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04-29-09
Operation Protect begins in Mt. Vernon May 4; important community meeting this Friday
      
WHERE IS THE OPERATION PROTECT  ZONE?
 
The Operation PROTECT zone is the entire area south of West 2nd Street to West 5th Street between South 5th Avenue and South 10th Avenue. If you reside or work in this area, you will be affected by Operation PROTECT.
 
WHAT IS OPERATION PROTECT?
 
Operation PROTECT is a comprehensive approach to reducing crime in Mount Vernon. In addition to enhanced law enforcement, city, county and private services will be deployed into your neighborhood. Residents and community leaders will be asked to participate in maintaining a cleaner, healthier and safer neighborhood. The overall mission of this operation is to reduce violent crime and strengthen public trust. 
 
Within the first two weeks of the project, the community will be asked to identify a specific project that the residents can take on with the support of city agencies. Projects might include lot cleanups, planting and beautification projects, graffiti removal, park restoration, etc. The Mount Vernon Police Department, along with city, county and private agencies, will conduct outreach through door to door canvassing and literature drops.
 
The Operation PROTECT zone accounts for just 3% of the city's population, but 25% of the city's violent crimes occur there. Almost 70% of those arrested in the zone live outside of the zone. In order to keep much of this criminal element outside of the zone, there will be traffic restrictions from 6pm until 2am. During these hours, traffic will only be allowed to enter the zone at two locations. Those being South 5th Avenue at 3rd Street and South 11th Avenue at Third Street. Only zone residents and those having a legitimate reason for being within the zone will be permitted to drive into the area. Vehicular traffic will be allowed to leave using regular exit routes from the zone.
 
Police officers will be out of their vehicles and patrolling the area, on foot, around the clock. They will be making an effort to communicate directly with the residents and we also encourage residents to reach out to these officers. Building a relationship between the community and the police is a crucial part of making this effort successful.
 
While this operation will run from May 4 through June 14th, the overarching goal is one of community empowerment and ownership which will only be accomplished through ongoing follow-up and a commitment to success from both the city and the community. Your input and participation is not only welcome, but it is required in order for Operation PROTECT to succeed.