The introduction of a new CMPD officer specifically assigned to the safety ofbusinesses on East Blvd. His name is Officer Danny Graham and he’s often seen on his Segway. He was a vital part of a recent arrest from a residential burglary inDilworth. Increased CMPD patrols due to the attention Dilworth has received for recent crime activity Recognition of recent crime trends and the needs of our community Identification of a compensation scheme and schedule most likely to attract CMPD officers to sign up for the off-duty patrol shifts in Dilworth  As a result, our current patrol schedule is now working well! We confidently say this for the following reasons: Members of the DCC receive weekly reports with notes from the off-duty patrols. We know where the patrols have been and what they’ve seen. Therefore, we’re able to schedule patrols during peak crime times and can adjust the schedule periodically as we, along with CMPD, see shifts in crime activity. We have patrols scheduled during times when Dilworth residents are most likely to beon the streets, enjoying our beautiful neighborhood. We have increased the frequency and number of patrols during times when residents are most likely to be away from their homes.  All of this was done with a promise from CMPD that their regular, business-as-usual patrols will not be decreased due to our subsidization of off-duty patrols.  

Given all of this, the DCC expects to use the remaining donations to fund patrols thru April 2009. (The patrols between now and April 2009 will be much more frequent and numerous!)  The only expense unrelated to off-duty patrols that is being covered through the donations is the purchase and operation of a cell phone for Officer Danny, who is assigned to the safety of the businesses on East Blvd. This cost approximately $50 and the usage of the phone will be assessed as Officer Danny continues his patrols. The DCC will begin to assess the need for fundraising for off-duty patrols this fall.

We welcome feedback in the meantime!
# # #

Submitted by: Lori Archer Raible (Co-chair, Dilworth Crime Coalition)
Date: July, 2008

THE DILWORTH CRIME COALITION UPDATE

While the challenge of protecting our streets, homes, businesses, and families remains, we strongly believe the efforts made thus far by our community along with CMPD have been greatly successful.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it has been for us all to pull together our voices, time, and resources. As much as I love the large oaks and old sidewalks, the people comprising Dilworth have reminded me why we choose to live in Dilworth. We love our neighbors. My hope is that through this Crime fighting initiative you also have realized that we are all ‘looking out for one another’ in new ways.

As The DCC was forming, we agreed that we would be  ‘part of the solution.’  We would also assume the best about the people and institutions we work with to improve what has been at times a scary situation. We haven’t been disappointed.

DILWORTH AND CMPD: A PARTNERSHIP...Read more...
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Submitted Dilworth Neighborhood Network
Date: May 24, 2008

Crime Coalition Committee Sets June 20 Deadline as Funds Grow

Dilworth Neighbors:

Thank you to each and every household that generously donated to the private patrol fund! We hope that the neighborhood feels a bit safer now that CMPD has extra patrols on our streets.

We anticipate that the added patrolling over the next year will be a short-term initiative to keep our neighborhood safe until the city can do a more effective job. The money we have raised thus far will sustain this effort through April of 2009. At that time, we will reassess the situation and decide if our city's response to violent crime and break-ins meets our needs in Dilworth.

We are pleased to report that we have $33,600 in hand, thanks to the generosity of 147 households, 4 businesses and 21 employer matches.  While we are grateful for the funds, please understand that this represents a tiny fraction of the 5000 households in DIlworth.

As summer approaches, many of us will be out of town for long weekends and weeks at a time. Our goal is to put an aggressive plan in place, including increasing patrols on key holiday weekends. If you have not contributed to the fund and can, please consider helping us meet one of these financial goals. The recommended donation per family is $200, but we gratefully accept any amount higher or lower, or in multiple payments. And while we will gladly accept donations anytime, our objective is to receive your donation by June 20, 2008 so that we can finalize our neighborhood strategy. Read more...

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Submitted by: Carla Ashton, Crime Coalition
Date: April 29, 2009

Thanks to generous donors throughout Dilworth, $20,100. has been raised to pay for Police patrols in our neighborhood as of the April 27 Quarterly copy deadline.  Donations are being received daily, and a more complete list will be published in the August Quarterly.  To donate, complete the donor form.   If you have donated and do not see your name, please contact cashton@carolina.rr.com. Read more...

