Of the 280-plus households that were surveyed it was found that there is an average of 4.6 people living in each dwelling unit with 1.8 people employed per household. Owner-occupied made up 47.5 percent of those households surveyed with the balance listed as renters. Household income was below $20,000 annually for 53.8 percent of those surveyed, with 34.1 percent earning less than $40,000 per year, 9.2 percent earn less than $60,000 and 2.9 percent earn more than $60,000 annually.Almost half of all residents surveyed said they would take an active role in neighborhood improvement.Noise ranked as the number one problem, followed by fear for personal safety and desire for more police patrols, housing, vehicles speeding, gang activity, trash, poverty, drug-alcohol abuse, street repair/cleaning, graffiti and curfew violators.Sgt. Marshall noted that one of the requirements of the Weed & Seed grant is that the targeted area must have a ?safe haven, which the Las Piedras Park Community Policing Building is considered; we?re starting to look for other safe havens,? that could also help the surrounding areas qualify for grant funding. ?With all the help of the community and those at the Las Piedras Park building, it?s been going very well and we?re very optimistic,? that the application will be successful.
Weed & Seed: Survey results for federal law enforcement grant released
October 19, 2001
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Weed & Seed: A Las Piedras Community Strategy, will soon be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice to see if the city can qualify for a $1.125 million grant to ?weed out? criminals and plant the ?seed? of human services and revitalization.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula Weed & Seed: A Las Piedras Community Strategy, will soon be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice to see if the city can qualify for a $1.125 million grant to ?weed out? criminals and plant the ?seed? of human services and revitalization.According to SPPD Sgt. Gary Marshall, up to 49 percent of grant funding can go to law enforcement with an emphasis on community policing and youth programs; the balance is earmarked for community projects ranging from housing to on-site family counseling, a ?broad array of projects and services to revitalize the community, including crime intervention-prevention programs.?A major component of the grant application was an ambitious survey to determine the makeup of the Las Piedras neighborhood and what residents see as strengths, weaknesses and needs.