Residents of the Liberty City area of Miami are addressing a crime flare-up that began with a drive-by shooting at the end of May that injured two boys, ages 4 and 9. A spurt of violence followed in the inner city. Elaine Black, the president of Liberty City Trust, and volunteers with other organizations fanned out around Liberty City this week to talk to residents about reporting crime and to complete surveys about safety and crime, reports the Miami Herald. The goal was to knock on about 100 doors on four streets.
Black described the initiative as a neighborhood crime watch. “We’re tired of all this going on in the community,” said Black, whose organization works to revitalize Liberty City. “When the community takes control by reporting crime, our neighborhood becomes safer.” This week, she and her colleagues passed out HotSpot cards, prepaid postage cards that allow residents to anonymously report crime, and asked people about their concerns. They got a chilly reception at one building. One couple agreed to take the HotSpot card, but they were skeptical that tipsters would remain anonymous. Another woman didn’t want to open her door.