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Submitted Dilworth Neighborhood Network
Date: April 21, 2008

Fundraising Off to Strong Start

Last week, the request for donations for private police patrols went out though the Neighborhood Network, and neighbors have responded! In the first 5 days, checks totalling $5,750 were received. Employee matches of $900 should bring that total to$6,650. This will allow the Crime Coalition to:

1) cover the weekend patrols that began May 6 (3-hour shifts Friday and Saturday nights)

2) repay the $1000 start-up loan from DCDA, and

3) provide an additional 5 months of Friday and Saturday night patrols.

As funds permit, the Coalition will seek to add random daytime patrols during the week. Reports generated by patrol officers as well as a recap of patrol coverage will be posted or circulated for your review. Please consider joining your neighbors in sponsoring a night of safety with a $200 contribution (or any amount) to“DCDA-DCC Safety Patrol" mailed to Carla Ashton, 619 Mt. Vernon Avenue,Charlotte, 28203.

# # #

Submitted by:  Dilworth Crime Coalition
Date: April 14, 2008

Dilworth Crime Coalition (DCC) Announces Action----

Requests Neighborhood Donations for Safety Patrols

...In order to create funding for continued patrols, we are asking all Dilworth residents to consider making a financial contribution to a fund earmarked for safety.Generous families throughout Dilworth have already pledged over $2000 to get the effort started. Any amount will be appreciated. We hope you will consider sponsoring a night of safety for $200. Read more...

# # #

Submitted by: Dilworth Neighborhood Network
Date: April 04, 2008
DCDA Approves Loan to Crime Coalition

At Wednesday night's DCDA meeting, a $1000 loan to the Dilworth Crime Coalition was approved. This loan willhelp fund alternative safety measures including public awareness flyers, security horns, and the hiring of off-duty CMPD officers for increased patrols. Horns will be available for purchase as part of a coordinated, uniform SOS signal for neighbors. You will receive details shortly.

Private patrols by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers will begin this weekend. They are being coordinated by CMPD and the Crime Coalition, a group of more than 30 volunteers who stepped up following the March 3 community meeting at the Sykes Center to lead the efforts to combat crime in Dilworth. Read More ...

 

UPDATE FROM THE CRIME COALITION: as of March 31, 2008

Dilworth Neighbors:

The chairs of the Dilworth Crime Coalition, three representatives of
CMPD and leaders in DCDA met Wednesday night. With our safety and best
interests at heart, we made some decisions that we hope you will join us
in implementing.

Our number one priority is your number one priority. Together, our
neighbors are rapidly taking charge of our neighborhood. We will not
allow a few violent criminals to take away what is sacred to us.

Below, we outline our initiatives and teams. Read More...

Safety Tips - posted 3/21/2008
Read More...

 

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee has two major responsibilities.  First is publication of the Dilworth Quarterly, a neighborhood publication filled with articles written primarily by Dilworth residents and business owners.  The advertising, again mostly by Dilworth businesses, allows this publication to be distributed to approximately 4500 residents.  The second responsibility of this committee is the website, dilworthonline.org.   This newly redesigned website offers a wealth of information from crime watches to restaurant reviews to neighborhood events.  All are encouraged to register with the website to receive occasional updates and information on current events.

2008 Members

 

Legal Affairs / Bylaws Committee

The Legal Affairs Committee advises the Board on legal matters and maintains the Bylaws.

2008 Members

 

Fun Patrol

Whether it’s a newcomer welcoming party or the highly attended Dilworth Jubilee and Home Tour, Neighborhood events are what give our inner city community its neighborhood appeal.  Each year, DCDA works to hosts such events as the Jubilee, Dilworth Home Tour, Criterium and Newcomers Parties and works to promote Individual Block Parties.  Neighbors band together and volunteer countless hours of time and effort to assure the success of these events to benefit all of Dilworth. Whether a huge event such as the Home Tour/ Jubilee or an intimate gathering such as a Newcomers Welcome or Block Party, it takes an army of people to make it go off without a hitch, and this Committee provides the organization.

2008 Members