Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee: No meeting Mon. August 9

The Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee will not meet this evening at 5pm. With the youth protection ordinance and the pending discussion of the committee structure on the Town Board’s agenda for discussion this evening, the committee will hold the next meeting at a later date in an effort to conserve staff’s time and efforts.

Information regarding the next committee meeting will be posted to the blog prior to the meeting.

Law Enforcement and Recreation Meeting: Monday, August 9 at 5pm

In light of this week’s Board meeting agenda, The Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee will not meet Monday, July 26 at 5pm. Instead, we will hold our next meeting Monday, August 9 at 5pm in the Town Hall Conference Room. An agenda will be made available prior to the meeting.

Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee Meeting Report: July 12, 2010

The Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee held a meeting Monday, July 12 at 5pm. Items discussed included the Open Space Master Plan, a grant opportunity, a potential partnership with Unity Community Development Corporation and Camp CHOICES.

As far as the Open Space Master Plan, the Committee discussed the importance of being actively involved in the Master Plan process and in working with the group from ECU.

A potential partnership with Unity Community Development Corporation and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is being explored.

We discussed a grant opportunity available through the Triangle Community Foundation’s Community Grantmaking Program. The program focuses funding in two areas: Civic Engagement and Youth Leadership & Development. If you are interested in learning more about the Triangle Community Foundation, visit the web site.

Chief Johnson and Lt. Langston from the Wendell Police Department provided some updated information regarding the upcoming one-week summer camp, Camp CHOICES. There are still a few seats available. More information regarding the camp can be found in a previous post. Click here.

Information and details regarding the committee’s next meeting will be posted to the blog at a later date.

Camp CHOICES: The fun place to learn to choose wisely!

The Wendell Police Department will be hosting a free camp for fourth and fifth graders at the Wendell Community Center.  The camp focuses on making positive choices when dealing with drugs and alcohol.  The day camp will provide a host of fun activities along with snacks and lunch.  Pre-registration is required by contacting Sergeant Wall at 919-365-4444.  Come enjoy the fun!

August 2^nd through August 6^th

Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee Meeting Highlights: Monday, June 28

The Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee met yesterday afternoon at 5 pm. Our guest presenters were Mary E. Perry and Kenneth Johnson from Unity Community Development Corporation. In a previous post, I wrote about Unity and what it is setting out to do in Eastern Wake County. Ms. Perry and Ms. Johnson joined us yesterday to discuss the organization in-depth and to talk about partnership opportunities. The presentation certainly provided a closer look at what Unity is doing and how it impacts not only those it serves but also the community as a whole. On behalf of the Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee, I would like to thank Ms. Perry and Ms. Johnson for speaking with us yesterday and for investing so much towards the betterment of our community. I look forward to working alongside Unity, not only as a commissioner but also as a citizen, as we work to positively impact Wendell’s future.

The next Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee meeting has not been scheduled but is slotted for Monday, July 12 at 5 pm. Depending upon items requiring committee attention, the meeting may be moved to a later date. Stay tuned for details regarding the next meeting date and agenda.

Sleep easier knowing someone’s watching out for us…

I haven’t seen in a long while a night sky as bright as the one that blanketed Wendell Friday night. Wendell Police Department and seven other law enforcement agencies executed a checkpoint at Wendell Blvd. and Rolesville Road, the area known as Martin Center. I was invited to attend and observe the checkpoint on behalf of the Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee, and having only experienced checkpoints behind the wheel of a car, I jumped at the chance to experience one from the sidelines. I have such admiration and respect for law enforcement. I think it takes a special person to put on a uniform every day, to leave home even at the risk of not returning, and to put the lives of others above all else. Standing out at that checkpoint Friday night reiterated to me how important that service and sacrifice are and just how thankful I am for those who do it.

There were a total of 56 charges as a result of Friday’s checkpoint. Three of those were DWIs. There were 32 officers working through the night. MADD volunteers provided food, water and sodas. DOT had workers on-site to make sure lighting was in place and functioning properly. During the short two hours I was out there, I was amazed at how safely and calmly officers maneuvered through all the commotion; cones everywhere, lights flashing, constant vehicle traffic and movement, constant noise, nonstop radio communication, questions from civilians… I was easily overwhelmed by it all while those guys never flinched. In one instance, our Wendell officers reacted immediately to an infant exhibiting medical complications, and EMS was dispatched and arrived on-scene within minutes.

Having observed this checkpoint, what went into it and the success that came from it, I can sleep a little easier knowing law enforcement is out there working to keep us safe. If I should ever let my attention slip for a second and I end up on the receiving end of a speeding ticket or some other traffic citation, I’ll remind myself of the checkpoint and the lives that may have been saved as a result… and I’ll continue to sleep easier at night knowing someone’s out there watching out for us.

LE&R Meeting scheduled for Monday, 6/28 at 5:00 p.m.

The Law Enforcement and Recreation Committee will be holding its next meeting Monday, June 28 at 5:00 p.m. We’ll meet in the conference room in Town Hall.

The agenda consists of:

1. Call to Order
2. Introduction of Guests
   • Ms. Mary E. Perry and Ms. Kenneth Johnson, Unity Community Development Corporation
3. Presentation from Guests
4. Committee Discussion following presentation
5. Other Business
6. Adjourn

You can grab a copy of the agenda here. If you can attend, we’ll see you there. If you can’t make it, no worries, I’ll follow-up the meeting with a post to the blog.

LE&R Committee Meeting (6/14/2010)

1. Call to Order

2. Updates

• 2010 Gang Forum (May 27)
• Drugs Uncovered (June 2)
• Community Watch efforts
• Wendell Weekend Show

3. Recreational activities assessment in Wendell (Holly Springs model): Next steps

4. Review of UDO recommended changes specific to open space (Chapter 7)

5. Other business

6. Adjourn

6-14-2010 LE&R Meeting Agenda

Make your community better. Get involved.

What can you do? Get involved. Learn more about what the Law Enforcement & Recreation Committee is doing. If you would like to attend a meeting, please do. Meetings are regularly scheduled to take place the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room. I will post meeting details and outlines here at least a few days prior to each meeting. Now, in our real worlds, schedules fill up with jobs, kids, pets, functions… well, and life. Sometimes attending a meeting may not be possible. Fortunately, you can get involved in other ways. You can communicate with us through this blog or by sending an email (cadams@townofwendell.com). There are times I loathe technology, and there are times I absolutely cherish it!