MARQUIS MAY 2024

VOLUME 45, NUMBER 2 Founded by the residents of Lafayette Square MAY 2024 Inside the Marquis LSNA President’s message .2 Editor’s Note 2 Beautification News .3 Lafayette Park Preschool 4 Lafayette Square Swans .5 Capitol Corner NEW .6 Waverly Place .7 Arts Council Concerts .8 LSNA members list 11 Continued on Page 3 Special taxing district steering committee postpones filing Block captains are important in reducing crime Everyone is interested in reducing crime. Getting to know your neighbors and communicating with them is the No. 1 means of reducing crime. Of the 79 neighborhoods in St. Louis, Lafayette Square has the 10th-lowest annual crime rate involving crimes against people, but is near the middle with crimes against property. In the past few years, we have slipped from the list of safest neighborhoods. To make our neighbor- hood safer, we have to be more engaged as extra eyes and ears for the police. This means that we have to become more aware of unlawful activity and communicate potential problems to each other. Block captains are the key to any neighborhood- watch program as their primary role is to let the residents on their block know of any crime-related activity as well as potential problems. Being informed helps everyone protect themselves. B y T om D ahms Wewould like to thank all of our Lafayette Square neighbors who attended an infor- mation session, provided input and asked questions about the Special Taxing District proposal. The most common piece of feed- backwe have received is that residents want more details, particularlywhat specific proj- ects and initiatives would be funded. Based on that input, we have decided to postpone filing for the August election. The Steering Committee will use this time to develop an initial proposal that includes details on the cost, background and rationale for specific projects and initiatives that could be funded by a Special Taxing District. Then we will share that information with the community B y T om M urphy so that you have the full picture and can provide informed input. Next we will provide opportunities for the community to share feedback through an online survey and in-person sessions. We will use that feedback to make any necessary changes to the proposal. Then, we will share the final proposal, and provide opportunities to answer any remaining questions. Our goal has always been to work in the interest of the Lafayette Square commu- nity. We believe adjusting the timeline will ensure the community has meaningful opportunities to shape the proposal in a transparent process. We look forward to continuing to engage with you, and we will provide an updated timeline in the near future. Neighbors get together at a block captain event. Being a “good neighbor” is an ideal for any community like Lafayette Square. A “neighbor” embodies connection, care and the shared experience of living side by side. One of the tools of being a neighbor is a community directory. One will always find a directory or “buzz book” of some sort in a true community. There is an enduring value of printed directories in a digital age. Unlike imper- sonal digital content, physical directories provide a lasting connection. Holding a book, flipping through its pages, and seeing names and ads in print evoke a sense of permanence and belonging. This tangible experience anchors people to our neighborhood, fostering commitment. Printed directories serve as valuable records, capturing the evolution of our community over time. Changes in lead- ership, community growth and shifts in focus are documented. Beyond nostalgia, these directories provide insight into our neighborhood’s trajectory and help preserve the legacy of Lafayette Square for future generations. Here are just a few other benefits to having a printed directory: Community Connectivity • Contact information facilitates all kinds of interactions with neighbors (for example: What’s the number of that guy who was interested in playing golf with me?) Resource Hub • Offers valuable information about local businesses, services and amenities. You can make a dinner reservation, email the mayor or check with the dry cleaners — all from one directory. • Supports the local economy and enhances residents’ quality of life. Lafayette Square plans to offer a printed directory B y R ay P ayne Safety and Security • Enables quick communication during emergencies. • Enhances safety and security within the community. The Lafayette Square Community Directory helps foster community, safety and a shared sense of place. During April, people can update their information online or opt out of the direc- tory. The information with the QR code was distributed to each home via a door-knob hanger on April 5. There also are informa- tional posters up in various businesses. Lafayette Square has been without a printed or online neighborhood directory for three years, so this is a big push to print an updated one. We already have a master list of about 1,800 names with the infor- mation collected from City Hall, the white pages and a directory from 2021. For more information about the 2024-25 Lafayette Square Community Directory, email Donna at memberat- large4@lafayettesquare.org . Use this QR code to enter your correct name, address and phone number by the end of April. You can also opt out using the link. In 1995 when the Lafayette Square neighborhood safety committee was formed, several meetings were held with other neighborhood’s safety committees and the St. Louis police. The advice from everyone, especially the police, was to start an active neighborhood-watch program, which led to formalizing the structure of communicating with each other regarding crime prevention. Neighbors volunteered to be block captains who would communicate safety- related information to residents on their blocks. For example, if there was someone who was acting suspiciously (e.g., checking car doors), we were to call the police, then the block captain would alert their neighbors. The police are better equipped to encounter such people than we as untrained residents. We were told then and it is still true today: If you want a safer neighborhood, get to know your neighbors and look out for each other. We just have to work harder at communication: Let your neighbors know when you leave town and who is expected to be in your house. The block-captain structure helps with this effort. For your block captain to be able to communicate safety information