Dunedin is a great little town No need to separate the area. We live on Union . I guess that's considered the South side? We love it here. Keep up the good work . Trust the officers to keep us safe!

I didn't know I was a "Southie" until a few years ago. I live close to the library, but also close to Union where there is a lot of criminal activity. We are still Dunedin and viewing this area as such is really all we ask.

I live on Dunedin's Southeast tip...Keene and Union...a bit east of the "problem" pockets. THIS conversation on revitalizing and staying on the backs of the sheriff's office IS the conversation the city needs to keep having rather than wasting time on needless discussions such as closing Main St. between Highland and Douglas. Downtown is just fine, thank you very much. Calling the "southside" something else is not going to lessen the issues.

In direct response to the question posed by the writer of the article, No. "Southside" is nothing more than a geographical reference to the southern most portion of any town. In some cities the south side is rough and in others is not. The south side of Dunedin from Patricia on the west border to Lyndhurst on the north and Union on the south need help. They need everything from stepped up patrols to street lights and paving. The people who live in this area are not looking for a hand out they just need help. If as much attention could be paid to this area as is spent on downtown the tide could be turned.

Trying to rename the area in my opinion seems like a way to ignore or avoid the issues. Dunedin was not always like this. We dont live in one of the problem areas, but close enough to it where we are seriously condidering moving. I went to high school here. I've owned my own home for 10 years here. I never thought in a million years Dunedin would get this bad. Do you think we have a chance on getting back on any, "Best Places to Retire" lists now? The city needs to get serious and stay serious. I just hope its not too little too late.

It nice to see the commision talking about somthing other that their "precious Downtown".

They sure know how to blow the cash, who really beifits with the "Downtown Investment" certainly not the commmon tax payer or property owner. If the downtown buisness had to contribute, for thier own benifit, how much would be done?

I live in the SOUTHSIDE...There need to be MASSIVE improvements...street repairs/pavong, street lighting, landscaping...Keeping "RIF-RAFF" such as drugs and their dealers, thieves...out of this area by MORE police presence! As Mark said do something for the SOUTHSIDE and forget about "Precious Downtown"...@ Ed Harris...SOUTHSIDE is nothing more than a geographical reference???? Are you serious????? You are SO wrong! But your comments about our needs are spot-on. Not speaking the word "SOUTHSIDE" isn't going to change anything....ACTION is....Mayor, THERE ARE REAL PROBLEMS HERE...USE THOSE VOTES THAT WON YOU ELECTION AND KEEP YOUR PROMISES AND MORE....Lets hear a plan and put it into action NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too much tome and money has been spent on downtown and we are forsaken!

Sorry Lori did not mean to offend. I was trying to dispute the idea that simply not calling the southside the Southside would in some way solve a problem. I felt like bursting that bubble might help lol seemed like the old political shell game to me.

Thanks Ed...but you have to live here to get the full effect of the problems...And when you live here and head north into "downtown" its VERY distressing to see how we again, are FORSAKEN!

Renaming the area will not prevent further problems, it is what it is. I live on James Street, and just this past weekend we have experienced theft, and chased off three Vagrants. The problem is bleeding through to the downtown area, as well. We simply need more than discussions and a better course of action, for all residents.

I live two blocks from the Police Department, but never see any active patrols in our area. We need more residents to be actively involved in community watches, paying attention to their surroundings and reporting suspicious behavior. Bike patrols would be a great addition throughout the area, as well. There is a lot of foot traffic, and it seems to be a reasonable solution as these Vagrants were on bicycles, and foot. Community bicycle patrols would benefit the community with more outreach to visitors, and residents who are out and about on a daily basis - able to address any immediate concerns - this can deter these criminals from striking our neighbors and entering our communities.

I see it daily Lori, we have be here since the 1930's The family has property on Douglas, Albert, Wood, Main, Patricia and Monroe. To me any and all property south of Main St is Southside. I used to walk to school from Wood St and remember what it used to look like. I am in the Southside daily and at night when doing emergency calls. I remember never having to worry about locking my van to now days when I feel like I've entered a war zone. I used to have a paper route when we lived on Beltrees as a kid too. There is no good reason why this area cannot be brought back to that standard. The south part of town may never have been the wealthiest part of Dunedin but it was clean, safe and good place to grow up.

