Progress
Since New Kensington and Arnold became a Weed and Seed site in 2001, the area has not only seen a decrease in crime but also a lot of positive revitalization in the area. The Economic Development Committee continues to work hard in bringing in new businesses to our downtown area and working with the Chambers of Commerce on the beautification of the New Kensington-Arnold area. Below are some of the accomplishments made so far.
Completed Projects
- Public Relations CD created at AKLC Studios distributed to local Realtors, both cities, the school district, the local chambers, and local civic organizations outlining the positive aspects of our area and our school district
- Partnership with the school district for a public relations brochure also distributed to local Realtors
- A web enabled real estate database
- An architectural estimate for a proposed Transportation Center
- Allegheny River Transportation Initiative (A.R.T.I)- was formed in partnership with the New Kensington Chamber of Commerce to help promote commuter rail service between Arnold/New Kensington and Pittsburgh
- A.R.T.I.- Collection of 2,500 signatures on petitions and letters of endorsement to SWPC in support of the commuter rail from Arnold/New Kensington to Pittsburgh
- Obtained an Elm Street planning grant ($25,000) to help in the planning of beautification of the Parnassus area of homes
- Obtained one Community Clean Up day per year
- Obtained a grant ($5,000) for the JFK summer playground project (next to City Hall)
- Obtained a grant ($5,000) for silent complaint forms which were mailed to citizens to help combat crime and blithe in our residential areas
- Received a grant for a community newsletter
- Held two Town Hall meetings in 2008 and six Focus Group meetings
For more information on these projects or to help on this committee, please contact Tom Resek at sresek@verizon.net or 724-337-8172.
In addition to the accomplishments of the Economic Development Committee, the Public Safety Committee has been very successful at setting up strong community watch groups throughout New Kensington and Arnold. This committee has also been instrumental in establishing three different Community Oriented Police Substations (COPS). These substations are manned by a full-time police officer who patrols the area on foot or on bike and also interacts and helps the surrounding neighbors.
Three substations are located at:
- The corner of Catalpa and Victoria in New Kensington
- Near the Main Street Deli in Parnassus
- The corner of 4th Avenue and 16th Street in Arnold
If you would like more information on setting up a Neighborhood Watch program on your street or to be involved on the Public Safety Committee, please contact Angelo Enciso at ange1943@verizon.net or 724-339-1338. Please click here for a list of guidelines for the Neighborhood Watch Groups.