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Beautifying
The Barrio
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Most homeowners worry when a neighborhood becomes rundown. A new program, called Code Rangers, is meant to empower neighbors so they learn how to keep their streets clean and their property values up. Reed Galin takes a ride with one of the rangers on patrol. [Spanish] |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Ft. Worth, Texas)
The Reverend Dan Flores sees signs of hope.
Nat/Pastor drives by houses: “People love their brickwork.”
There’s a new business going up – a laundromat and doughnut shop.
The Rev. Dan Flores/La Trinidad United Methodist Church: “People will
rise to the occasion. People will take pride in their neighborhood.”
Flores lives and preaches in the Fort Worth barrios where he’s pastor of
La Trinidad United Methodist Church. He’s also one of the
Code Rangers, a neighborhood group of
volunteers trained to watch for and report violations of city codes.
The Rev. Dr. Dan Flores/La Trinidad United Methodist Church: “I was
tired of seeing the illegal dumping. We have a lot of abandoned houses.
Some are crack houses, and illegal dumping seems to contribute to the
problem.”
The church helped sponsor a training class to put more Code Rangers on
the streets.
Rosa Medina/Code Ranger: “I just wanted to learn what it is to maintain
my property and keep the community clean that I live in.”
Cesareo Lopez has one of the best-kept yards in the neighborhood, and
wishes others would follow his example.
Cesareo Lopez/Fort Worth Resident: “Your appearance of your home is a
reflection on your person.”
City officers check out information from the Code Rangers and can fine
property owners who are breaking the law.
Shelly Garcia/Code Enforcement Officer: “It has helped us so much. The
eyes and ears let us know what’s going on on the weekends in the
neighborhood.”
Flores says code enforcement can do more than get rid of neighborhood
nuisances. He says it empowers those who live in the barrios and brings
back pride.
The Rev. Dan Flores: “If we don’t take ownership here, then we’ve really
abandoned ourselves to strangers. We want to be here as friends and a
close-knit community.”
TAG:
More than 250 Fort Worth residents, representing 69 neighborhood
associations, have received the Code Rangers training.
For more information about the program, go to the
Ft. Worth official Web
site or call La Trinidad United Methodist Church at 817-624-3242.