Thursday, July 30, 2009

Port City TwizShow - July 29, 2009

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means – it’s time for Port City TwizShow, the Twitter game that’s sweeping the Gulf Coast! If this is your first time playing, here’s how it works: We'll present a challenge (sometimes a trivia question, sometimes a distorted picture that you have to identify, etc.) here on the blog, and the first person to send the correct response in an @reply to @cityofmobile on Twitter wins a GREAT PRIZE! Actually, the prize is lame, but it's still a prize, right?

You'll need to follow us so we can DM you how to get your prize.

Here’s this week’s challenge: (no repeat winners, please)

Name any 3 (three) Historic Districts in Mobile.

UPDATE
- Congrats to @jimjfletcher! Thanks to everyone who played, and check back next week. Here are all the acceptable answers:
  • Ashland Place Historic District
  • Church Street East Historic District
  • DeTonti Square Historic District
  • Leinkauf Historic District
  • Lower Dauphin Street Historic District
  • Midtown Historic District
  • Oakleigh Garden Historic District
  • Old Dauphin Historic Way

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Help Wanted: July 28, 2009

Here are the current job openings at the Mobile County Personnel Board. Please pass this along to anyone looking for a job in Mobile.
Current Job Listings 7_28

Mayor Jones, Three Councilmembers "Reelected"

Due to a lack of registered opponents, Mayor Sam Jones, Council President Reggie Copeland, District Four Councilman John Williams, and District Seven Councilwoman Gina Gregory have all won reelection. They were declared the winner at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2008.

This means that there will be no election in these districts on August 25. If you live in Districts One, Two, Three and Six, you will still vote. For more information about the election and when and where you vote, go to www.cityofmobile.org/election.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile Bay CVB Announce “Arrive Early” Campaign

Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile Bay CVB Announce
“Arrive Early” Campaign

Mobile, AL – Mayor Sam Jones in association with the Mobile Bay CVB, is pleased to announce the development of a new campaign urging Carnival Cruise passengers to “Arrive early” and “Vacation before your vacation” in Mobile Bay. This campaign is focused on both consumers and travel agents in Mobile’s highest cruise drive markets of Birmingham, Huntsville, Chattanooga and Nashville.
Mobile Bay CVB President/CEO, Leon Maisel, says “Since Carnival Cruise Lines arrived in Mobile, we have been marketing to potential cruise passengers the concept of spending time in Mobile either before or after their cruise. Now, according to newly released results of a year-long cruise passenger survey, over 50% of out-of-town customers departing on a Carnival Cruise from the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal spend the night in the Mobile area. Due to this success we have developed a new campaign to support and strengthen our current efforts and to keep that percentage rising.” The FANTASY, setting sail from Mobile in November 2009, will increase the number of potential consumers by 42%. Mayor Sam Jones states, “The city of Mobile’s partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines has generated a significant economic impact for many industries in our area. We are looking forward to all the new opportunities that come hand-in-hand with the arrival of the FANTASY.”
According to statistics released by Dr. Semoon Chang, Director of the Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of South Alabama, the five year partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines has exceeded expectations. It has worked very well to bring more spending in our area hotels, attractions and restaurants, as well as an economic impact on the industries providing parking, support and supplies for the ship each time it arrives in port.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Crime Drops 12% As 31 New Police Officers Hit The Streets

Crime Drops 12% As 31 New Police Officers Hit The Streets:
Mayor Still Not Satisfied With Crime; Wants More To Be Done!
Mayor Sam Jones and Police Chief Phillip Garrett released Monday the crime statistics for 2008 showing that the City's overall reported crime fell by 12 percent compared to 2006. The number of crimes fell from 17,016 to 15,065 -- that's the lowest number in at least two decades despite Mobile’s growing population.
“We are not where we want to be, but we are also not where we once were,” said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones. “Though the data shows crime is down in Mobile, we are still not satisfied with what we see today as it relates to the incident of crimes bring committed. The Police Department has done a good job in clearing many of crimes. However, we are working vigorously to do an even better job. That’s why we are putting these new officers on the street,” he added.
Thirty-one new police officers also took to the streets on Monday having completed 26 rigorous weeks of training, which included 14 weeks of classroom and theoretical training and another 12 weeks in the Field Training program. These new officers will be assigned as follows:

First Precinct – 10 officers
Second Precinct – 4 officers
Third Precinct – 7 officers
Fourth Precinct – 6 officers
Fifth Precinct – 4 officers
“This comes during one of the worst financial crises in the country,” Jones said. “While other cities are considering a layoff, we are actually hiring new officers to protect citizens.”
-more-

