SPRINGDALE -- Brenda Noland lives at the Springdale Housing Authority's Applegate Apartments and said its security efforts make her feel safer.
The authority's board met Wednesday and approved a five-year and annual plan. The plan is updated every year, said Debbie Bailey, executive director of the authority.
Policy Update
The authority also updated the plan to reflect its policy to provide equal eligibility, selection and admissions regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Source: Springdale Housing Authority
The plan contains multiple goals, one of which is improving quality of life. Ways to do that include improving security and providing apartments to area police officers, the plan states.
Bailey said the authority has had two units for police officers included at least since 2006, when she began working for the authority. An officer with the Lowell Police Department lives in one unit, while a security guard lives in another.
It's the officer's choice to live in one of the apartments, where they only pay for utilities but not rent, Bailey said. Officers with Springdale Police Department have lived at Applegate Apartments in the past.
The authority rents units at Applegate Apartments and apartments on Success Avenue and East Maple Avenue, Bailey said. It is federally subsidized housing.
Two people were injured and Fabian Rodriguez, 18, was fatally shot in an incident March 13 at Applegate Apartments, 32 Applegate Drive. Hector Saul Ramos, 17, was arrested in connection with those crimes, which police have said were gang related.
The presence of a police vehicle can deter crime, Bailey said. An officer in uniform can also have this effect, she said.
Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley said the department could use the apartment units as office space or a substation but doesn't have staff to do so at the moment. The department is also trying to use a broader approach and focus on the whole neighborhood, not just that complex.
Officials are also planning to add security cameras inside and outside the apartments office, Bailey said. A consultant is gathering information and will solicit bids. Officials have been discussing adding cameras for at least two years.
The authority already has motion sensors in the office, Bailey said. The discussion about the cameras began with the idea to install one at the office's front desk. Officials have since decided they would also like a couple outside the building that would show images from the streets.
Security cameras can be a crime deterrent, O'Kelley said. They can also help with solving crimes.
Bailey said the cameras could record as well, but that would be an extra expense.
There's no set date to install the cameras, but Bailey said she hopes for them to be in as soon as possible.
Bailey also said the authority plans to add solar-powered lighting to the back side of the buildings. The authority wants to use solar-powered lights so tenants won't have to pay for the electricity.
The extra light would provide added security and a deterrent for crime, Bailey said.
Noland, who lives at 18B Applegate Drive, said it's dark at night behind her apartment. A nearby street light doesn't provide enough light to that area, she said.
"Somebody could be hiding behind a bush or something," she said.
More lighting would provide a sense of safety, Noland said.
Bailey said the authority likely will need to get bids for the solar lights. She plans for the lighting to be installed this year.
Residents had a neighborhood watch meeting at the office May 18, Bailey said during Wednesday's meeting. The Police Department provided training regarding gang activity, and 26 people attended.
The authority will encourage the residents to continue these efforts, Bailey said.
"We were really happy with the outcome of that," she said.
NW News on 05/28/2015