The Little Italy Neighborhood Watch

The Weed and Seed Task Force, an essential element of 2003’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, in cooperation with the City of Erie, the District Attorney’s office, the Emerge Consulting Group, and the Neighborhood Watch Council is providing a free Neighborhood Revitalization Training Workshop to help train neighborhood watch groups and any interested residents in how to take back their neighborhoods.

The event is scheduled to begin Thursday, May 8th, at the Family Worship Center Assembly of God at 1201 Parade St. with a free dinner at 5:30pm. Brief opening remarks are planned at 6:00pm, followed by three training sessions running from 6:10 to 8:00pm. Following the training will be a panel discussion from 8:00 to 9:00pm.

The event is free and open to the public. Anyone who wishes to help make their neighborhood a safer place is encouraged to attend, not just to learn, but to contribute their own ideas to help update the goals and plan for the future in cooperation with the Weed and Seed program.

For further information or any questions, please contact the Neighborhood Watch Council at 814-454-3808.

Well, sort of. Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, stopped by to visit the Erie Bolt Corporation right at the edge of the 14th Street border of the Little Italy neighborhood when he campaigned in Erie on Friday, April 18th.

Our neighborhood watch coordinator, Wally Brown, just happened to be passing through when he caught the scene as Obama’s group was leaving the plant.

Never without his camera, Wally managed to get four quick photos of the Senator as he headed toward his waiting vehicle, which was parked on the Little Italy side of 14th Street, so we’re claiming it as a visit!

Security was tight and the group was hurrying, but Senator Obama still made time for as many quick personal greetings as his schedule would allow.

While taking pictures, Wally was even able to get a greeting and a handshake before the Senator had to rush off to his scheduled appearance at Penn State Behrend.