Friends,
No matter where we live in the City of Little Rock, and whatever our age, ethnicity or status, each of us offer value to the community and are an integral part of our growing, thriving city. One way the City of Little Rock promotes a sense of belonging here in the state’s Capital City is by offering the Little Rock Identification Card. This municipal ID card is available to Little Rock residents 14 and over, and it’s intended to improve access to basic services for those who don’t have a driver’s license or state-issued ID card.
This innovative ID program is the first of its kind in the South, helping incorporate residents into the local economy and supporting our public safety efforts. It serves immigrants, older adults and people experiencing homelessness, among others.
The Little Rock ID Card program was established in 2018, spearheaded by longtime City Director Joan Adcock and the Little Rock Police Department. Since that time, we’ve issued thousands of ID cards to residents who need them.
I’m extremely proud to say that, just in the first nine months of 2022, we issued 1,147 IDs to Little Rock residents, eclipsing the previous annual record. This increased focus on serving the residents of Little Rock through this program comes from my Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. That office operates the ID program primarily from the Wakefield Neighborhood Resource Center in Southwest Little Rock.
The vast majority of Little Rock residents who have received municipal IDs have told us that having an ID card helps them feel like they belong in the community, and 99 percent of them report that it makes them feel safer. Most often, municipal ID holders say they utilize their IDs to access banking services and interact with local police.
Given the clear benefits of the program, ODEI staff is undergoing further training on how to identify fraudulent documents in order to further protect the validity of this important program. We’re also working to raise awareness and use of the ID cards. We’ve launched several mobile ID clinics, including one last week at the Chicot Elementary community school café, and we’ve had several other cities contact us about starting ID programs in their own communities. We helped North Little Rock launch its program just this year.
We will continue to bridge access and opportunity with our Municipal ID program. The cost of an ID is $10, and residents are required to have documents that prove their identity and Little Rock residency upon issuance of a municipal ID.
To learn more, including requirements for obtaining an ID card visit the City's website.
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Mural for a Legend
The Downtown Little Rock Partnership is a major contributor to the success, viability and growth of our downtown corridor. Over the last few years, DLRP has emphasized public art as a way to improve Downtown, and it celebrated its newest addition last week, a larger-than-life mural featuring the legendary Arkansas musician, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
The mural, “Shout Sister Shout!” is located in the alley of 108 W. Sixth St., beside Bella Vita Jewelry. It was painted by artist Jessica Jones. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a trailblazing performer known as the “Godmother of Rock and Roll” who continues to inspire musicians.
I agree with DLRP Executive Director Gabe Holmstrom, who told media at the mural dedication that public art helps to encourage more investment and activity downtown. I’m grateful to everyone who participated in this project and other efforts to improve our community.
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The Downtown Little Rock Partnership celebrates the unveiling of the new "Shout Sister Shout!" mural downtown on 6th Street west of Main.
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East Clinic Celebrates 50th
Since 1972, residents from the East End and across the region have had access to affordable health care at the East Clinic, and last week representatives from the City and from CHI St. Vincent gathered to observe the 50th anniversary of the clinic.
The CHI St. Vincent Community Care – East Clinic is located in the Nathaniel W. Hill East Little Rock Community Center. The City of Little Rock provides support to the clinic, which serves thousands of patients each year. Many would not have access to health and dental services without the East Clinic.
I appreciate LaValeria Saxton-Smith, the clinic’s practice manager, and the staff at the clinic for their dedication to their patients and the community. The clinic is also supported by many volunteers, including several retired doctors, who provide support and assistance.
Health equity is about meeting people where they live, and we do that through partnerships with places like the East Clinic. Our City is fortunate to have a comprehensive health care system that meets the needs of the community.
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The Week Ahead
- Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election began today at various locations throughout the City. Please exercise your right to vote!
- The Little Rock Board of Directors meets Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m., at the Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The board will consider its agenda for next week’s meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages. To view the agenda, click here.
- To observe the annual Red Ribbon Week, the City is taking part in a rally at First Security Ampitheater, 400 President Clinton Ave., on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated in October each year, and it’s the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign.
- The City Beautiful Commission meets Thursday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. at the Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. The commission is responsible for reviewing requests for variances to the city Landscape Ordinance and for considering other beautification and landscape issues in Little Rock.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram via @citylittlerock. You can also email me at mayorscott@littlerock.gov or call my office at 501.371.4744.
I appreciate you!
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