City of Mobile Crime Decreases, 2
The mayor said Mobile is no different than any other metropolitan area which is experiencing a historic economic downturn, high unemployment and a high dropout rate. “It is expected that the economic hub of the region (Mobile) would have a higher percentage of crime,” Jones added.
Under the mayor’s administration, 226 police officers have been added to the department.
Jones said Mobile’s reduction in crime is evidence that the Police Department’s various crime- fighting initiatives are working. “In no way are we suggesting that there is no crime in Mobile. We know there is crime in your neighborhood and mine. The crime-fighting measures employed by the Police Department are working,” he said.
“We need more citizens to step up to the plate and join us in ridding neighborhoods of crime. When a crime is committed, nine times out of ten, someone in that neighborhood knows who did it. While we applaud the Police Department for a job well done, we are soliciting the community’s help today to make our neighborhoods and our city better.”
The addition of the new officers will likely continue and even improve a trend of crime reduction in Mobile, even as our population increases. Several of those trends include:
• Lowest victimization rate in 10 years
• Overall, crime as decreased 12% since 2006
• Compared to regional cities, Mobile had the lowest Part I crime rate per 1,000 population
• Homicides are down 32% year-to-date from 2008
• Clearance rates (crimes solved) exceed national average
• 10% increase in manpower since 2006

“We’ve been able to produce these results in lowering crime in Mobile through a great group of men and women and a growing list of crime-fighting initiatives,” said Police Chief Phillip Garrett. “With the crime prevention programs that we have put into place, we’ve been able to make a tremendous impact on crime in Mobile.”

Crime-prevention initiatives driven by the Police Department include, but are not limited to:

Project CARE - A unique collaboration between law enforcement agencies, local advocate groups, and faith-based organizations that provides elder fraud prevention, crime protection, and victim support. The program’s goal is to empower senior adults by making critical infor¬mation available through educational literature and community seminars.

Citizen’s/Youth Academies - Provides private citizens with a hands-on perspective of police work and the challenges police officers face. Topics of instruction and demonstrations include crime scene security and investigations, traffic operations, tactical unit callouts, the bomb squad, case investigation, crime prevention and more.

Community Action Groups (CAG’s) – The department has formed Community Action Groups in newly annexed areas of the city including Hillsdale, Mobile Terrace, Theodore and
-more-


City of Mobile Crime Decreases, 3

Toulminville. The Groups bring citizens and police together to solve problems and reduce crime within neighborhoods.

Police Explorers Program - The department has also formed Explorer Programs in the aforementioned neighborhoods. This mentoring program is designed to build character and discipline in youth through their involvement in police work. They are involved in minor police work and gain experience in team building, public speaking, leadership, conflict resolution and problem-solving.

Bulletproof Mobile – Designed to encourage citizens to report illicit gun use. The program is a collaboration between the Police Department, the Mayor’s Office and CrimeStoppers and offers a reward for the acquisition of illegal guns.

COMSTAT – The COMSTAT model was implemented by Chief Garrett in 2006 as a crime mapping, trending, and accountability system. Each week, a precinct commander stands before the Chief of Police and Executive Staff and reports on the events in his jurisdiction for the previous five-week period and presents a plan to combat crime trends which may be developing.

GREAT Program – The Gang Resistance Education and Training Program has been expanded from one to three middle schools in the Mobile area: Mae Eanes Middle School, Mobile County Training School, and Denton Middle School.

Gun Lock Program – In 2006, the Crime Prevention Unit provided keyed gun locks to area citizens in an effort to prevents guns from being accidentally discharged.

Weed and Seed Program - Designed to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods. The target areas work hand in hand with a twenty-three member steering committee. The committee is made up of local law enforcement agencies, human resource service provider and residents. The program operates on four components: Law Enforcement, Community Policing, Prevention, Intervention and Treatment and Neighborhood Restoration. Currently, the program is being implemented in Crichton-Toulminville, Hillsdale Heights, Mobile Terrace, Plateau, Theodore and public housing developments.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Police to Conduct Safety Checkpoints Tonight

Mobile Police will be conducting Safety Checkpoints in various parts of Mobile on July 17, 2009. The checkpoints will be conducted during evening hours to ensure citizen safety and that motorists are complying with state and local traffic laws.


