Purpose of our group

Hello Neighbors,
So I've been asked by several people lately, "What is the goal of your group?"

I have a hard time answering because I only know my feelings.  I don't really know how the rest of you feel.

Here is what I think. 

In the beginning, the group was formed with the help of the Flagstaff Police Dept.  The focus was on Bushmaster and trying to encourage citizens to participate in making the park safer mostly by calling in when suspicious activity was taking place.  So far most of our meetings have been PD led.  Ken and Drew report on crime for the month and folks ask questions etc.  I think this leads to low turnout.  Once folks here about the crime and what they should do, why should they come back??

Here is my thought.  The only thing that is going to make that park safe is if the neighbors get to know one another.  It has got to be grassroots.  When you can identify your neighbors by face if not by name, then you know who belongs and who doesn't.  I'm not saying that other people in Flagstaff can't use the park, but I think the majority of park users are from the neighborhood.  If we start talking to one another, then we know that we have each other's back.  Even if we don't agree on politics or other issues, we still have each other in our best interest.  So my thought is that our group should be more about community development--sponsoring events, getting grants to do things, having a unified voice when asked by the city what we want to do with the park.  My high and mighty goal would be to get a community center built-- a place where we can have meetings, classes, etc.  But for now, just having regular meetings where we can meet one another and develop a community.  What do others think?