DAYTON â Residents in the Twin Towers community are determined to take back their neighborhood, especially after the recent uptick in crime.
For Leslie Sheward, being president of the Twin Towers neighborhood association is more than just a title, itâs her life.
âThe whole neighborhood is sort of like a salad bowl where each culture brings its own flavor and uniqueness into our communityâ said Leslie Sheward, Twin Towers neighborhood association president.
Sheward says the area is rich in culture and diversity, but fears the increased crime creeping onto their streets puts all that in jeopardy.
âIf the residents take an active voice then the courts will listen, if the residents sit and complain to themselves then their voices go unheardâ said Sheward.
After the arrest of Demond Harris, suspected of murdering a man back in June on Xenia Avenue, and the News Years Day murder on Hulbert Avenue, both streets are in the heart of the Twin Towers community. Concerned residents are taking a proactive stance by vowing to report suspicious activity to police before it grows deadly.
"We're not going to tolerate illegal activity on our block. That sends a signal to the people moving in, no this isnât the place for us, letâs go somewhere else. If a neighborhood looks like no one cares about it, then crime is going to set up shop" said Sheward.
Community organizers hope their efforts to clean up the Twin Towers area can serve as a platform for other communities to improve. Theyâre planning a community-wide meeting within the next two weeks.