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Gallup Housing Authority holds safety meeting at Arnold housing

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Allsup’s liquor license approval gets some flack

Gallup Housing Authority held a public meeting at Arnold housing on May 25 to address incidents of broken windows and loitering of individuals who pass through the housing unit daily, and the recent passage of the liquor license transfer to the local Allsup’s across the road.

GHA Executive Director Richard Kontz told residents in order to prevent future incidents “know who your neighbors are.”

“Maintain good order in your life so you can have peace and quiet in your community,” he said.

Kontz and others present at the meeting were upset about the approval of the liquor license, as it may increase alcohol-related incidents.

GHA housing manager Selina Paradise said since the liquor license transfer of Allsup’s was approved, she has received numerous complaints at the office about individuals being passed out, windows broken out, and more traffic rolling into the housing area.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Paradise said many tenants want to know how to form a neighborhood watch group.

“I hope they [tenants] will get to know their neighbors,” she said.

The perks of having a neighborhood watch entails preventing crime and incidents, and helps to form bonds with law enforcement.

Pearl Reed, housing assistant for GHA, echoes the idea of getting to know your neighbors.

“We need to take care of our community of where we live,” she said.

Guest Speakers who also attended the meeting was Chief of Police Philip Hart, and City Councilor of District 4, Fran Palochak.

“We as citizens need to watch out for each other,” Palochak said. “We do have shortage of police officers.”

She then spoke about the liquor license approval for Allsup’s, and said regardless of the city’s stance on the matter, the state has the final deciding factor in the approval of all liquor licenses.

“We, as the council, put it in the paper and on our website, that there was going to be a public hearing on the liquor license,” she said, adding that only two people spoke against it at a City Council meeting.

Hart said law enforcement does rely on GHA for information, but only because GPD is shorthanded on officers, and there’s not enough bodies out there to rush to every incident.

Reed said when Hart mentioned they are shorthanded and relies on GHA, she said it was an “eye opener.”

“We need to start looking out for each other,” she said.

MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

According to the sign-in sheet at the meeting, 23 head of household members attended the meeting.

A few of the tenants mentioned that their windows were broken, and complained about the numerous individuals loitering in the housing area. There’s also drivers that don’t pay attention to the speed limit.

Paradise and Reed said that those who didn’t attend the meeting, or were unable to make it, should contact the GHA office to ask questions and address concerns.

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY TIPS

There are many tenants who move into Gallup from the reservation, Kontz said. And with that transition, there’s plenty of responsibilities and laws that new tenants need to make themselves aware of.

Arnold is not the only housing area affected by crime, as there’s other housing units where crime strikes, even in “safe” neighborhoods.

Paradise said to prevent any incidents, don’t post on social media of how long you’ll be gone or what valuables you have in your household.

The next upcoming resident meeting will be held June 22 at 2 pm.

By Boderra Joe
Sun Correspondent

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