The City of Lakewood has long been active in its progressive neighborhood policing and busy code enforcement programs. In early 2010, the City launched a pioneering proposal to merge those programs to form the "Community Safety Resources Team" (CSRT).

CSRT is designed to solve problems unique to each of the six neighborhood districts in Lakewood. Before implementing the CSRT, each district was assigned a Community Service Officer (CSO) and a Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO). With CSRT, code enforcement officers are assigned as neighborhood liaisons to work side-by-side with the CSOs and NPOs to solve community problems holistically. For example, the CSO - who is responsible for neighborhood outreach - may learn of a home that is littered with trash, has unsafe building conditions, or exhibits a traffic pattern consistent with drug trafficking. The CSO will tell the code officer - who is responsible for enforcing property maintenance codes - and the code officer will take action to abate the nuisance. The CSO will also tell the NPO - responsible for enforcing criminal laws - who will take action to address the potential drug activity. Under the leadership of Lt. Steve Mauer, the CSRT's connection to police and the other city departments helps eliminate any red-tape. A legal team consisting of an attorney and a paralegal has also been assigned to the CSRT to streamline the abatement process and provide legal advice.

CSRT will support at least three of the City Council's top fi ve priorities - redeveloping Tillicum, Woodbrook, and Pacific Highway; increasing public safety; and enhancing outreach to neighborhoods. "Service, Integrity, Teamwork, and Respect" are the four "guiding principles" that all City employees are expected to work and live by; they are especially applicable to our new CSRT. After just a few short months, it is clear the CSRT is rising to the challenge. In return, I encourage interested citizens to get involved by contacting their neighborhood liaison or attending neighborhood association meetings. You can find all essential information under our community page at www.cityoflakewood.us.