Issue Position: Neighborhood Violence

Issue Position

Marjorie's skills as a mediator have served to resolve in a number of conflicts over development, usage and a prioritizing of city resources. One of her most important contributions on the City Council was the lead role she played in supporting the Riverside neighborhood's negotiation with Harvard University, over the old "Mahoney's Nursery" site on Memorial Drive. Working with residents to empower them with information and leverage-resulted in a more appropriate scale development, hundreds of units of affordable housing and acquired river front open space-developed by the neighbourhood, deeded to the city and paid for by the University. This is just one of many examples where Marjorie's willingness to spend endless hours, listening to residents needs and concerns, negotiating with the city or third parties has resulted in stronger, healthier neighborhoods. Marjorie continues to work with neighbors around the city to ensure that their quality of life is maintained, and often enhanced.

Believing that residents should never feel fear in their own neighborhoods, Marjorie has made it a point to be at the forefront when it comes to the city's policies regarding violent crime. Marjorie uses her role in the Council to ensure that the city is proactive in violent crime prevention and response. Among other things, Marjorie's policy orders have addressed the city's Rape Alert policy and resident's notification of violent crime occurrences.

Not only is Marjorie currently working with the City Manager and the Police Commissioner to coordinate a more efficient rapid response system, but Marjorie has also convened a series of neighborhood meetings with the Community Development Department to identify and create and improve upon city policy to reduce crime and empower neighborhood residents to feel safe in their community.

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