Email:  VillaParkCivic@gmail.com					Website:  http://VPCA.tripod.com/
Date:  April 1, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 6:50pm.
Executive board members in attendance: Charles Thomas, Brian Starkey, Tom Harvst, and Kathy Starkey.  Also in attendance:  Det. Russo and Lt. Cruz for the Trenton Police Department. 
Guest Speakers: Sue, Brenda, Lucinda and Beverly from Stray Cats Volunteer Association and Director of Trenton Police Department Irving Bradley.

The Stray Cat Association deals with the feral cat population.  The group offers a low cost alternative in which they provide the trap and once the animal is trapped it would cost $25 to spay or neuter the cat, vaccinate, “tip the ear” (for future identification) and release back into the neighborhood. What this process does is to help decrease the growth of the population, decreases the fighting, howling and spraying in the neighborhoods.   group survives on donations. The process of “ear tipping” is to help identify which cats have already been vaccinated and spayed/neutered so that if they are caught they can be released. According to these ladies, it is virtually impossible for feral cats to be housebroken and therefore cannot be pets; which is why they are released back into their natural habitat. If the cats are found early as kittens, then there is more likelihood of them becoming pets. Because Stray Cats survives on donations alone, monetary help is greatly appreciated!! If you would like to volunteer, donate or more information, please contact Stray Cats Inc at 609-903-1258.

Police Information for East 3 (3/23/09 to 3/29/09)
0 Homicides, 0 sexual assaults, 0 robberies, 0 aggravated assaults, 0 burglary, 1 theft, 1 auto theft.
Theft
- 905 Liberty Street on 3/31/09 at 2:23pm; assorted clothing and shoes were taken; and an arrest has been made.
Auto Theft
- 762 Chambers Street on 3/28/09 from EZ Motors; 2008 dirt bike was stolen.

POLICE INFORMATION
- Citizen’s Police Academy is a new initiative from the Trenton Police Department to start in June 09. The Citizen’s Police Academy provides an opportunity to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of your Police Department. Classes will be held on a weekly basis and the first 40 participants will be accepted. More information will be on our web site.
- Camera in Villa Park has been activated and the pictures are very clear.
-  Reminder from Trenton Police Department to call the police (989-4170) if you see ANYTHING suspicious and do NOT leave GPS units in your car!!!!

Resident Concerns
- Harry mentioned that a GPS unit was stolen from a Pest Master truck, however this was not reported to the police. 
- Harry also informed Det. Russo about a prowler call he made for 837 Melrose avenue; someone was looking through the windows and blinds and trying door handles. He called police dispatch with the information but received a return call from the Trenton Police Department 15 minutes later asking if a patrol car was still needed at his location. Harry stated he called the next day to complain about it.  Det. Russo and Lt. Cruz stated they would look into this, but Det. Russo said that it seemed to be that dispatch was calling back to make sure everything was ok.  Director Bradley also commented that he is working on problems with communications and dispatch department. But there is a list of priority for the types of complaints.
- It has been suggested that when calling the police please have as much correct and identifying information as possible for dispatch to correctly prioritize calls.
- Ruben Wroten also had a complaint about 813 Lyndale Avenue, the same house that was a problem last year also. There seems to be more foot traffic around that house again. It was again strongly urged that communication with the police department is imperative thru telephone, email or getting a message to Charles to pass on.
- Kathleen Bilancio informed of a complaint about occupants at 912 Melrose Avenue. Several complaints have been made about this house. Det. Russo and Lt. Cruz took the information and stated they would look into this. Charles also stated that the VPCA could have interceded on her behalf, information needs to be given.
- Any concerns should be phoned in to the Trenton Police Department. For non-emergent situations, if there is any fear of retaliation call Det. Russo directly or discuss with Charles to have the umbrella protection of the VPCA.
- Complaints about seeing teenagers coming out of Rittman’s Bar possibly being served. Charles requested information so that he can pass along the information to the owner, Mr. Linga, who is a business member of the VPCA.

Director Bradley spoke with everyone about various things he is working on since becoming Police Director. 
- He hopes that in the future officers can perform a “virtual Patrol” from their vehicles. 
- He also asked if the VPCA would write a letter to the Assignment Judge to raise bail on arrestees. It is well known that the current situation is not doing the city any good when officers arrest people and the bail is set so low that the arrestees are out again in a few hours.  
- An analysis can also be done of accidents on straight thru streets to lower car speeds.  (At this point Charles stated that the speed bump issues “are not dead” and will be re-addressed as an association.)
- Director Bradley also further discussed the Citizen’s Police Academy (further information is available on the website or at VPCA meetings).
- The Trenton Police Department wants the citizens to know there is an “open door policy”. If you have any problems, you can come to your local department for help. Citizens do not have to wait for monthly meetings to voice concerns.
- Community communication with the Trenton Police Department is important and crucial.
- Curfew hours were re-iterated; juveniles are not permitted to be out alone after 10pm unless accompanied by an adult. Officers are directed to stop and challenge those not following curfew rules.
- Truancy programs are still in progress.

NEW BUSINESS
- In light of the Director’s speech, Charles requested to re-visit starting the Block Captain Committee in upcoming meetings.
- Charles requested everyone talk to their neighbors and get them to come to meetings. VPCA has the largest turnout in the city for Civic Associations!!!!
- Several “Club’s” are still available from the police department. Contact Det. Russo if you would like one. 
- Booster seats for older kids are still available from the Trenton Police Department also. Contact Det. Russo for more details. 
- Don’t forget Executive committee elections are in June. Time to think about a new president and other positions!

The meeting was adjourned at 7:55pm and the next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 6th at 6:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Starkey
Recording Secretary