West Chester Borough
University Area Neighborhood Task Force Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The mission charged by West Chester Borough Council to the
University Area Neighborhood Task Force is to identify and
document problems and concerns that are negatively affecting
University area neighborhoods and the Borough as a whole, and to
identify possible strategies for addressing these problems and
issues.
This report is a summary of findings and recommendations from
18 months of work by the University Area Neighborhood Task Force.
This report is meant to guide Borough and University leaders and
empower residents as we continue to work together to improve the
quality of life in the Borough of West Chester.
The University Area Neighborhood Task Force Report
does the following:
- Identifies the problems affecting the University Area
- Neighborhood and the affect on both the neighborhood and the
Borough as a whole.
- Frames the issues ("Introduction"):
- Background information: "Where We've Been"
- The current situation: "Where We Are Now"
- A vision for an improved future: "Where We Are Going"
- Seeks to present realistic expectations and fact-based
information ("Reality Check"; "Dispelling Myths")
- Makes recommendations for action by Borough Council and the
University to improve the quality of life in the University Area
Neighborhood and the Borough as a whole. ("Recommendations")
- Makes use of nationally recognized research data, and builds
on strategies that have been proven effective.
("Recommendations"; "Appendices")
- Lists resources: individuals, organizations, websites, and
research data. ("Resources"; "Appendices")
How should this report be used?
Although specifically written for and at the request of the
West Chester Borough Council, a copy of the report will be
presented to Dr. Madeline Wing Adler, President, West Chester
University. It is the hope of the Task Force that the University
will carefully review this report and will commit to being a
partner with the Borough in addressing these recommendations.
Framing the issues
Borough Council, the Mayor and other high-level decision
makers from the community and the University must work together
to create a multi-faceted comprehensive approach and speak wit
one voice in order to make any real progress, (i.e. local
government, university, residents and business community)
Two issues are at the heart of the problems identified by the
Task Force:
- Violations of the liquor law:
- Including underage drinking, public drunkenness, open
containers, serving alcohol to visible intoxicated people.
- Density:
- Number of 18-24 year olds living in the Borough, on and off
campus
- Rentals in the university area neighborhood
- Density of liquor licenses in the Borough
Task Force Recommendations:
Education/Communication:
- Create a High-Level "Campus/Community Coalition"
- Revamp the "Town Gown Council"
- Create a Booklet: "Guide to Life in the University Area
Neighborhood"
- Partner with and/or Support Campus/Community Initiatives of
the West Chester University Foundation
Environmental:
- Deny New Liquor License Transfers into the Borough
- Support "Safety Shuttle" Project
- Collaborate with Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) in
marketing benefits of RAMP (Responsible Alcohol Management
Program) to liquor license establishments to take part in RAMP
training and/or certification.
- Support "Business Watch" Program
- Support the Recommendations of the Pennsylvania Economy
League (PEL) Study
Enforcement:
(Police Initiatives)
- Support West Chester Police Department need for increase in
personnel
- Support West Chester Police Department grant applications
for Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board programs
- Encourage WCPD expanded use of Emergency Medical
Technician's (EMT s) and hospitals
- Encourage and support WCU to evaluate the use of on-campus
facilities (sucl as the Health and Wellness Center) as an
alternative to Borough jail cells for holding intoxicated
university students.
(Judicial Initiatives)
- Support "Young Adult Community Conferencing" ("YACC")
(PLCB and LCE Initiatives)
- Empower and Educate Residents about laws and rights
regarding "Nuisance Bars"
Conclusion:
The recommendations of this Task Force are meant to be part
of a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving the
resources of both the Borough and the University,
It is reasonable to expect that with a carefully coordinated
campus/community effort that alcohol-fueled incidents can be
reduced and the quality of life in the University Area
Neighborhood improved. It could take 5 years (a generation of
university students) to evaluate the success of our initiatives
to improve safety and quality of life for the residents of the
University Area Neighborhood and the Borough as a whole.
Copies of this report will become available from the office
of West Chester Borough Manager and at the Borough's website: www.west-chester.com.
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