WHY we're doing this?

• From June 18, 2006 to June 18, 2007 717 calls to law enforcement were made regarding Dunbar Village public housing complex.
• HUD send out a survey to Dunbar Village residents asking about safety. Of those who responded, the consensus was that there were safety issues and they didn't feel safe.
• June 18, 2007 a Haitian single mother was gang raped, her 12-year-old son was beaten. Mother and son were forced to perform sex acts with each other. Chemicals were poured in his eyes, in the mother (to gt rid of possible DNA evidence) and the rapists searched for a lighter (presumably to light mom and son on fire).
• Only four of the rapists have been caught. Anywhere from two to four are still on the loose.
• State Representative Priscilla Taylor requested HUD get rid of West Palm Beach Housing Authority Commissioner Laurel Robinson and the board. They replied that WPBHA has been and continues to be a top performer.
• In November 2007, a male attacked his pregnant ex-girlfriend with a metal crowbar. Days later he was apprehended by police in Dunbar Village. It leads one to believe he felt relatively safe from getting caught when he returns to the scene of his crime.
• At least one child ate paint chips off the wall. WPBHA's fix was to simply paint over it with the same chipping, cheap paint.
• Residents have called the property manager and received no response. They resorted to calling the mayor's office in hopes City Hall could get the property manager to acknowledge the concerns of the residents. Even then, it still took over two weeks for a response.
• The residents, led by a strong and resourceful Ms. Grenwood, have decided they are done with this commissioner and her board. The townhall meeting will consist of talking directly to a HUD representative to speak of their concerns and complaints. And also, demand their elected officials represent them.
• The residents want Laurel Robinson and the entire board removed from their positions.

Still Plugging Along

As you can see from the sidebar some local and state politicians have let it be known they will attend the meeting.

CG, the Dunbar Village (DV) resident who is planning the Townhall Meeting is going to City Hall to try and get this meeting put on the mayor's calendar.

I spoke with the Director of HUD's Miami Office, Armando Fana, a couple of weeks back. He agreed to have a HUD representative come to the meeting in order to hear the complaints of the residents. Because a HUD representative is slated to be there, Laurel Robinson was contacted.

This morning I contacted a managing editor of one of the stations down in West Palm to start greasing the wheels on getting the media attention ready.

CG will also speak with a principal of one of the local schools.

Monday I have a few more phone calls to make. Shane and Shecodes are on the ball as always. They will draft a letter that will be out of this world.

Fal will be working on flyers that will be passed out to the residents and posted online.

I love ACTION. Don't you?