I live in a predominantly student-populated area near Frostburg State University. Many negative stories have been written concerning this area, stories about vandalism, decay and tragedy.
I was one who bemoaned the situation and believed the neighborhood was being neglected by both the city of Frostburg and the university.
However, I am not writing to dwell on negative events of the past, but to focus on the positive happenings since the partnership occurred. It’s taken a concerted effort, of education, cooperation and enforcement, but the neighborhood is improving.
First: While there are still issues with some garbage, code enforcement officials have been doing a great job. It’s understood that young people tend to be messy and that some garbage will blow around due to the wind, but it’s much cleaner than in years past. The landlords have been a better job about enforcing standards on their tenants.
Second: The big parties are not occurring at the same rate as in the past. The partnership between the university and the city, and the allocation of law enforcement resources, has led to a decrease in the number of massive parties. These parties were where the worst violence, the riskiest behavior and the general chaos tended to occur.
Through education and enforcement, the students who hosted these parties are either slightly leery of repercussions or they are simply making better choices.
Thanks to the Frostburg Police and Frostburg State Police, as their increased presence is surely helping. Innovations, like the tip line (687-STOP), have allowed people to tip off law enforcement, without fear of retaliation.
Unless you lived in this neighborhood, you can’t imagine how intimidating it was to know that your name was being associated with a party being broken up, older citizens expressed this concern often. Both forces are open to citizen input and tips and Chief Smith at Frostburg State has been particularly helpful in this respect.
Third: The students themselves are much more understanding that they too are part of this community. This is a huge improvement; for previously it seemed as if a large number of students felt that Frostburg was nothing more than a giant playground, to destroy at will.
President Gibralter has raised standards for admission, raised expectations, and raised accountability on the students and that has definitely been a factor. However it would be negligent to not compliment the students themselves. They just seem to be making better choices. Groups of students help with many events around the community and often do not get the recognition that they deserve.
Fourth: Education and a focus on binge drinking. Frostburg has been on the cutting edge of this and President Gibralter has been a champion for this fight. It makes a huge difference.
In summary, a bad situation has become much better. Is it perfect? Probably not. However, it’s livable and its not a state of constant chaos. That is a huge improvement from just three years ago. Let’s keep this momentum going into the Spring of 2013 and beyond.
Here’s a word of thanks to some (but certainly not all) who have helped.
The Frostburg Mayor (Bob Flanigan) and City Council (Donny Carter, Dennis Bridges, Brian Alderton, Walter Mackay), Frostburg Police Department (Chief Douty and staff), Frostburg Code Enforcement (Mark Monnett), Frostburg’s Street Department employees, Frostburg State University President Gibralter and his staff, Frostburg State University Police (Chief Smith and Staff), Dean Jesse Ketterman and his staff and the Students of Frostburg State University.
It has been the best fall semester in a long time around these parts, and it is much appreciated.
George M. Reasons
Frostburg
Letters
It’s much better in Frostburg
- Letters
-
-
Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
A few months ago, I received two cards from the National Rifle Association. These were dealing with a legislative alert.
They asked that I should contact Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly concerning the anti-gun legislation. -
Strength of gun laws is not reflected in grisly statistics
According to the FBI’s uniform crime reports, California had the highest number of gun murders in 2011 with 1,220, which makes up 68 percent of all murders in the state that year and equates to 3.25 murders per 100,000 people.
-
‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
-
Organization needed to help utilize the Potomac River
I am a committee remember on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway which stretches from Palmetto to Venice, Fla.
-
Reducing meat consumption can help ease climate change
A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of “Environmental Research Letters,” found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities.
-
Maryland has stopped being “The Free State”
I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and, last but not least, the National Rifle Association. I am a yearly member of the American Legion.
-
Save the Bridge Program
Please do not close the Frostburg United Methodist Church Bridge Program. The community and many families need this program. Let me enlighten you about a few things.
-
Town of Westernport needs a police force and a curfew
Since the consolidation of Bruce and Valley high schools the town of Westernport rapidly deteriorated from what was once a quite respectable community to a community in a decline in residents, and along with that came a collapse in local government due to lack of knowledge and bad decisions that set the town of Westernport back 60 years.
One bad decision was to give up their police force, and with no constant visual law enforcement it has created an open range for drug dealerss, addicts, thieves, drunks and speeding vehicles that choose to ignore our city laws and speed limits and have totally disregard for the safety of the citizens who are on the streets, especially the children who are like deer, you don’t see them until their in front of you. -
Financial gutting will damage school system
I am writing in response to the Allegany County Commissioners’ efforts to cut local education spending to the lowest possible level allowed under state law.
-
Cemetery organization plans events to mark Memorial Day
This upcoming Memorial Day marks the 30th anniversary of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization (CHCO).
- More Letters Headlines
-
Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