Police will be checking seatbelts, child restraints, and other safety features. Officers will also be checking to ensure that drivers are carrying registration, proof of insurance, and drivers’ licenses, as required by law.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Mobile Firefighters Collecting for One of Their Own

Firefighters with Mobile Fire-Rescue and other departments in Mobile County will be conducting boot drives this Saturday, July 18 from 8:00 a.m. until 12 noon to collect money for Theodore Volunteer Fire Chief James “Spot” Shelley. Shelley, who is also a retired Fire Captain with Mobile Fire-Rescue, has been diagnosed with brain and lung cancer and the money collected will be given to him to help with expenses incurred.


Mobile Firefighters will be at the following intersections:


Schillinger Road at Airport Blvd.

Highway 90 at Three Notch Road

Highway 90 at Hamilton Blvd.


Other fire departments will also be collecting throughout the county.


There is also a cookbook being sold to raise funds called “Dog-Gone Good Cookin’ with Spot”. The cookbooks can be obtained for a $5 dollar donation from Mobile Fire-Rescue Communications Officer Theresa Van Driessche at 208-1191, all proceeds with go directly to Chief Shelley.

Pet of the Week: Maggie

Everyone loves German Shepherds. Maggie is an exceptional Girl. She has been spayed and is up to date with all of her shots including the rabies shot.

She is so loving and playful and is approximately 6-10 months old. She has been at our shelter since July 10th and is available for immediate adoption.

For adoption fees or more information please contact our shelter at (251) 208-2801.

UPDATE - Maggie has been adopted! Thanks to everyone who inquired.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

MPD Donates Used Vests to Departments in Need

When Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett heard of the Armor of God Project, he was instantly intrigued. The initiative provides expired bullet-proof vests to officers currently working without vests. The first donation came in 2008 when, on a mission trip to the Philippines, Lt. Clint Reck of the Muscle Shoals, Alabama Police Department became aware of the need for body armor for the Philippine National Police. The Muscle Shoals Department along with Parkview Baptist Church then donated 24 outdated vests to the Philippine officers. The day after receiving his donated vest, one officer was shot point-blank in the chest by a 9mm round which struck the trauma plate and saved his life.


The Mobile Police Department plans to soon donate 50 vests to the cause and will continue to make donations as vests expire. “I cannot think of a better way to give back and potentially save lives than through the Armor of God Project,” says Garrett. The Project gives vests to departments world-wide as well as small ones within the United States.


The Mobile Police Department, like most departments nationwide, issues new vests to its officers every five years when the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Although, after the expiration date, the vests are not guaranteed to deflect all bullets, the recipients of the used vests are grateful to have some protection rather than none at all.


For more information about the Armor of God Project, visit www.tenfourministries.org/vest.html.

The Artwork of the City of Mobile Recreation Centers

Hundreds of students from each of the City of Mobile's Recreation Centers have been very busy over their summer break. They've been creating some great works of art that are on display in the atrium of Government Plaza (Today, July 14 only). These works, which include paintings, sculptures, masks, and pictures frames, are a great way to be creative while school is out. A full gallery of the artwork is below. Congratulations to all the young artists!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Help Wanted: July 13, 2009

Below are the available jobs from the Mobile County Personnel Board. These are all the open jobs from throughout each agency, not just the City of Mobile.

The new jobs added this week include two Equipment Operator III positions, a Licensed Practical Nurse, and Public Buildings Supervisor.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Mobile Roller Derby Bout to Benefit Officer Brandon Sigler Memorial Fund

The ladies of the Mobile Roller Derby will team up against Baton Rouge’s Red Stick Roller Derby Saturday evening for the Scars and Stripes Event in which a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Mobile Law Enforcement Foundation’s Officer Brandon Sigler Memorial Fund. The bout is set for 7 p.m., Saturday, July 11 at Skateland of Mobile, 1610 Shelton Beach Rd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance (www.mobilerollerderby.com) or $12 at the door.


Mobile Police Officer Brandon Sigler was killed in the line of duty on June 2.

The ArtWalk Turns 4! Join Us Tonight!

Help us celebrate 4 years of ArtWalkin' on Friday, July 10th from 6 until 9 p.m. in the Cathedral Square Arts District. Join Space 301, Three George's, The Museum of Mobile and over 20 other venues as they plan unique events to help us celebrate.

In the Square you will find childrens' activities to go along with Space 301's new opening: "No, Seriously" : a look at comedy and laughter in art. Along with live caribbean sounds of Tony Bowers. A little down the street the Museum of Mobile will have a treasure hunt through their last weeks' of Pirates! and no celebration would be complete without birthday cake. So... Three George's will slice up some of their delicious cakes for us to sample!

