Southwestern Outer Drive Neighborhood Association to Re-Launch

In the hope of keeping people better informed and discussing issues of interest, a group of dedicated Dearborn residents is re-launching the Southwestern Outer Drive Neighborhood Association.

More than 40 concerned families attended the association's information night held at Whitmore-Bolles Elementary School on Oct. 9.

Public safety at Penn-Vassar Park, cracking down on nuisance properties and cleaning up Oxford Village apartments were some of the pressing issues prospective members said they would like the city to address.

But all of that takes time and volunteer commitment, Michele Featherston, the association’s outgoing president explained.

"Before we start focusing on a particular issue, we need to elect new officers and adopt bylaws," Featherston said during the meeting. "We need people who are willing to volunteer and put in the time to make the association successful."

The association was chartered in 1997 as a nonprofit. At its peak it had 90 active families, but over the years that number dropped to less than 10 as older members passed away, Featherston said.

In the wake of a Neighborhood Watch meeting this summer at Nowlin Elementary School, Featherston approached John Cascardo, deputy director of Residential Services for Dearborn, about the possibility of re-launching the association.

Featherston explained that because the group is looking to incorporate a larger area and include other members from dormant associations, its bylaws must be amended. The boundaries of the new association include homes west and south of Outer Drive, south of Michigan Avenue, east of Telegraph Road, north of Dartmouth and west of Pelham Road.

During Wednesday's meeting, several residents said they would like to establish a Neighborhood Watch program to crack down on crime at Penn-Vassar Park.

One man said that the use of the park's basketball courts are dominated by teenagers who come from outside the city. Another resident claimed she was assaulted and has seen vandalism on the playground.

One resident suggested removing the nets on the basketball courts for a few weeks to discourage out-of-town use.

Dearborn City Councilman David Bazzy, a resident in the association’s territory, said he's saddened to see the park abandoned out of fear.

"The reality is we have issues," Bazzy said. "If we have to take the basketball courts down to address those issues, then I am all for it."

Responding to a comment that the city has cut police staffing levels, Bazzy said the statement is not true. He said even with fewer officers, 20 percent more are on the street because contract negotiations allow for 12-hour shifts, instead of the previous eight-hour shift.

Cascardo said he knows police have responded to calls at Penn-Vassar, but encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity by calling 1-313-943-3030.

In order to move forward, Mary Petlichkoff, president of the Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations (DFNA), suggested that the association hold an officer election at their November meeting, reinstate the $15 per household annual fee for members, and join the DFNA.

Petlichkoff said that while safety is an important issue, association members should also consider longterm plans including community programs for children and designating someone to maintain communication with member families.

"The biggest hurdle any neighborhood association has is communication," she said.

The group's next meeting will take place in November. No date has been set. For more information, visit the Southwestern Outer Drive Neighborhood Association on Facebook or call John Cascardo at 313-943-2216.