SHNA moving into action

By: | SCNOW
Published: October 17, 2008

The South Hartsville Neighborhood Association (SHNA) is preparing to send letters and petitions to owners of run down property in the South Hartsville Neighborhood.

SHNA President Theresa Mack spoke to members of the city council Tuesday night to inform council of their decision to send letters to property owners petitioning them to correct the problems of their properties that present a hazard to residents of the area.

Mack said there are several houses and properties in the South Hartsville neighborhood that pose threats to residents of the area. In the letter Mack read to council, the members of the SHNA are asking property owners to correct problems with property that make them havens for illegal activity. Mack said many abandoned properties become "hang outs" for suspected gang members, delinquent school-aged children, drug dealers and are generally unsafe houses.

Mack also said the city has spent the $11,000 budgeted for demolition of those type houses; therefore, the SHNA is acting to continue the efforts to improve the safety and property values of the South Hartsville area.

In conjunction with Mack, Dorothy Hines, another member of the SHNA, is organizing a crime watch meeting and walk through the South Hartsville neighborhood on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hines invited all council members to attend. Hines said SHNA is inviting all city residents to join them on a walk through the neighborhood to show those that engage in illegal activity in the area that, "We are here, and we're not going anywhere."

Hines said the additional time will be used to congregate and exchange ideas on how to "take back our streets."