THANK YOU!!!! NOW...where do we get the HELP!!!!!!!!!!?

We do not need ballparks and playgrounds for these dealers to find future buyers. We need city to establish ways to force Landlords to be more responsible for tenants. We need City to advise State Court and Judges stop turn keying criminals. We have one that has outstanding fines. Instead try keeping them in jail have them do community service. Make it uncomfortable when they commit crime.

One who did not pay fines got turned over to collections really?! You think he is worried about his credit!!!! Come on... This is what we deal with...

Lets start simple. 1. every one on the southside tell us about what you see out your window, on your street etc etc and post it here for all to see. If you don't have a computer tell a neighbor that does. By detailing issues here it is a lot harder for those in charge to ignore(not that they are). 2. Send a letter or email to our City Manager, he really is a great guy and will listen. He is not the type to sit on things and always speaks his mind. 3. Don't stop posting, emailing, mailing or calling. Just when you feel like your not getting anywhere is exactly the time to double your efforts. 4. Attend every City commission meeting you can, asking to be put on the agenda, it is not hard and is your right as a citizen. Commissioners will start knowing your faces and see you are there and care. This is not a threat to them in fact it empowers them because they have proof you care and are showing up even if you don't speak. Our commission is really made up of some good people, they want your input, they can't read peoples minds. 5. and finally realize this problem did not happen overnight and will not be solved in day, residents and business people have to be in it for the long haul so never never give up!

Ed where have you been we with the City have been working on this for going on a year. SO can only do so much. State Court turns them out in most cases in 4 hrs.

Stacy, then we double our efforts until the state court turns them out in eight hours then 24 then 72 and so on. We write judges, the States Atty office, we show up in court until we are taken seriously by all, I have to go to court in a few days as a witness for armed assault with a gun that happened at a food store. If you throw enough grits against a wall some of them will stick. At some point people who commit crimes will move on, the word will spread if you come here you will be caught and tried over and over so it's just not worth it.

Ed i will give u and anyone else court date just let me know.

Ed, I have a court date this week as well, do to issue in our neighborhood. Wonder, if judge will assist or let crime be business as usual.

Post it! How can that hurt? Just be very factual in your post leaving out opinion or supposition. If someone can help or attend I would think they would. I would hope people would air tips or advise. Time to pull out all the stops!

The fact that they are requiring more police speaks for itself.
unfortunately it does not resemble northern Dunedin (it resembles Clearwater).
You cannot control Landlords , build more parks with our money and it is simply another place for criminal activity. Maybe it needs it's own name ?It is a sad situation but there is an obvious dividing line..........based on behaviour.

Just a comment or two as I read the others. Believe me, as City Commissioner, we are very supportive of issues of concern to your community, as we are dedicated for all of Dunedin. And we are dedicated to addressing all perceived problems, wherever they arise. Rest assured of this, as our Commission seeks to make our entire community is the best ever! When we pose ideas for Dunedin's future in one area of the community, as I did lately, it should never be interpreted as neglecting other areas...ALL of Dunedin is high on our list, and this is a promise.
Ron Barnette,
Dunedin City Commissioner

All very nicely said, Ron. But the results are what residents deserve. Right now, after a year, as one poster mentioned, there are none. It's worse. Yet the mayor is in for a second term and you've been there how long? Being king at the parade and enjoying all the partying as a commish are great, but let's just get it done.

I meant to say that residents deserve results, not happy talk.

Derba, if you think your street is safe think again. The crime is happening in downtown Dunedin as well. As fas as "our tax dollars", perhaps you should remember many of us that live in this area pay our taxes as well. One of the "problem folks", live with their parents on Scotland.

As much as some might think this problem is isolated to the southside, as has been mentioned crime spreads. People have been robbed at knifepoint walking to their card at night off main st in downtown. The munchies off alt 19 north of michigan, robbed. Try going to the walgreens on main and CR1 late at night, tell me you dont get the creeps. Pull up pcso active calls, its everywhere. They have forsaken the southside because they didnt live there. Now the whole city pays the price.

