CCA Public Meeting to Address Safety, Services

The Canton Community Association has announced that next week's public meeting will focus on public safety and Baltimore City services, which are among the most frequently requested subjects by Canton residents.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 25 at the United Evangelical Church, 3200 Dillon Street at the corner of S. East, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and drinks in the basement, provided by Canton restaurants.

"City Services and Public Safety: Who Ya Gonna Call?" will introduce Councilman Jim Kraft (First District) and key City staff. Karli Swift, Neighborhood Liaison in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, will discuss how, why, and when to use the City's 311 one-call service.

Major Roger Bergeron, Commanding Officer of the Southeast District Police, will be there to introduce his community team: Lieutenant Darryl DeSousa, who will review the state of the district and the neighborhood, and Sergeant Fred Dillon and Officer Dianna Ckyyou, who will speak about the district's community policing initiative and the Canton Citizens on Patrol program.

The meeting will also feature a presentation on the planned Audubon Center in Patterson Park by Callie Schwartz, the center's Education Coordinator. Last fall, Mayor Shelia Dixon announced that the City would commit $3.5 million to renovating Patterson Park's Virginia Baker Recreation Center and constructing an Audubon Center there. "We are trying to educate the Park's surrounding communities on what Audubon and the Recreation Department offer to the community through our programming as well as get insight from our neighbors on desired programs and thoughts for a new building," explains Schwartz, who has been meeting with various neighborhood associations to seek input and suggestions from residents.

Canton residents are encouraged to attend and discuss their questions, concerns, and issues with the various speakers. It promises to be an informative meeting.

CCA public meetings are generally held bimonthly, except July and December. Details on upcoming public and board meetings can be found on the CCA website here.