NEWS

A note to the membership from Terry Woodard, DNA President 2009-2010 and STOP Program Coordinator

"Through the STOP program the association has built a very strong relationship with the South Main Precinct. This program has proven that the citizens really are a part of the solution in helping to fight crime in our neighborhood. The cooperation and concerns of our group means so much to the officers and provides the much needed reassurance that we all need. This says to them that their jobs are important. With the security and confidence that we would help in anyway we could Denise Brittenum came to me and asked if we could help the officers.

It seems that the new city budget has been cut so drastically that the officers are having to either buy items needed at the station themselves or do without. These items can be donated by members of DNA or SMA or money can be collected to pay for the officers to purchase these items. I am suggesting that DNA and SMA (I am copying Sharon Strain to be the contact to the SMA board) set up a fund for this purpose. The fund can be placed at a bank and the member can make a check out directly to the fund. The donations of items can be brought directly to the South Main Station and Denise will take care of the collection. This way neither association will have to worry about collection.

I realize that times are tough for all but it is the little things that really make a big difference. Solicitation can be through the newsletter or email and can be promoted at the meetings. Through these types of efforts the citizens of Downtown Memphis can really help and the officers will appreciate the gifts in so many ways.

Please consider this important project and thank you for any help that can be given.

I have listed below the items that they are currently in need of:

1. Vacuum cleaner

2. Rug shampoo cleaner

3. Flat screen TV

4. Microwave

5. Hand vacuum

6. DVD Player (Phil is going to donate one but they could use another) 7. Cassette CD/DVD/Radio Player (Large Boom Box)

Also the department likes to recognize the Officer of the Month and the Officer of the year. They would like for us to help provide gifts to these officers. They could be gift certificates from local restaurants, hotels or shops."