Manager, police chief to meet residents

El Portal will hold a `meet and greet' to promote networking between residents and village officials.


By RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal residents can meet with village police and other officials later this month to talk about issues in the community.

Village manager Jason Walker and Police Chief Eugene Morales will host a meet-and-greet event at 6 p.m. on May 19 at the intersection of Northeast 90th Street and Third Avenue. Police officers will close off the street.

All residents are welcome. Free snacks and refreshments will be available.

Residents will have an opportunity to discuss village issues.

``There is always a need for people to know who their manager and chief are in case they have questions or concerns,'' Walker said.

The effort will serve as an encouragement to unite El Portal, which has about 2,500 people according to the most recent census data.

``We want to try to build a network where people get to know each other and exchange cellphone numbers,'' Walker said.

Topics for discussion will include Crime Watch, how to secure homes against crime, and anything else participants want to discuss.

Walker said he might make the gathering a monthly event: ``Our goal is to reach every part of the village in a year. If we make it on their block, all people have to do is walk outside.''

Good communication between residents and authorities also can help fight crime. Walker said a burglary was stopped last month when a neighbor reported the crime in progress.

Police were able to arrest a suspect thanks to the neighbor's phone call.

For more information, call Village Hall at 305-795-7880.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/04/1613638/manager-police-chief-to-meet-residents.html#ixzz0nFMkGuHJ