Keep approving amscots and dollar stores. You reap what you sow.

Oh, and one last thing, lets not forget the $75k branding campaign. The one with the logo that looks just like the one created for the St. Pete Pier a few decades ago (and we all know how well that turned out for them). :p

I live on the Southside, I see very very slow improvement! The roads are crap, the lighting is spotty. Wanna beautify something? When you clean up the streets owners take more pride, at the rate the city is going we might as well have dirt roads. It does not solve it all but it's a good start. Are there rules to make landlords maintain their property?

Yes code enforcement. City is looking into what vero beach and other cities do with slum lords as well as repeat criminals at rental properries. We did pressure on State Attorneys office and judges to properly enforce laws. Four arrest for same crime and no punishment. Want roads clean? Have those destroying our neighbohoods, pick up trash for Community Service to pay off their fines. Put pink vest on them so all can see. Will send loud message. If is a juvenile let Mom and Dad pick up trash with "Jr", or "Sally". Bet Mom not getting nails done or Dad messing ballgame on tv will solve some of the problems. A little family bonding ordered by court. Bet kid will be less likely to commit crimes.

31 + comments but NONE from Scales, or Mayor ...This is going nowhere. I replicate the comments of Joey and Michelle ad Debra. Christine...thats all it is lip service....Mr. Barnette...Talk is cheap...You try living here and seeing all this! SOUTHSIDE IS NOT HIGH ON YOUR LIST....

So since we are HIGH ON YOUR LIST Mr. Barnett...When does the work begin????! Streets, lighting..."Beatutification",,, WE ARE WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Important question? How many that live south of Scotland have been threaten or imtimidated by those that are part of criminal element on your street?

Stacy..My friends/neighbors were held at gunpoint in a armed home invasion 14 months ago...No threats but the fear remains...Because the black guy, on a black bike dressed in all black was never found...and there are the same descriptions all over this area...all the time...

But again...We can sit here and comment all day...NOTHING changes...We are treated as if we are part of Clearwater...not Dunedin...Maybe these commissioners should rent a house in the SOUTHSIDE and see what we all see daily...

Could they pick him out of a photo?

Nope.Entire face was covered...NINJA style...And when a gun is held to your temple...

I want to sell but housing market down...Whats this SOUTHSIDE going to be like when market picks up in a year or two...screwed either way...

People should read the history of the Southside. It's one of our oldest neighborhoods, and several prominant families lived here at one time. We should respect this history by maintaining it and keeping it safe and beautiful. It is really sad what is happening here now. Are we really that brain dead that we can't figure out that what affects one part of the community has a ripple effect to the rest of the town?

Karen...Maybe you should email that statement to our wonderful Mayor and his colleagues....

ALL these comments need to go to our illustrious city officials....

If the commision really cared about the south of Dunedin they would make sure code enforcement was bring thing up to code. We see all kinds of talk about their Downtown, because that is what most visitors think all of Dunedin is like.

I have a business just south of Sunset point road and the same problem exists there. The Sherrif is not able to do much even though laws are broken daily and Drug traffic runs rampant. We must be so politcaly correct as not step on the toes of some minority, that the sherrifs must witness a crime and then the guy beats him of the the court house while the Sheriff is filling out paper work.

I am frustrated, and know the problems that all of you an the south side of Dunedin face. We live on Scotland and I keep a vigilant eye on people that do not "belong " in our neiborhood, I am not afraid to ask what they are doing in our alley if I think they are up to no good. A couple of year ago we could leave our house unlokced but no longer. I think the Sheriffs hands are tied by the Judges that let these guys back out on the street.

Yes Mark. They do not care....We are forgotten...We don't bring in any revenue for the city so why bother with us?

CAN SOMEONE FORWARD ALL THESE COMMENTS? IM NOT SAVY ENOUGH WITH TECHNOLOGY TO DO SO....

