Mott Park neighborhood group joins Facebook to stay connected, share news about crime
by Shannon Murphy The Flint Journal
Wednesday April 15, 2009, 12:48 PM
FLINT, Michigan -- A Flint neighborhood is turning it's new Facebook page into a virtual crime watch.
Mott Park resident Susan Burhans created the page to post upcoming local events and reach out to younger residents.
But following a rash of neighborhood break-ins, the Facebook group has become more focused on crime.
"The problem you have (with traditional communication) is that you have two or three neighbors that know what happens and that's it," said Marta Wyngaard, president of the Mott Park Neighborhood Association. "Having that in Facebook is a tool to help solve problems."
The Facebook group has 34 members since its inception a month ago. The biggest discussion topic is crime, with residents posting suspect details, sightings of strangers in the neighborhood and details of recent break-ins.
Many also are posting tips for their neighbors.
"Please be aware and do not leave valuables ... in your vehicles overnight," writes one member, who tells about a neighbor's truck being broken into on Frank Street at the end of March.
Another neighbor writes on the forum about starting patrols.
"We do have to unite as a neighborhood & watch out for anything out of the ordinary," writes another neighbor.
Community sites like the Mott Park Facebook group can be a valuable tool, said Bob Campbell, spokesman for the city of Flint.
"Provided it's accurate and timely, it could be a benefit," he said. "To the extent of how it's helping to keep neighbors informed in their community, it's certainly a positive tool."
Burhans, 28, who has lived in the neighborhood for four years, said her goal in starting the page was to bring neighbors together and keep them connected.
"I believe it is important to stay informed about what's going on. It effects everyone," Burhans said.
Wyngaard said the Mott Park neighborhood used to be made up of mostly older residents, but has increasingly become part of a cultural hub for young people looking to live in an urban area.
Those people typically don't read newsletters the neighborhood association sends out, nor do they have time to attend meetings. Facebook is one way to reach them.
It appears that Mott Park is the only Flint neighborhood with a Facebook page. A search of Flint groups shows that while some area churches and schools have pages, other neighborhoods do not.
"Now as people are commuting and working more, the neighborly activities have started to come through Facebook," Wyngaard said. "It's surprising for us, but really neat."
1o kids participated in the Crim Invitational on Friday night, an event they had worked towards all summer. Four of the participants entered the 3/4 mile competitive race while the other 6 ran the 1/2 mile fun run.
