Below is an e-mail from Lynn Brockwell Carey, Executive Director of the Brevard Neighborhood Development Coalition, an FCLF borrower in Brevard County. You can read her enthusiastic e-mail and the local police department reports that follow. This is a great example of community impact, and how FCLF can partner with non profit organizations throughout Florida to improve communities.
Today, an officer from the Melbourne Police Department stopped by our offices to share data related to crime in the Greater Heights block.WOW! It was so powerful, and encouraging, to see these numbers - measurable results of the positive impact that has resulted from restoration of "the Bottoms" to the Greater Heights apartments and townhomes.
Highlights of this report:
- From 2002 - 2007 there were a total of 61 violent crimes (as defined by the FBI's Uniform Crime Report) that occurred in the "Bottoms" located on Kennedy Street. "Since the demolition of 'The Bottoms' and the rebuilding of Irene Summerford Way in 2009, there have been no violent crimes reported to date!"
- From 2002 - 2009 there were 941 case reports on "Kennedy St". From 2009 - 2011 there were only 31 case reports on "Irene Summerford Way". You may recall that it was in July, 2009 that we all gathered to celebrate the completion of the Greater Heights block and to unveil the new street name.
Pictured below: Before renovation, moving in, and new homes in the Greater Heights neighborhood
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