I would like the council to address growing concern regarding the rise of violent crime. I watched the safety meeting, but it did not adequately address the following questions.

When can we expect to see the annual reports from the police department from 2019 and 2020?

Is our police force lacking necessary resources? If so, what exactly is needed?

What specific steps are being taken to deter violent crime?

I am registering to speak as a current board member of the Lakewood Historical Society and former president of the Lakewood Planning Commission to advocate that the City take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the weathertightness and structural stability of the Curtis Block. The City administration supported the designation of this property as a Lakewood Landmark just a few years ago while I was on the Planning Commission, and the Commission agreed and designated the property as one of the local landmarks owned by the City. The City has seemingly not paid attention to the property and let it deteriorated significantly during its ownership, presumably hoping to pass required maintenance costs onto the next owner. Without emergency repairs, this continuing neglect may result in an embarrassing and somewhat hypocritical result where the City itself is responsible for allowing a local landmark to slip from good condition to a condition used to justify its demolition. I understand the redevelopment project has been delayed for numerous reasons and the pandemic has raised uncertainty, but the deterioration did not just start this past year, and the City seems to be ignoring a responsibility it purposefully undertook in order to serve as an example.

I am the city captain for the Plug-In-America Lakewood Drive Electric Day held on May 8th, 2021 from noon to 4:00 pm in the parking lot of the Winterhurst Ice Skating Rink sponsored by Serpentini Chevrolet. This is a car show for EV owners to put their vehicles on display and speak to the public about their driving experience. The event is free and open to the public. I am asking the city of Lakewood to support this event by providing city services such as: placing signage for traffic control, installing trash and recycle receptacles, providing a staffed booth with literature and answer questions about Lakewood's exemplary clean energy initiatives. City Council Members and the Mayor's Office are welcome to attend and encouraged to speak with the public at this event.