Safety and crime prevention within our area has always been the foremost concern of our association. The current financial burden and other challenges Baton Rouge is facing may affect neighborhood issues and our PPP protection. It is time to look at the potential impact on Goodwood Property Owners Association (GPOA) and Old Goodwood. To mitigate the burden faced by our neighborhood, we must implement measures to provide a more frequent police presence within the Goodwood area.
The GPOA Board recognizing this, has endorsed the concept of presenting Crime District legislation to address this priority issue. The proposed CPID legislation creates an avenue for further community involvement as well as improvements within the GPOA boundaries. GPOA would join all the adjacent neighborhood associations, who have already elected for such status, and would benefit from their baseline of experience, further protecting and insulating the Goodwood area from encroaching criminal activity.State of Louisiana legislative passage and the successful vote of the people residing in the district will be needed to enact a parcel fee that is similar to what our PPP members have been paying. After much review, we believe we can double the hours of police patrol, implement technology and provide for other civic improvements in our neighborhood.Provisions are in place to “exempt” qualified households that have fixed incomes where increased taxes would be a burden.
House Resolution 313, from last year’s Legislative Session, recorded the boundaries for Goodwood Property Owners Association and established the GPOA geographical area. This is the area that would be included in any vote on such a crime district. The funds generated from an Independent Crime and Improvement District could be applied to increased police presence, electronic crime deterrent measures, and enhanced improvements of the area.
Please be aware of our communications and meetings to learn of the Crime District Legislation and contact Board members to discuss this important step to maintain safety, security and the integrity of the neighborhood.
Comments can be sent to cpid@brgoodwood.com Thank you, Norman Ryan GPOA President nryan@brgoodwood.com