Hello All, I just wanted to update you and show you the letter that has been given to each of the named recipients of the petition. I will of course update you with their responses. _____BEGIN LETTER_____ Hello, A week ago I started a petition which you can find by clicking the link below: https://www.change.org/p/lights-cameras-action-increase-security-in-oak-lawn-to-reduce-crime You are receiving this email because you are one of several named recipients of the petition. The petition was signed by over 800 people in the first 48 hours and then quickly rose to over 1000. It represents over 1% of the Oak Lawn population's direct participation. I want to be clear that the crime that has been seen in the area recently isn't the fault of any one party, it isn't just a gay or straight thing, it isn't just a city thing, and it isn't just an issue with the local businesses. I don't want to sensationalize this as all gay hate or point fingers at the Mayor or vent about LGBT rights to a brick wall. What we need is planned, measured, tangible changes that are possible, logical, and the responsibility of many different parties. The list of signees is growing and I am expected to update them en masse with the responses (or non-response) of the entities named in the petition. If you are receiving this email, you represent one of those entities. The main idea of the petition is a play on the traditional cue to members of a film crew: "Lights! Cameras! Action!" From this cue we have 3 demands - put up the lights, roll the cameras, start the scene. When it comes to addressing safety in Oak Lawn we can take the same cue: Lights - Increase sidewalk and side street illumination at night even when (and especially when) businesses are closed. This would require investment in additional and brighter lights or the investigation of other methods of lighting which make the area safer at all times. Side streets should be a focus of this as well. Cameras - Add private security cameras to the exterior of buildings on all sides. Add city and police cameras to the streets and public areas. Action - Increase private security patrols by larger property owners and stakeholders and have their ranges extend to side streets. More visibility, more signs that there is security posted, signs that there is surveillance. Responding publicly and officially to the concerns of the public with regards to the petition as a highly regarded named recipient of the petition. Help push the City of Dallas for things only they can provide such as street lighting, increased police patrols, and other things. Help us think of other ideas for safety in the area and how we can help you as well. So the question Oak Lawn has for you is what will you do to address the safety concerns of our community? Thanks, John Anderson _____END LETTER_____