Seward Walkers up and running

BY ED FELIEN

When people at the meeting of the Seward Neighborhood Group’s Crime and Safety Committee brought up the idea of people walking around the neighborhood in an organized manner, Kathy Sikora reminded the group that Seward had a Stroll Patrol for about seven years. It had started many years ago as a West River Road Walk after a woman was assaulted there. Eventually, though, interest in the group flagged and it stopped walking on an organized basis.

“It’s difficult to find volunteers,” said Sikora. That’s when Dick Westby stepped in. He volunteered to start a Seward Walkers group—less emphasis on the “Patrol” aspect and more emphasis on fun and visiting neighbors’ gardens and local businesses.

They had their first neighborhood walk Thursday, April 14, and they walk every Tuesday in the west side of Seward, along Franklin Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods, meeting at 7 p.m. at Welna II Hardware. A Thursday group meets at 7 p.m. at Matthews Park and walks generally toward the River and back. Dick uses the opportunity to tell newcomers about the history of the neighborhood.

Their purpose is not to catch criminals in the act, but rather to prevent crime by acting as another pair of eyes watching out for illegal activity. If they do see illegal activity they report it to 911, so if you’re thinking of participating you won’t need a cape and you won’t have to wear your underwear outside your tights. If you would like to walk with the group and get a feel for Seward after dark, contact Kathy Sikora at ksikora@me.umn.edu or 612-375-1696 or call Dick Westby at 612-722-2853.