Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 6, 1993 TAG: 9305060122
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A proposed federally funded housing program would entice Roanoke police officers to move into poorer sections of the city.
The project, part of a Community Development Block Grant program, would make no-interest loans available to police who buy homes.
The test program would make money available for two or three police officers to buy homes this year. An officer's out-of-pocket costs would be about $1,000.
"I think it could provide a home ownership opportunity to an officer who couldn't otherwise afford a home," Chief M. David Hooper said. "I think it is not only an opportunity for the officers but a benefit to the city."
Still, the proposed program is not playing well among all city police officers.
"I'm not sure that it will fly here," said one officer, who asked not to be identified. "I think I echo the sentiments of many officers. My position is not born out of a lack of respect for residents in those areas. I know the vast majority are honest and law-abiding citizens. It's just the few hotheads that might create a problem."
With the stress police officers already encounter on duty, the prospect of problems off the job makes the housing program less attractive.
"I need to distance myself," the officer said. "It is not a matter of the people in the neighborhoods. It is my own fear about the likelihood of me having problems in those neighborhoods."
The program is awaiting final approval from City Council, which is expected to act Monday on the proposed Community Development Block Grant budget. The initial budget calls for $45,735 to be set aside to subsidize loans next year for the program. City officials say more money could be made available, depending on its popularity with police.
The goal of the program, which would cover about half the city's housing and about one-fourth of its land area, would be to get more police officers living in the city.
Among the eligible neighborhoods are Melrose, Loudon, Harrison, Gilmer, Gainsboro, Hurt Park, Highland Park, Fallon Park, Kenwood, Belmont and Morningside.
Officials hope that the presence of police officers would be a stabilizing influence in neighborhoods where some housing has been allowed to fall into disrepair.
"I have heard some positive comments as to the availability of such a program," Hooper said. "The staff is favorable."
City officials also received favorable comments about the program during a trip to Columbia, S.C., which already has a similar program.
George Snead, Roanoke's Director of Public Safety, said Columbia residents have found that police officers tend to upgrade their property and become more involved in communities where they live.
"Many residents see real value in having a police officer live in their neighborhoods," Snead said. "They feel it makes their neighborhoods safer."
In turn, that encourages other homeowners to start repairing and improving their houses.
"It is kind of a catching idea," Snead said. "The concept of police home ownership lends itself to a closer relationship between the officers and the neighborhoods."
Roanoke officials started talking about the program last fall after City Manager Bob Herbert read a magazine story about the Columbia program.
"We wanted our police officers to know the community," said Dan Pollock, the city's housing development coordinator. "We want the community to know the police officers."
by CNB