Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

WNC COMMITTEES: (1) Community Concerns - Joe Austin, Dot Truitt, John Bonas, R. Burnett, S. Purnell, Cindy Pilchard (2) Convention and Forums - M. Pretl, Lena Wallop, D. Macleod, S.Lankford; (3) Recruitment and Membership - Chair Cindy Pilchard & Vice Chair Mike Pretl; and, (4) Website Development - Kurt Drechsler, Terry Potterton and D. Campbell (5) HOA Workshop Development-- K. Drechsler, S. Miller and T. Potterton (6) Covenants and Bylaws: M. Pretl, B. Leonard, and A. Ackerson (7) External Communication-C. Pilchard and B. Hocutt , (8) Annual Dinner and Conference-M.J. Marine, B.Johansson, D. Truitt, C. Pilchard, D. Macleod, and R.Oartel.

I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Terry Potterton called the meeting to order at 6:35PM.

II. PRESENT: Bob Hocutt (Schumaker Pond Association) Winona Hocutt (Schumaker Pond Association) Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek), Dot Truitt ( Eireann Mohr) Debbie Campbell (Camden Neighborhood Association), Tom Hughes (Camden Neighborhood Association), Richard Widdowson (East Main Street Neighborhood Association), Jack Burgess (Village of Tony Tank Creek), Carl Dragwa (12 South HOA), Sona Morrison (Schumaker Manor HOA).

III. MINUTES: The minutes of November 23, 2010 were approved.

IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Lena Wallop was not present to give a report.

V. GUEST SPEAKER - Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan -
Chief Duncan came to serve the City of Salisbury after 22 years of law enforcement experience in Mount Vernon, New York. Mount Vernon is 4.2 square miles, with a population of 75,000. Mount Vernon also had a very large crime problem as well as gang issues. Approximately 10 years passed before they (Mount Vernon) recognized the gang problem and switched their approach.

She feels it's important getting officers to realize that we need to build legitimacy and trust with kids (gangs) in the neighborhoods and community; reaching out and partnering with those who have done crime to speak with the kids that are involved with the gangs to teach the negative impact of being in gangs.

Chief Duncan believes it is necessary to reach out to the citizens of Salisbury and the surrounding area for help to overcome crime. Also she feels it is important to reach out to area churches, needing their involvement to help.

Chief Duncan grew up in Dover, Delaware and worked as a seasonal police officer in Ocean City. She is very surprised at how the area has changed, relating back and remembering Salisbury from 25 years ago. The violent crime rate was surprising to her. She didn't think there could be so much social decay in such a short time. However our statistics are very similar to or parallel those that took place in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

When she arrived in Salisbury, there had been 6 homicides during the year, whereas Mount Vernon had documented 2. It is very important to recognize that every homicide weakens the community as well as instills fear. Also, statistics show, when one homicide occurs, soon after another will occur. Street crime bleeds over into the community.

Chief Duncan is in the process of gathering information and would appreciate public input and thoughts from the community. She is reaching out to law enforcement on all borders, including the Sheriff's office, State Police, Sussex County, Fruitland, Delmar, etc.

ECI parolees: She has heard that more and more released ECI inmates are staying in Salisbury. The State originally agreed to return inmates released from ECI to their home jurisdiction prior to incarceration. It started out that way, but rulings changed when family/loved ones, started moving to our area to be near ECI. When the prisoner is released on parole, they typically move in with the family member. Member Bob Hocutt suggested looking at Project Exile to see what it outlines. She wants to track the parolees in our area to see what their impact is on our society.

Chief Duncan is a proponent of citizen involvement. She wants to connect in and get neighborhoods involved. Invite flourishing neighborhoods. She also wants to experiment in the spring; set an officer in on a walking position. Set norms and standards and become a part of neighborhoods where crime is a problem, building legitimacy, trust and intelligence; getting officers out of the car. Every neighborhood will be different. The Police Officer will set the norms depending on what their needs are. Bicycle patrols also work very well.

Chief Duncan would like to develop a relationship with the WNC and determine what role we can play, working together to help reduce crime and improve our community. Some things that successful organizations have done to help:

• Neighborhood purchase a camera
• Neighborhood communicate with one another using cell phone technologies
• Neighborhood all coming together and chipping in
• Leadership attending "Citizens Police Academy"

VI. Comments, Questions & Concerns -
WET is holding 3 meetings, January 24 - 26, to gather input from the community to help formulate the new comprehensive environmental plan for Wicomico County. Please contact Karen Luckacs if you would like to help or receive more information about WET or the comp. plan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"If all of us work together to let our public officials know that we care about the future environmental and economic health of our County, we can help to shape the final version of the Comprehensive Plan to reflect these goals and values."

VII. Adjournment:
Next Business Meeting will be February 22nd, 2011. (4th Tuesdays).