Be sure to stop in at the other locations along the ArtWalk route and experience new shows at the Mobile Arts Council, Blue Velvet Gallery, Ed Edwards Glass Studio, Samurai J Sushi Bar, and Serda's Coffee, among others.

The event is family friendly and free.

The list of participating venues is...
  • Blue Velvet Studio
  • Liquid Lounge Sushi Bar
  • Cathdral Square Gallery
  • Ed Edwards Glass
  • Robertson Gallery
  • The Blind Mule
  • Buck's Pizza
  • The Mobile Arts Council
  • Spot of Tea
  • Chesser Gallery
  • Cathedral Square
  • Space 301
  • Three George's
  • Jim Hayward Studio
  • Hurricane Brewing Company
  • The Crescent Theatre
  • Samurai J Sushi Bar
  • Serda's Coffee
  • The Museum of Mobile
Please take the moda between 5 and 8 p.m. to get you from one end of the entertainment district to the other!

For more information, please call 208-7540.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Port City Twiz Show - July 9, 2009

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means – it’s time for Port City TwizShow, the Twitter game that’s sweeping the Gulf Coast! If this is your first time playing, here’s how it works: We'll present a challenge (sometimes a trivia question, sometimes a distorted picture that you have to identify, etc.) here on the blog, and the first person to send the correct response in an @reply to @cityofmobile on Twitter wins a GREAT PRIZE! Actually, the prize is lame, but it's still a prize, right?

You'll need to follow us so we can DM you how to get your prize.

Here’s this week’s challenge:
(no repeat winners, please)


Identify this Mobile landmark:












UPDATE - We have a winner! Although she didn't sound too confident, @LaurieHaz knew that it was Oakleigh House. Thanks to everyone who played! Check back next Thursday for another edition of Port City TwizShow!

Final Closure at Old Shell and McGregor this Weekend

Over the past few weeks, there have been closures on each side of the intersection of Old Shell Road and McGregor Avenue. The construction work is being done to install crosswalks for easier pedestrian access. This, along with sidewalks being installed along along Old Shell Road to University Boulevard, are being done as part of the Blueprint for the Village of Spring Hill.

Well, if your commute has been disrupted by the closings, relief is in sight - the final closing is this weekend. Old Shell Road on the east side, between BankTrust and Compass banks, will be closed started Friday evening and reopening Monday.

See the map for the location.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

MPD to Host Kids Day Event

The Mobile Police Department’s Mounted Detail, Ranger Unit, K9 Unit, Tactical Response Unit, and Crime Prevention Detail will hold Kids Day tomorrow, July 9 at 11 a.m. for more than 120 area children. Elmer the clown will demonstrate his expertise (or lack thereof) in horseback and ATV riding while the children are educated about the numerous police department components and their importance.

The events will take place at the MPD Mounted Unit’s training facility at 1251 Virginia Street.

This is in addition to the Kids Days in Bienville, which concludes its season tomorrow from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m. Kids Days in Langan Park will take place on July 18 and 25.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Help Wanted: July 6, 2009

Below are the available jobs from the Mobile County Personnel Board. These are all the open jobs from throughout each agency, not just the City of Mobile.

The new job added this week is a Community Planning and Development Programs Specialist with the Mobile Housing Board.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Port City TwizShow - July 2, 2009

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means – it’s time for Port City TwizShow, the Twitter game that’s sweeping the Gulf Coast! If this is your first time playing, here’s how it works: We'll present a challenge (sometimes a trivia question, sometimes a distorted picture that you have to identify, etc.) here on the blog, and the first person to send the correct response in an @reply to @cityofmobile on Twitter wins a GREAT PRIZE! Actually, the prize is lame, but it's still a prize, right?

You'll need to follow us so we can DM you how to get your prize.

Here’s this week’s challenge:


Tickets for BayFest 2009 are on sale now. This year's line up is already packed, just like years past. Which of these entertainers has NOT performed at Mobile’s Music Festival (only one has not appeared): Kenny Chesney, Daughtry, LL Cool J, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Nelly, Stone Temple Pilots?


UPDATE - We have a winner! @dmurphy79 knew that while LL might be the G.O.A.T. (debatable), he's never played BayFest. Thanks to everyone who played! Check back next Thursday for another edition of Port City TwizShow!


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Kids Days Continues

Before you head to that Fourth of July Barbecue and fireworks display, take the kids to a fun day in downtown Mobile. Check out the flier below for details on Kids Days in Bienville (and the upcoming Kids Days in Langan Park).