To: City Council & West End Council Member Regina Hall, Mayor Joines, WS Police Department and Homeless Coalition

We, the undersigned residents of the West End neighborhood, respectfully submit this petition to bring urgent attention to the increasing levels of crime and safety concerns in our neighborhood.

Over the past several months, we have observed a noticeable rise in incidents such as theft, break-ins, public disturbances, and loitering. Individuals regularly roam our streets at night and break into cars and property. Recently there was an assault and hostage situation. These developments have created a climate of anxiety and concern for the safety of our families, homes, and businesses.

While we acknowledge and support the need for social services, including dropin and wrap around services for individuals experiencing homelessness, we are increasingly concerned that the city wide issue of those un-housed which use services located within the West End and near our neighborhood may be contributing to the uptick in these incidents. Our intent is not to stigmatize those in need of assistance, but to ensure that our neighborhood remains safe and secure for all residents — including those these services aim to support.

We, the residents, request the following actions:

    1.    Increased Police Presence and Patrols in the neighborhood, especially in high-incident areas.

    2.    A Community Safety Audit to assess the root causes of increased crime and recommend specific actions.

    3.    Stronger Oversight and Coordination with Homeless Service Management to ensure that individuals being served receive adequate support and that any behavioral issues are promptly addressed and violent individuals are reported to appropriate services.

    4.    Public Town Hall Meeting with local officials, law enforcement, shelter leadership, and residents to discuss concerns and collaborate on solutions.

We are proud of our diverse and caring community. We believe in working together to address challenges in a way that prioritizes both public safety and compassionate solutions. The West End Neighborhood has a strong history of hosting group care and social service outreach.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We request a prompt response and look forward to participating in a constructive dialogue to improve safety and quality of life in the West End and Winston-Salem.