Good news from southeast Iowa City

Iowa City Council members made a smart move when they voted Monday to establish a police substation in southeastern Iowa City. It will serve as a home base for Iowa City Police crime prevention officer Jorey Bailey, giving neighbors in this sometimes troubled area ready access to police.

But more than that, the substation, which could open in Pepperwood Plaza as early as Aug. 1, will be a symbol of the city's willingness to invest in neighborhoods south of Highway 6.

And as part of a diverse handful of new initiatives, it sends a clear message that there are plenty of resources for folks looking for ways to engage and invest in the places they live - and plenty of eyes on those few who'd rather cause trouble.

Last summer it seemed the only news coming out of southeastern Iowa City was the bad kind: report after report of vandalism, crime and full-on, multigenerational street brawls. But this year, the news has been overwhelmingly positive: Kids are enjoying a new Wetherby Park splashpad and meeting with tutors at the Broadway Neighborhood Center. Adults are keeping an eye on things through Neighborhood Watch groups. Earlier this month, the seeds were sown for the first time in the community garden at Fair Meadows Park.

Yes, the seeds of neighborhood renewal are being planted all over southeastern Iowa City, and the police substation is just one more example. Neighbors should return the favor and take full advantage of this opportunity to help the neighborhood continue to flourish.

Bailey's been an Iowa City Police officer for years, but in the last 10 months he's worked as a crime prevention officer - working with neighborhood associations, neighborhood centers and other non-profit groups, stopping in at summer camps, coordinating graffiti cleanup and attending lots of meetings. “I try to stop in and add a friendly face to the uniform,” he said. He comes in contact with hundreds of people each week.

When Bailey started attending meetings and community events last September, people would ask him “Why are you here?” They assumed there was trouble if a uniformed policeman was on the scene. But now they're getting used to seeing him around - a consistent reminder that police are watching, and they're there to help.

Planting Bailey in the heart of things will only reinforce all this good work. “We're breaking down some of the formal walls and saying, ‘This is open for your use,'” Bailey said. “This is open.'”

So come on in, neighbors. Make yourselves at home.

Comments: (319) 339-3154; jennifer.hemmingsen@gazcomm.com