Neighborhood Safety Forum for District 3 Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Monday, January 23 at St. Paul's UMC

We begin the fourth week of 2012 in Cedar Rapids this week.

Council Member Pat Shey is hosting the Neighborhood Safety Forum. Pat Shey represents District 3 on the City Council for Cedar Rapids.

The purpose of this forum is to provide information to help residents make their homes and neighborhoods safer. We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.

Pat Shey to Host Neighborhood Safety Forum on Jan. 23
City Council Member Pat Shey will host a Neighborhood Safety Forum on Monday, January 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, located at 1340 3rd Ave SE, especially for residents of District 3.

“The purpose of this forum is to provide the citizens of Cedar Rapids with information that will help them make their homes and neighborhoods safer,” said Shey. “We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.”

The forum will feature a panel discussion, moderated by Shey, which will include the following experts from the Cedar Rapids Police Department: Lt. Jerry Potter, Sgt. Matthew Welsh, Investigator Michael Bailey and Crime Analyst Dawn Stanford. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns during the forum.

Residents with personal experiences to share are encouraged to submit a written narrative or statement before the forum and send them to Pat.Shey@cedar-rapids.org. All statements will be compiled, scanned and share with all who are interested.

Celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012

The public is welcome at the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. The 13Th annual Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris “Who Is My Neighbor?” award will be presented at the service. Everyone is urged to come to this celebration of the ideals of peace, justice and relationships with our neighbors.

Earlier on Monday, the MLK holiday in Cedar Rapids, a joint meeting of the United Way of East Central Iowa and the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids celebrated the MLK holiday with the 26Th annual Remembering Martin Luncheon.

Washington High School's 'Slice of Jazz' provided the musical program, while the Honorable Romonda D. Belcher, District Associate Judge and first African-American female judge in the State of Iowa provided the keynote address. Also, 22 local high school and ninth graders were honored with student awards and a leadership conference in the afternoon.

Other news in the Cedar Rapids community on this MLK Holiday. As reported: "At the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, volunteers were also out using the day to serve others by caulking cracks in an effort to weatherize their building." - KGAN CBS2.

Monday, January 16Th Remembering Martin Luncheon, then the 13th annual "Who Is My Neighbor" Award at the MLK Day Celebration at St. Paul's UMC at 7 PM

This Monday, January 16Th, our Nation and community will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.

In Cedar Rapids, there are two popular events that have become a tradition in our community. The 26Th Annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at the Hotel at Kirkwood at 11:30 a.m., as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday evening at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

The St. Paul's UMC event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, though a free will offering is taken.