There’s something wrong with this picture
Even a casual reader of the crime calendar (now updated through 10/12) knows the eastern half of Lakewood has unacceptable levels of crime and quality of life issues. Why is it, then, that the city has failed to establish any block club watches where they are most needed? The image above depicts streets with an existing block club in yellow (see .PDF).
Lakewood Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald, who is also the city’s public safety director, commonly blames the situation on the transient nature of the population in the most troubled areas of Ward 4. While it is true that region of the city has a high amount of residential turnover, it does not excuse FitzGerald’s utter failure of leadership on this matter.
Prior to being elected mayor, FitzGerald was a councilperson for almost ten years. He knows better than most where Lakewood’s most severe problems are located.
Ward 4 Councilperson Mary Louis Madigan is also sadly out to lunch on this problem. She has represented the area since 2004. And how about the current at-large councilpeople? They have wasted their easy access to information and positions of authority on comparatively insignificant accomplishments like outdoor dining (Nickie Antonio), mandatory recycling (Michael Dever), and a pit bull ban (Brian Powers).
None of those things will matter if people don’t want to live here. And don’t be fooled you residents of Wards 1, 2, and 3, sooner or later the stink emanating from Ward 4 will find its way to your doorstep.
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