Wellington’s Neighborhood Services Department is continuing its Safe Neighborhoods initiative with a series of upcoming “Walk & Talk” events.
Neighborhood advocates, code compliance officers and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies are visiting residents in communities around the village from 5 to 7 p.m. to hear concerns and discuss neighborhood issues.
Vice Mayor John Greene attended his first Walk & Talk recently in the Yarmouth neighborhood, where he was able to see firsthand what was going on in the community.
Greene noticed a warm response from residents, whose stories were much more positive and encouraging than he initially expected.
“I think they were a little surprised, but very happy to share what they see on a daily basis,” Greene said. “I think they were flattered to be able to have an opportunity to reach out to the various levels of government, of law enforcement, in a way that is typically not what they’ve experienced.”
Over the years, there has been a great deal of conversation dedicated to how to improve older, often multi-family Wellington neighborhoods. “They’ve heard a lot of promises and haven’t seen a lot of action,” Greene said. “They’re finally seeing some of the actions that they’ve been promised and hoping for.”
Many of the actions have been a direct result of the work of Neighborhood Services Director James Poag and his staff.
The Safe Neighborhoods initiative began in 2009 as a way for the village to protect and increase the quality of life for residents in multi-family neighborhoods, Poag said.
“We dedicated a community policeman team to go out there with us and speak with the residents about crime and other issues in their neighborhoods,” he said.
Typically, four or five staff members participate in the Walk & Talk events, which are posted on the village web site and calendar. Walking around the neighborhood and conversing with residents provides the opportunity for people to raise concerns.
“I give a lot of credit to James and his department for having the vision to get closer to the neighborhood, reach out to the residents and understand exactly what’s important to them,” Greene said. “My experience, in meeting some of the folks last week, is that they were very happy to see the interest, not only from our Safe Neighborhoods program, but the PBSO.”
There has been significant improvement in the last year, Greene added, and this is reflected in the openness and enthusiasm of residents who, in the past, might have encountered local government only in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Poag agreed that the residents are glad to be taking part in the program. “They are excited about the program and the Walk & Talks and the other initiatives that we have in the office,” he said. “It provides the residents an avenue to voice their concerns and be heard. We’re getting ready to do some more neighborhood improvement projects. We have built some parks for the children. The residents really have embraced the program because they see positive things.”
Residents have also seen a significant decrease in crime over the past several years as a direct result of this program and community policing, Poag said.
Greene agreed, explaining that compliance in code enforcement is essential, helping to create a safe environment and keep landlords in check. Compliance is not limited to landscaping and trash, but extends to maintaining roofs, neighborhood lighting and safe building construction.
There are, however, other topics to address. One of the biggest complaints village staff members have heard, Poag said, is that many of the neighborhoods look dated. Updated lighting and other projects to improve neighborhood aesthetics are on the list of things the village would like to accomplish.
“We want people to know that Wellington is committed to preserving the quality of life for our residents, and we do our best to provide the services needed to do that,” Poag said.
The message is getting through, as residents recently told Greene that they have noticed positive advances over the past year.
“James Poag has done an outstanding job, and I think it’s great to have him in that position,” Greene said. “I think he understands the challenges facing these neighborhoods. Just watching him walk around and shake hands — it really is inspiring to see. I think they felt that. The people in the communities really felt that somebody is listening and somebody cares.”
All walks are scheduled for Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
July communities and streets are Hyacinth Place on July 9, Goldenrod Road on July 16, Guilford Villas on July 23 and the 12th Fairway on July 30.
August walks will be White Pine Drive on Aug. 8, the Periwinkle community on Aug. 13, the Mulberry/Staghorn community on Aug. 20 and the Hawthorne community on Aug. 27.
September dates are Folkestone Circle on Sept. 3, Yarmouth Drive on Sept. 10, Peconic Court on Sept. 17 and Westhampton Circle on Sept. 24.
“I want to do more of these, and I want to get out and hear what the residents are saying,” Greene said. “We’ve been talking about some of the higher-profile issues that take place in Wellington, but these are good, hard-working people who are in Wellington for all the same reasons — to raise their kids and have a safe place, and they deserve that.”
To contact the Walk & Talk Team, e-mail safeneighborhoods@wellingtonfl.gov or call (561) 791-4796. For more about Wellington programs, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.
