Pride In Enid Project "Enid Beautification is our Responsibility"

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Enid is a city with a population of approximately 45,000 people located in Northwest Oklahoma. Like most cities in the United States, the city administrations were forced to downsize over the past decade. These cuts have affected the appearance of our town, and lowered the public's expectation of the standard of living. The Police Chief, District Attorney's Office, Department of Correction's, and city representation met on several occasions. As the word spread, more entities become involved and attended the meetings. The result of these meetings produced the "Pride in Enid Project."

The Enid Police Department and City of Enid Development Services have combined efforts to engage in a massive citywide cleanup and revitalization effort. In fact, this effort involves all the departments within the city and the whole community. This project is more than just a partnership; it involves each and every one of our citizens! It is our intent that the development of this program will promote community involvement. Citizens will take "Pride" in their properties, and become involved in the cleanup effort.

Our city is divided into five policing zones. Within these zones we have targeted five sub-zones. Along with their normal duties, the officers are patrolling their sub-zones and documenting Care of Premise violations. Once a report has been generated, the Pride in Enid Project Coordinator intercepts and reviews its contents. He then acts upon the report by: (1) The report is forwarded to the code department if it does not indicate assistance is needed. (2) If the need for assistance is recognized at this stage, every effort to coordinate a volunteer group cleanup is exhausted, if cleanup cannot be organized and the customer qualifies, the coordinator begins the process to assist the customer using the Pride in Enid Assistance Program.

Another part of our program is utilizing the Department of Correction's Enid Community Corrections Center Prisoners Public Works Project and the Garfield County Community Service Sentencing Program as a work task force. We are using these resources along with full-time and seasonal City of Enid Employees. The work task force is sent through the sub-zone once all violations are documented; they cleanup city property and right-of-ways. Not only does this promote individual involvement, it also ensures the citizens of Enid we are persistent with our goals and objectives.

Once our officers complete a sub-zone, they move to the adjacent designated sub-zone. At this time we begin to organized neighborhood watch programs. The zone officers are engaged in these activities, and the citizens get to know them on a first name basis. As we move through these targeted areas, you can see a dramatic change immediately. Our efforts change the attitude, appearance, and overall living conditions of the entire neighborhood. Without a doubt, crime statistics in that area begin to drop, citizens feel safer in their homes, and community development is increased.