From: Amy Mock
Columbus
Over the last few weeks, Columbus has started to become like other major cities with gun violence. Our first responders have been doing an excellent job at being proactive instead of reactive. There are other things we need to focus on to help protect each other.
The Ninth Street Park Neighborhood Watch, covering all of Bartholomew County, has partnered with the Department of Public Works, the City Engineers Office, Duke Energy, and REMC to get all the streetlights on the main streets of Columbus and some in the REMC service area fixed or replaced. To date we have reported over 100 streetlights since the first of April. There are still many more to go and we will get to all of them.
Did you realize that there are many lights throughout the city, in city parks and off-road areas, that were put there for a reason but have been neglected? If a person is walking on a sidewalk or perhaps the People Trail, then they should feel safe, and that means having the trails lit all the way around. I have heard from multiple other people who say they will never use the People Trail due to lack of security. What can you do to help each other be safe and secure? Everyone has the option to exercise in daylight or darkness without being in fear.
If you see a streetlight out, report it. If you have a pothole, report it. Simply go to the link provided at columbus.in.gov and once on the page, use the three lines on the right and then go to contact and fill out the form. If you are visually or hearing impaired, have someone contact the mayor’s office at 812-376-2500, and they will take your request and get it to the right department.
The Ninth Street Park Neighborhood Watch is trying to be proactive rather than reactive. Therefore, we are reaching out to all members of the Columbus City Council and the Columbus City Parks Department to do their duty in helping protect all citizens in Columbus. Please contact Mark Jones at 812-376-2680 with any concerns about the parks that you may have.
You may also contact any City Council member at columbus.in.gov, and using the three lines on the right, click City Hall, and then click City Council, and there will be all their information.
Editor’s note: Amy Mock is secretary/treasurer for Ninth Street Park Neighborhood Watch.
