Neighborhood crime and hiring private security, an update on the Midway Overlook project and the upcoming summer picnic were all vetted at Bird Rock Community Council’s (BRCC’s) July meeting.
Bird Rock’s Neighborhood Watch director noted that 50 new Neighborhood Watch signs, written on both sides, have been strategically placed throughout the community.
A local resident asked if Bird Rock would be willing to consider chipping in and hiring private security to perform a watchdog function in the community, noting police continue to be understaffed.
“It doesn’t fall under the Maintenance Assessment District (MAD), and there’s no way to mandate someone’s paying,” said the Neighborhood Watch director. “The roadblock is, even if you come up with 100 people who want to pay, to determine where they (security) go and spend their time.”
“If someone is willing to step forward and own that, the BRCC is a vehicle to help get that info out and rally people,” noted board member Greg Wadsworth.
“I don’t have an issue with it as an agenda item,” said board president Andrew Ward.
“It would be nice to build some momentum in this direction,” said board vice president John Newsam.
Ward noted the issue could be revisited at the group’s next regular meeting in September.
“Seating and viewing at the Midway overlook are open for public use,” noted Barbara Dunbar, the group’s treasurer in charge of the MAD. “But the temporary orange netting will remain in place to protect landscaping until it becomes established. They hope to have the netting removed by the end of August.”
Dunbar added there have been complaints of littering, vandalism, and underage drinking in the overlook area. She thanked neighbors nearby for voluntarily cleaning up messes, especially after busy weekends.
Dunbar reiterated that it is illegal for anyone to put signage within the public right-of-way, especially not on traffic signs at roundabouts.
“It should be common sense that you don’t put up signs which block the line of sight for people,” she said, adding such signs also add to “visual blight.”
Anyone with information about misplaced signs, damage to sprinklers or anything else concerning the MAD is urged to file a report on [email protected] being specific about time and place.
The location of BRCC’s annual August community picnic has changed. The new venue for the Tuesday, Aug. 2 event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will be at Bird Rock Joint Use Park behind Bird Rock Elementary School. Beaumont’s is catering and cost is $10 per person.