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Friends,
The City of Little Rock is a safer city because of the comprehensive and coordinated efforts of the Little Rock Police Department, community leaders and advocates across the city. Currently, Little Rock's violent crime rate is down 5 percent since last year and the homicide rate has dropped by 33 percent. These trends illustrate how a holistic approach to crime reduction can have a positive impact. Yet, there's still work to do.
That's why I asked the Little Rock Board of Directors to approve the creation of the City's first Public Safety Commission. This resident-led board will amplify voices within the community in partnership with the City and LRPD as we shape our violence reduction strategies. The Board overwhelmingly approved an ordinance establishing the commission, and the Public Safety Commission's work will start by the end of this year.
This Commission will be a fundamental component of our overall response to crime in the state's capital city. We will engage community members with diverse perspectives. It will increase resident engagement and help us establish a more unified response to ongoing public safety concerns. Membership will include community member representing each ward of the City, six at-large members and one representative from the Board of Directors. They are expected to meet regularly to make recommendations to the Board on proposals that will help the City further reduce violent crime.
The Little Rock Police Department and our Children, Youth and Families Commission, among others, supported establishment of the Public Safety Commission. Initially, the HOPE Advisory Council I appointed last year proposed the Public Safety Commission as part of its recommendations package. That council recognized the value and effectiveness of community input and engagement, and asked the City to put into place a permanent Commission to evaluate and offer solutions and potential legislation.
We continue to allocate time, money and resources toward crime reduction, whether it be through staffing and technology upgrades at LRPD or investments in evidence-based programming and intervention. With the Public Safety Commission on board, we will actively engage more residents, identify problems and their underlying causes, and work toward solutions.
Our efforts thus far have been successful, but it's important we keep working to make our streets and neighborhoods safer. This additional collaboration among stakeholders across Little Rock will improve quality of life and place for all of us.
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Downtown Master Plan Kickoff
Join us Wednesday for a Community Kickoff Open House as we launch Little Rock's first-ever Downtown Master Plan. The event is at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St., at 6 p.m. Anyone with an interest in how we are growing and shaping our downtown core for the future is welcome to attend.
At the kickoff event, all stakeholders, including residents and business owners, may offer feedback and learn more about the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan.
The Board of Directors this summer allocated $745,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for the plan. Heading up the process will be Sasaki, a leading international design firm that has guided downtown planning processes in places like Raleigh, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and Houston, Texas. Sasaki's responsibility is to analyze our current efforts and build off those successes to develop a plan that will guide our capital projects and regulatory policy for the next decade and beyond.
This process marks a pivotal moment in our Downtown resurgence, and it's important that we hear from as many voices as possible. I have appointed members of stakeholder groups to serve on key committees over the next few months, and we need wide-ranging public feedback as well. As the heartbeat of the City and Central Arkansas, everyone in Little Rock and the region should have an interest in the success and vibrancy of Downtown Little Rock.
Please make a plan to come to the Community Kickoff Open House, then participate in additional feedback sessions, including meetings and public surveys. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 10, you can learn more about the Master Plan and offer ideas at http://downtownlittlerock.engage.sasaki.com/
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National Night Out
It was great to see so many friends and neighbors on Oct. 3 as the City of Little Rock marked National Night Out with more than a dozen events across the City. I witnessed first-hand the community spirit shared by all our neighborhoods, who welcomed each other and city employees for a time of fellowship and fun.
I hope you were able to attend the National Night Out events near you, and that you had a chance to meet with me or representatives of my office, as well as the men and women of our Little Rock Police Department and the dedicated staff of our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs.
National Night Out is a great reminder of the strength and resiliency of our neighborhoods, and we're thankful for the kindness and hospitality shown to LRPD and other City staff by our residents.
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Ship Decommissioned
The USS Little Rock, a Naval warship in service since late 2017, was decommissioned by the U.S. Navy during a ceremony on Sept. 29 at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. The Little Rock is one of several littoral combat ships that were recently decommissioned by the Navy.
Ron Maxwell joined a delegation from Little Rock for the commissioning ceremony in 2017 and also represented the City of Little Rock at the decommissioning. He presented a proclamation on behalf of the City for that occasion.
It was an honor for the City of Little Rock to have bearing its name in service to the United States. Most recently, it had been involved in drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean Sea.
I especially appreciate the commanding officers and crew of the vessel. Sailors on the USS Little Rock were known as "War Hawgs."
It's uncertain what the Navy will do with the vessel post-decommissioning.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. At this session, the board will set the agenda for its next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages.
- The Little Rock Planning Commission's monthly meeting is Thursday, Oct. 12, at 4 p.m. at The Centre at University Park. The Planning Commission considers rezoning requests and hears other matters related to planning, development and zoning.
- The City's Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs will host a public meeting to discuss community development initiatives and opportunities on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. The public is invited to attend and share input.
- The first of three quarterly meetings for residents to learn more about the Little Rock Police Department is set for Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at the 12th Street Station, 3917 W. 12th St. LRPD staff will hear from residents and provide statistics and information about law enforcement and crime prevention.
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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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