Ideas on needle problems-nyc ideas

**D* B* <d*@yahoo.com>**

In response to Charles' question about needles in the
schoolyard garden area in Toronto, from Louise M. of
NYC -

Before a garden group was organized, new residents of
a subsidized 
apartment
complex pestered the NYC Dept. of Health who came and
cleared out the
rubbish, mowed down the overgrown weeds behind and
through which (very 
DENSE
growths 6' high) Needle Park occurred;  and Dept of
Sanitation to 
remove
left-behind construction trailers in which prosties
and junkies took 
turns
dealing, livingl

Then, the garden group -- and since -- has involved
the local Police
Precinct to klekep an eye out, patrolling drivebys,
etc.;  and Police
Commuiity Affairs Officer has
spoken of value to various clubs,  apartment housing
meetings,  
community
group meetings,  all of which seems to have helped.

We still get the rare used needle, but as the gardens
are open to the
sidewalk and street, with steel mesh wire fencing
donated by the City,
there is no real place to sit and hide or sleep.  Our
biggest problem 
now is
minor vandalism:
stolen plants around holidays, occasional small garden
statuary taken 
from
individual beds,

Perhaps the fact that we have at least one major
Special Event per 
month
open (free) to the
neighborhood helps also.  Flea Markets,  Theatre
weekends,  Art 
Exhibit,
Easter Egg Hunt,
'Halloween Party, 9-11-01 Memorial Service, etc.

Keeping the garden open to view is a major necessity. 
That includes 
fencing
it in at the rear, still mesh see-through, so that
passersby and 
neighbors
in buildings overlooking the garden can view goings-on
-- if something 
bad,
they call the police.

Hope some of the above ideas are of help to you.

LM

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