I’ve challenged all city employees to consider ways they can be even more impactful as we’ve launched Project IMPACT, an intensive community clean-up program in Little Rock neighborhoods.

Project IMPACT started back in July in the Wright Avenue neighborhood, and since then we’ve been to a different neighborhood each week. When there, we focus on litter removal, ditch cleaning, mowing overgrown weed lots and informing property owners of code violations.

This week, Project IMPACT will be focused on an area east of Fair Park Boulevard from 24^th Street south to 31^st Street.

When Project IMPACT hits a neighborhood, the City notifies residents in advance. Residents may place all bulk items on the curb for free pickup. This week, for instance, pick up of bulk items, as well as smaller items in garbage bags, will be from today to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Each week, we select a new area of emphasis based on the number of service calls that have been made to Little Rock 311, and in consultation with the Code Enforcement Division and neighborhood association leaders.

Our goal with Project IMPACT is to revitalize the areas of the city in most need of weed cutting, ditch maintenance and trash pickup. We hope to empower residents to continue the work once they see the kind of difference our intentional cleanup effort can make in their neighborhoods. The one-time emphasis provides a “restart” that should increase neighborhood pride.

Our city employees join me in taking pride in their work and efforts to improve each community. Whether we’re in Pankey or Pleasant Valley, Hanger Hill or the Heights, we want Project IMPACT to be a reminder that we’re working to beautify and improve Little Rock.

I appreciate the efforts of all our City employees, including the Public Works Department, Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, Planning Department and Parks Department for their work to help us make an impact on our community. 

I encourage Little Rock residents to check the City of Little Rock’s Facebook page to see when Project IMPACT will be in their neighborhoods.
 

It’s a privilege to have the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service as an important community partner, and the school’s Center for Community Philanthropy has been instrumental in the advancement of equity in Little Rock and the region. The Center promotes community-based philanthropy with the mission to identify “strengths, gifts and talents” in the American South.

I had the opportunity to visit with Clinton School Dean Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto and with the Community Philanthropy Center director, Charlotte Lewellen Williams, last week as the center dedicated its new space, which includes offices, classrooms, and a renovated boardroom, as well as a Healing Space. The Healing Space is specifically designed to promote and facilitate racial healing. The space is a reflection of the Center’s work over the last 13 years to move us toward racial reconciliation and healing here in Little Rock.

Healing is a collective and unifying process, which requires our full ability to listen and understand the bonds that connect us.

I’m grateful the Center has provided a space for all of us, especially people of color, and I appreciate the chance to attend the dedication.
 

Hiking with my Hero

Even today, on Halloween, when many Little Rock children are dressed as their favorite Marvel or DC characters, there’s no truer superhero than a parent. That’s why I joined students from Otter Creek Elementary last week for “Hiking with My Hero.”

The school’s parent engagement event promoted parental involvement. It offered an opportunity for students and their parents to participate together in an interactive “safari” featuring a variety of learning activities.
 

Update on homicide rate

I’ve spoken repeatedly about our efforts to reduce violent crime and the holistic, comprehensive approach we are taking to do just that. Unfortunately, our homicide rate continues to increase even as we’ve worked to significantly reduce the overall rate of violent crime this year compared to 2021.

On Sunday, the City of Little Rock experienced its 70^th homicide of 2022. This is the highest number of homicides in our city since 1993, when there was significant gang activity within the community. Unlike the 1990s, many homicides that have occurred this year are among individuals who are acquainted with each other in some way. 

It’s important that we pause to reflect on this tragic milestone, but we must also remember and grieve all the lives lost to violence. Even one homicide is one too many.

Across the nation, the homicide rate in many cities has increased during the pandemic, while access to illegal guns, socioeconomic factors and mental health concerns have attributed to the rise.

We will continue to support targeted police patrols in high-crime areas and look to our new Real Time Crime Center as yet another tool in crime prevention. The Little Rock Police Department is committed to justice for all the loved ones of homicide victims.

We recognize that prevention, intervention and treatment programs are also essential for reducing violent crime, which is why we’ve funded additional conflict resolution programs for at-risk youth and added more social workers in the community. In the coming days, our H.O.P.E. Advisory Council will make recommendations on moving forward with additional programs.

(View our full crime reduction strategy)

Crime prevention requires all of us to work together to make a difference, and I ask you to join me in doing so.