SoDo NRZ Miinutes April 16, 2014 – Hartford Public Library lower level classroom Board Members Present: Jodi Palerma, Judy Gordon, Carol Scibaldi, Robin Zaleski, Frank Gordon-‐ Quiroga, Charlie Ortiz SoDo Members and Guests: Jeremy Howard, HFD Capt. Helene Lynch, HPD CSO Adam Demaine, HPD CSO Mike Gorman, Irena Lazik I. Call to Order by Jodi at 6:02 pm. Welcome and introductions of Board Members and guests. II. Police Report-‐ Update provided update that included the following: Overall, crime is down 22.5%. No arrests made during the UConn parade. -‐Downtown car break ins: 17 car break ins on cars parked on the street. There is a slight uptick in car break ins with the nicer weather. 6 laptops and 5 GPSs stolen in the car break ins. 3 Honda Accords stolen for parts. See police officer for a CLUB, as it is the best way to prevent Accords from being stolen. -‐Street robberies are increasing nationwide and cell phones are being stolen while in hand. Please be aware. “Apple picking” (grabbing a phone out of the user’s hand on the street) is on the rise. -‐3 burglaries as of April 14th. Reminder: If you see something suspicious call dispatcher at: 757-‐4000 Contact Lt. Jones from the HPD as final escalation if needed. III: Guest Speaker: Capt. Helene Lynch Hartford Fire Department Kitchen fires are on the rise and HFD is proactively trying to prevent. Largest cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. The HPD was awarded a FEMA grant to install 1500 smoke alarms in owner-‐ occupied 1-‐3 family homes. Phase 2 is to provide 1-‐3 family, owner occupied homes with a stove top fire device (lasts 10 years). These are free of charge and you can request one by contacting Capt. Lynch at lynch001@hartford.gov. Also note, the HFD will come to your residence for any type of question or issue regarding fire safety and prevention. IV. Committee Reports
Social: Progressive Party planning was a success and $419 was the net profit from the event. The social committee is currently brainstorming ideas to reduce operating expenses next year. In addition, more hosts are needed for next year as we had 11 attendees on the wait list! Info and photos are posted on our website at: http://sodo-‐hartford.com, which is switching from being Progressive Dinner-‐oriented to be a more general site about the NRZ. Strategic: On April 26 from 9am-‐1pm there will be a clean up day in Buckingham Square Clean-‐up Volunteer Date. $300 of the profits from the SoDo Progressive Dinner will be used to help with costs (Painting supplies, gardening etc). Please contact Charlie Ortiz for more details. Meeting adjourned at 7:15.