Event planned to spur neighborhood activity | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

The Palatka Police Department substation will be the site of Wednesday’s event aimed at more community involvement.
Positively Putnam FL

After several months without in-person events, the Palatka Housing Authority is hosting a meet-and-greet Wednesday where residents can talk to local support agencies, including the Palatka Police Department.

The event is 2-5 p.m. at the police’s substation, 1601 Washington St., which will be closed to vehicles.

Housing Authority Resident Services Director Aaron Robinson said the block party would introduce residents to the police substation and neighborhood success center, a computer lab space for residents.

“The department has a desire for community policing, to get officers in the neighborhood and out and talking to people,” Robinson said. “We invited other agencies. This gives them the opportunity to network and meet (residents) on a personal basis.”

Palatka Police Department Victim Advocate Shirley Edwards said she is excited about the event and the impact it could have. The substation gives support agencies a place to meet residents to build relationships and trust.

It could also serve as a visual deterrent to crime, she said.

“We’re excited about our partnership, but we’re taking it a step further by reactivating the police substation,” Edwards said. “I know it’s profoundly going to help people who were isolating themselves before because of COVID or because of issues with crime, which we have all over Palatka, but to draw confidence because the substation is there.”

Robinson said he was encouraged by the state Department of Health in Putnam County recently administering COVID-19 vaccines to residents. He said Wednesday’s event will be a chance for children to get out of the house, but the Palatka Housing Authority will recommend masks and social distancing.

After 18 months of video meetings, this is one of the first chances for agencies to speak with residents in person. The Palatka Housing Authority’s success depends on the agencies around it, Robinson said.

The housing authority will also use the opportunity to contact high school seniors about usual graduation activities. Food will be served at the block party.

“Our goal is to have a bit of fun. The summer is about to begin,” Robinson said. “At this point, we want people to recognize we’re in the business of creating support.”