I pre-date most of you. I lived on the Southside growing up and live here again now. I am very disappointed in how the City of Dunedin has let this part of the city go under. You cannot blame it on Clearwater. For a very very long time they have had a rough section in the Northern part of their city. SO WHAT! That does not mean we let our side run into the ground! Stop wasting our time! If you want to get reelected come up with a public plan now! Start putting it in action this month, if not, our plan will be to vote you out of office!

Here Here Adam..SOMEBODY...ANYBODY...FWD THIS TO OFFICIALS

Ron you say preceived problems! Really? I did not see you or Julie S in November at Hale Center. You did not see 80 people angry and people yelling at Sheriff?

Thank you Dave, Julie B, Heather, and Greg. They have seen our problem first hand. They visit our neighbor hoods. I support city however, paper trail is building. Time for Ron and Julie S to get on board.

OK Ed, you said speak up!!> Tangerine Street vacant house "Problem Men" hang out there. James Street behind Victoria Palms Apts, "Problem Men", selling stuff and hanging out 24 hours a day. Rental property at 433 Dogwood 60+year old man has young boys and young men visit him all hours of day and night. Open field next to Victoria Palms as all kinds of foot traffic from James Street up to Live Oak and Dogwood duplexes. Maybe we should start painting the letter D in RED LETTERS in front of places were drug deals are going down? That way SO can connect DOTS>

Great input Anna!

I'm there too! There are a group of three young men who ride to that house at 433 Dogwood, they carry bags of something in and bags of something out but when they leave they go in different directions. I'm sure they are just selling Amway products and it's no big deal!

I think what Mr Harris wrote in his blog about lack of humility might apply to some of our leaders too. Time for them to get down here and get their hands dirty solving this crime problem!

If you think you are safe in 500 block of Scotland, or in area of President Street and Broadway, think again. They buy and sell in middle of street during day and on trail behind Bausers.

Anne Rose, I did a little drive around to see what you were talking about. You were right on the money. I swear it felt like I had just strayed two blocks off Bourbon St. This not good!

I agree getting code enforcement some coleones. I have a friend in charge of St. Pete's code enforcement, and believe me, that group would have this nipped in the bud a long time ago. Why in the world did residents vote for this mayor for a second term? I didn't. Time to storm the city meetings. Storm them. Storm the Sheriff's office. Sue the city for lack to response to keeping you safe. Yes, you do generate money for the city. You pay taxes. Do you have a cable bill? That's revenue for Dunedin. MAKE lots of noise and use your vote. Seriously, I'm thinking about running for city office soon. I graduated from DHS in 1974 and the non-response to this issue (yes, you too..Ron Burnette) is negligent and uncalled for.

Oh by the way if you think this problem with Drugs and Crime are on South Side, think again.. Krikwood and 900 blk of Lakewood Dr are where they run to hide from SO. Debra Graziano, I do not think Kirkwood or Lakewood are on Southside. What shall we call that area, since this is where they run to hide?

I discovered in court, you can not get protection from person known to be violent and making threats until he/she physically harms you. I think it would be a court date to late then for protection. Folks Court is not on side of you the tax payer and law abiding citizen.

Stacy...I see what you mean but from what the people posting on this thread are saying...NO DEPUTY comes out, patrols these critical areas and arrests these criminals. The city absolutely has power. We employ the sheriff's dept in lieu of having our own P.D. (which we had for a long time..anyone remember "scarface"? We would NEVER cross that officer..EVER), The mayor and commissioners can absolutely GET them to respond to these areas. The courts are going to do what they are going to do...but is our city gov't contacting these judges and asking them to be tough on these repeat offenders? That's what I'm talking about...the people we're voting for to run this city are NOT doing the hard work.

Not till it personally affects them, does anybody do the hard work. What is up with the judges? Why is everything political even when it comes to life and death?

I just wanted to add they are increasing the police presence in Dunedin dramatically these last few weeks, but I don't see any drug busts. Honestly I don't really see anything outside if traffic stops, and most if these are not in problem areas. Speeding and traffic violations aren't our problem. Very disappointing.

If we don't fix the drug problem now it will further erode Dunedin's rep. They are having trouble with the Blue Jays possibly moving so you have the spotlight on us as it is. Problems with crime don't help the matter at all.