Listening to our neighbors

1. Listening to our neighbors The Safe & Thriving Community Planning Report by the Neighborhood Navigators

2. Over the summer, Neighborhood Navigators attended dozens of community events, spoke to hundreds of residents, collected over 80 surveys and facilitated six focus groups. This report includes a summary of their findings. ** The Northside had a particularly violent summer with multiple shootings. We believe that some of the responses were colored by this increase in violence. People who may have identified more structural concerns were focused on the immediate need of keeping themselves and their families safe.

3. Survey Respondents Demographic Breakdown Race and Ethnicity 51% of respondents identified as Black or African American 21% of respondents identified as White or Caucasian 6% of respondents identified as Latina/Latino/Latinx 2% of respondents identified as Hmong 20% of respondents identified as other or chose not to respond Age 57% of respondents identified as over the age of 25 37% of respondents identified as under the age of 25 6% of respondents did not answer the question about age Gender Identity 48% of respondents identified as male 42% of respondents identified as female 10% of respondents chose not to identify

4. Summary of Results by Demographic Group • African American Residents • Many black residents feel a strong sense of community (50%) • Voiced concern about violence, access to guns, gangs, and/or a need for more safety (27%) • Many residents believe that there is a strong need and a critical lack of activities and engagement opportunities for kids and teenagers (17%) • Need more safe housing options, too many people in a small area causes conflict (16%) • Lack of affordable places to buy groceries, Willy St. Coop has the reputation of being really expensive (10%) • Need more economic development and living wage jobs (9%)

5. Summary of Results by Demographic Group • Caucasian Residents • Concerns about safety and gun violence (69%) • Feel satisfied with the quality of the schools (46%) • Like the natural environment and access to parks and green space (46%) • The Northside needs more economic and commercial development (38%) • Need more programming for youth (23%) • Concerns about pedestrian safety and speed especially around kids (23%) • Voiced support for a splash pad or pool (23%)

6. Summary of Results by Demographic Group • Residents Under 25 years of age • Concerns about violence (74%) • Feel connected to the neighborhood (30%) • Parents Cause Conflicts (22%) • There is too much access to drugs (22%) • Need more activities for kids (17%) • Need more entry level jobs (9%) • Better housing options (4%)

7. Summary of Results by Demographic Group • Residents Over 25 years of age • Concerns about violence (30%) • There needs to be more economic opportunities at entry level (26%) • Need more affordable groceries (10%) • There are issues with domestic violence and other home issues (10%) • Appreciate the nature (8%) • There is a need for more programming for kids (6%) • Appreciate the programs, library, and community centers (5%) • Want a splash pad (3%)

8. Northside Residents on Transportation • Lack of transportation plays a role in food insecurity - It is hard to get to an affordable grocery store from the Northside • Public transportation is erratic • Routes end too early, no late transportation • Takes a long time to get to other neighborhoods

9. Northside Residents on Food Security • Need a more affordable grocery option, like an Aldi’s • A significant number of students go to school hungry - 20+ kids were showing up to our youth group to partake in a meal • East is far away for students, bus transportation takes a while

10. Northside Residents on Childcare • Childcare is expensive and hard to find • There are not enough stable and reliable daycare options; many residents have to rely on unstable or unregulated child care • There are not enough options for parents who work second or third shift jobs or on weekends • There is a lack of center based care on the Northside • There are not enough spots for infants under 1 year old • There is no option for short term care (a couple hours at a time) • Pre-school is cost prohibitive for many families • There is a pervasive perception that parents do not care about their children • Many families do not have affordable access to internet to monitor school aged children and communicate with schools

11. Northside Residents on Employment • There is a lack of job opportunities • There are very few living wage jobs on the Northside • There are very few businesses owned by people of color and women • There are not enough jobs that are flexible and/or family friendly • Not enough jobs provide benefits and competitive pay • Difficult for people to find employment because of other barriers: childcare, transportation, insecure housing, etc. • Not enough entry level jobs • Many residents do not have affordable access to the Internet for applying for jobs • The Northside needs more economic and commercial development to bring new jobs • Oscar Meyer was a huge loss to the community, people are anxious about what will take the space and how that will impact the Northside

12. Northside Residents on Housing • Rent is very high • Low-income housing has a long waiting list, plus 'Affordable Housing' is not truly affordable because it takes 50 to 60% of a person’s income. • Single-family homes are normally run-down. Most people need assistance to revitalize their homes because, with their income, they can not afford to do it. • It’s also hard to get an apartment or house that’s well managed because of economic hardships, poor rental history, and/or criminal history. • There are also a lot of inappropriate activities going on in the neighborhoods and apartment complexes. (examples: drug issues, violence and all different types of abuse). • Too much density in low-income housing • Too many slumlords; low-income people unaware of their rights as tenants • Need working security cameras

13. Northside Residents on Education • Northside residents feel that "You need to fight for a good education." • Kids with learning or physical disabilities tend to be overlooked and not watched for carefully. • Kids coming to school from such different starting points, it’s hard for them to catch up. • Youth need someone to advocate for them - “If it’s not the parents then someone in the school needs to be involved 100% of the time! • School district struggles to meet the needs of students with mental health needs • Many students attending school without having the ability to meet their basic needs (coming to school hungry or without basic supplies and appropriate clothing)

14. Northside Residents on Sense of Belonging • Youth want to know there voice is being heard and actively participate in the community, and being accepted as they are. • Everyone wants to be a part of something • Want to feel like you can trust your neighbors, get to know your neighbors • Like community events/Northside pride and need more spaces to bring people together • Want to see Cohesiveness/getting along • Need for cultural respect and responsiveness • The people and families are the best part of the neighborhood

15. Northside Residents on Safety • Violence is a top concern, especially gun violence • Young kids getting a hold of guns • Concerns about gang activity • Children are witnessing crime too often • Adults bringing youth into adult conflicts • Residents don’t feel safe walking in some areas, would like to see more security • People drive poorly and too fast - Want more speed bumps, well lit tunnels or overpass for pedestrians • Residents are trying to watch out for one another. • More place where kids can play outside safely • Occasional drama with neighbors • “A safe and thriving community is safe, everyone getting along, decent schools, has people who are respectful and help the community grow

16. Northside Residents on Youth Programming • Youth want to be heard and know that their ideas and opinions have value • Youth want access to more positive activities, especially for middle and high school kids, including sports, fitness, computers, job training, financial literacy, music, arts and dance • Youth want to work opportunities • Youth, especially teens, need safe places to go like a recreation center, outdoor spaces, pool, splash pad and coffee shop • Sustainable activities that youth can participate in with their families and other positive adults • Kipling, Brentwood and other low-income areas have no community center • More meetings with teenagers and police officers • Warner Park is not welcoming to all ages

17. Northside Residents on Criminal Justice • Residents are very concerned about crime, especially drug activity, stealing and violence • Want to be respected and listened to by the police (Respect for Officer Dex) • Worried about racial disparities in arrest, prosecution, conviction and incarceration rates • Need more community policing • Residents respect Officer Dex

18. Northside Residents on Grassroots Leadership • Underfunded programs • City doesn't focus on the needs of the Northside

19. Northside Residents on Racial Justice • The police are targeting men of color • Achievement gap continues to be an issue at Northside serving schools • Many white people oblivious to the existence of racial injustice • By numbers, Northside is racially diverse but where people are actually living, it is racially segregated.

20. Northside Residents – General Comments • Beautiful green spaces and trees and lots of parks. • Amazing library • Support for the elderly and people with disabilities • Need more community gardens • Lack of public recreational centers