Mott Park residents protest at City Hall

Mott Park residents protested rising crime at Flint City Hall Oct. 23 precipitated by the Oct. 22 shooting of 77 year old resident, Pat Gillespie.

Mott Park Neighborhood Association President Marta Wyngaard-Tavakoli said that the protest was intended to increase awareness of the overall problems in the neighborhood. The protest was attended by about 25 residents. Flint Public Relations Director Dawn Jones spoke to the residents.

As a result of the protest, police attention has increased, says Wyngaard-Tavakoli, but many suspected criminals reappear in the area within days.

Wyngaard-Tavakoli believes that the shooting was a "tipping point" of the issue of city crime. Wyngaard-Tavakoli says she has witnessed rising prostitution, petty crime and apathy by fleeing neighborhood residents during her three years as president. She described the neighborhood as a once vibrant community now plagued by an "economy of crime." Falling property values and a lack of communication between the community and the city government have made an ideal setting for opportunistic crimes.

"We are products of GM," Wyngaard-Tavakoli said, referring to the "segregated structure between workers and management, same as is instituted across the Flint government and people."

Although critical of the lack of communication, Wyngaard-Tavakoli believes that community involvement and education are the answer to the area - problems.

"People want the city to do everything when it doesn't have money," Wyngaard-Tavakoli said. For her part she goes door to door mobilizing residents, asking each of them to call 10 more with the same message.

Resident Dr. Theodosia (Teddy) Robertson is working with other neighborhood associations to form a larger group. According to Robertson, "Today it - Mott Park, maybe tomorrow it - their area. We need a systemic approach to neighborhood rehabilitation."

At an Oct. 30 meeting at Rube - Bar and Grill on Chevrolet Avenue, Mayor Dayne Walling and Chief of Police Alvern Lock listened to complaints and spoke to residents about the lack of funds in the city. Walling also discussed his plan to reopen police mini-stations in all wards.

Robertson appreciates the gesture, but feels that increased communication between residents and police is essential to reducing crime. She wants residents to have involvement in the mayor - plan for the city, not just submit their grievances.

Wyngaard-Tavakoli believes that rental owners are to blame for not policing their residents. She described absent rental landlords as "silent partners in crime." She has spoken with the Genesee County Health Department, the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce to request training for residents to work with delinquent rental landlords, but received little or no response.

What - the future for Mott Park neighborhood?

Wyngaard-Tavakoli - term as president ends in November, but regardless of the election results she says she will continue to work with city officials and residents to bring about change.

Robertson has moved her laptop to the dining room window, where she can keep watch on suspicious activities and warn residents on Mott Park - Facebook page.