DAYTON, Ohio — A group is looking for the best solutions to some of the familiar problems plaguing many Ohio communities.

Members are doing it by going into the community and talking to the people who really know what’s going on, the people who live there. 

What You Need To Know

  • Community partners in one Dayton neighborhood are working on a neighborhood safety plan

  • They are surveying 2,500 residents to find out their safety concerns

  • They will collect the surveys and hosting block parties to better engage the community

  • Once they've gathered all the data, they will begin working on providing resources to better improve the neighborhood

Westwood Community Ambassador Damita Norton has been going door to door, handing out community safety surveys to her Dayton neighbors. It’s all in hopes of getting others involved in ways to make the neighborhood she has called home for 20 years better. 

“Safety and drug activity are some of the mutual concerns,” said Norton. 

The community ambassadors along with the Human Relations Council, the Dayton Police Department, and the Westwood Right Project are working on a Westwood Neighborhood Safety plan.

It’s a holistic approach to identify and tackle the top community concerns. They’re doing that through surveying 2,500 of its residents. 

"It’s really just asking the community’s input, which I think is very important that the residents have a say as to what they recognize and see as a potential concern,” she said. 

That's why they'll keep knocking on doors, handing out surveys and working with community partners like Wesley Dayton and Operation Reach Back to help come up with resources to help.

This is expected to be the largest initiative in Westwood neighborhood history. Organizer Dr. Martha Hurley says community safety is bigger than just having a larger police presence. 

“Safety is about addressing the economic, the social, and environmental conditions that contribute to problems,” said Hurley. 

Going door to door is just the first step. The ambassadors are hosting a series of block parties. They’ll be collecting the surveys and at the second to last event, they’ll go over the results with everyone.

Norton believes the best solutions will come from neighbors working as one.

“Not just be participants in the survey, but to actively play a role in joining forces with us to help the community become better,” said Norton. 

BLOCK PARTY SCHEDULE:

June 4, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3730 Delphos Ave. 

June 25, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Brooklyn Ave.

July 16, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3730 Delphos Ave. 

Sept. 17, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2805 Oakridge Dr. 

Oct. 8, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3801 Fairbanks Ave.