Richmond mayor hears concerns of residents

About 200 people or more attended Mayor Dwight C. Jones' first "Town Hall Meeting," in South Richmond last night, with discussion ranging from public safety to federal stimulus money to road improvements.

Jones fielded questions during the forum at the Southside Community Services Center at Southside Plaza and referred residents to the city employee who best could answer each one.

He discussed improvements at parks in South Richmond, plans to build schools and concerns about crime.

"We're all together," Jones said, "trying to build a better Richmond." Jones also addressed concerns about crime. The latest citywide crime statistics were unavailable last night, but as of June 14, overall major crimes were up 6 percent compared with the same period in 2008.

Jones said the poor economy had caused an uptick. "Crime is cyclical," he said. "It goes up and it goes down."

Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood, flanked by about a dozen uniformed officers, told the crowd he was seeking to expand his team to include every resident in the city.

"With your help, your eyes, your ears, your hearts and your prayers," Norwood said, "we'll get it done."

Richmond Fire Chief Robert A. Creecy touted his department's fire-prevention efforts. "Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job," Creecy said.

Referring to a porch collapse that injured five people Saturday in South Richmond, Jones told residents that the city has a free deck-inspection program.

Residents voiced concerns on matters ranging from poor upkeep by some property owners to roads that need work to a perceived lack of handicap parking spots near City Hall.

Emma Pooler, who lives off Hull Street, said some business owners aren't doing their part to keep their properties looking good.

"We like to feel safe whenever we come over to Southside Plaza," Pooler said. "Is there anything the community can do to help them clean up their act?"

The mayor plans to hold other Town Hall Meetings in different parts of the city, but no schedule has been set.

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .