A few months ago, we were approached by Erin Nealy Cox and PJ Meitl who told us about the work they were doing as part of Project Safe Neighborhood. They have been embedded in two Dallas neighborhoods for a year, and have seen some success in crime rates lowering (even while they rose in the rest of Dallas). But, they told us, “we realize we cannot arrest our way out of crime. We have to look at the design of a neighborhood.”
We could not agree more.
We are beyond excited to partner with PSN and community members to look at how Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) can play a role in reducing crime.
We are working on plans now for two neighborhoods in Dallas. On October 25 and 26, we will work to activate a plaza in the intersection known as Five Points that will address traffic issues, improve safety, and foster a vital sense of community. We will work with the community to develop a year-long programming calendar and measure the impact of the various interventions. We are beginning the process of community engagement at Forest-Audelia, where we’re identifying ideas for infrastructure, and organizing programming that better serves the community.
If you want to get involved with the projects, send an email to krista@betterblock.org. Learn about the projects here.