BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
Hundreds of people attended the block party on the 2100 block of Earl Avenue on Saturday. Officials of the Long Beach Police Department said it was another step in the effort to take the streets back from gangs. Billed as “Wrigley Taking Back Earl,” the event included the efforts of community activists, neighborhood associations, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) several city departments and several nonprofit organizations.
Similar to the “Taking Back Pine” and “Taking Back Locust” gatherings earlier this year, “Taking Back Earl” began with a cleanup of the area, which began at 10 a.m. The block party began at noon and lasted until 3 p.m. The entire block was closed to motor vehicles during the cleanup and celebration.
“This day was fabulous,” said Annie Greenfeld-Wisner, president of the Wrigley Association and member of the Neighborhood Advisory Group— the two associations that took the lead in organizing the day’s activities. “We had well over 100 volunteers participating in the cleanup,” she said.
Long Beach First Lady Nancy Foster, Police Chief Tony Batts, Deputy Chief Robert Luna and 6th District City Councilman Dee Andrews participated in the event. Andrews and his staff participated in the cleanup and donated chips and drinks for the event as did the 1st and 7th district council offices.
“We look for streets that are really challenged with crime and gang members,” explained David Carlton, former Wrigley Association president and current board member. “We try to get the neighbors out talking to each other, creating a sense of community.”
The block party featured games and activities for kids and adults, as well as free food and soft drinks. LBPD officers grilled hot dogs and served them as well as popcorn, snacks and beverages to long lines of people of all ages. City departments and other organizations manned booths that offered literature describing their services and contact phone numbers.
“We are trying to bring peace to the neighborhood and show people how they can take back their streets and sidewalks,” said Greenfield Weisner. “We are trying to form neighborhood watch groups wherever we have these events and we encourage people to join the neighborhood associations in their area.”
She explained that the events also dramatically show people the power of working together. With so many neighbors and activists on the street, gang members and drug dealers kept away or at least kept a very low profile- a sharp contrast to the days that they loiter in front of homes intimidating residents and passersby.
Greenfield Weisner stressed that one of the most important things the events accomplish is that they open up lines of communication between residents and police. “They also learn whom to contact in the city to get things done,” she said. “We are basically just trying to give people a start.”
She said the other two events were very successful and people from Pine and Locust Avenues are still in touch with NAG and the Wrigley Association. “We’ve even picked up a few memberships today from people that live on the 2100 block of Earl,” she said with a smile. “I am so happy that we can do these events and the 6th District Council Office supports us.”
“’Taking Back Earl’ was a huge success and we’re really excited about that,” Carlton noted. “It has started planting the seeds of change. It only takes a few good people who take pride in their homes to get involved in the neighborhood to make a really huge impact. They have the ability to touch lives and change their corner of the world.”
LBPD Lieutenant Robert Smith said he too was very pleased with the success of Saturday’s event. He noted that by participating in the “Taking Back” events, the LBPD hopes to establish partnerships between the police, the community and various city departments. He added that something as simple as neighbors getting to know each other always has a positive impact on a community. “Today was an absolute blowout with over 100 volunteers who showed up to meet the residents on Earl Avenue and help them make this a better neighborhood,” he said. “A lot of people had a good time and got to know each other.”
Smith explained that Earl Avenue and the surrounding area have been plagued by gang activity and illegal drug sales for some time. “The police can’t fight these things alone. We need the residents to work with us,” Smith said. “Today was the residents’ opportunity to get out in a safe environment and get involved, and to build relationships with the police department so we can help them make their neighborhood a safe place to live.”
Smith also stressed that the LBPD owes a debt of gratitude to all the organizations and city departments that worked together to make the event happen. “We were part of it, but we could not have done it without them,” he said. “I especially want to thank the event coordinator, P.G Herman, who worked very hard to blend the efforts of all the groups and individuals who were here today.”
The lieutenant noted that in each of the “Taking Back” events, the LBPD has formed some long-lasting relationships between the residents, the police and some of the volunteers that have helped set things up.” He said he was sure those relationships had impacted crime on those streets, but he didn’t have the statistics.
“We are empowering people to take back their neighborhoods and make them better places to live,” Greenfield Weisner said. “I think we all feel good about that.”
