Initiative looks to change image of complex
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan JASPER POLICE CHIEF TODD HUNTER and Walter Diggles address a gathering at the Pine View Apartments.

There is a new apartment complex being introduced to the Jasper community.

A name has not been decided for the complex, which is located at 700 Pollard Street, but many are eagerly awaiting its arrival.

While some know the complex as Pine View Apartments, the winds of change are blowing at the complex with refreshing ideas being introduced to the community.

"These changes are to focus attention on some new things there for the folks instead of having no hope," said Walter Diggles, director of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments.

Partnering with local pastors, the Jasper Police Department and new owners at the complex, a new attitude is being displayed at the complex. McDougal Property Management recently purchased the property and has worked to institute the changes at the complex.

The changes were announced during a program at the complex on Aug. 7 during a National Night Out program.

One new program is POPs, Pastors on Patrol that was the vision of Jasper Police Chief Todd Hunter.

"We were having a lot of juvenile crime and narcotic sales at 700 Pollard and I was looking to change that area," Hunter said. "I wanted to look beyond why this 13-year-old was selling drugs and find out what were the possible reasons."

The program would have an apartment at the complex and set it up for pastors to come in daily and provide counseling to the residents of the complex.

"When you have pastors walking around the property, that in itself would deter crime," Hunter said. "We need to work at the root of the problem."

Hunter presented his POPS idea to the Jasper Ministerial Alliance, who welcomed the idea and have since held two meetings on the issue.

"Law enforcement is just a tool but often times we are the end tool," Hunter said. "I want to work on preventative measures before that."

Hunter said he sees POPS working with the whole community and not just at 700 Pollard.

Diggles said his involvement with the complex came with two hats. His first hat was as pastor of New Lighthouse COGIC Ministries and then came his involvement as director of DETCOG.

"The first hat I wore with this project was as a local pastor in the community," Diggles said. "Our church has been real active at quietly doing some things socially where churches can impact poverty areas.

"Then the DETCOG agency, we are doing these same type of things in Newton and Tyler counties, where you can provide health care and preventative health care services," Diggles said. "Then we can support the police departments with supplies to hand out for the kids to make sure it's not just law enforcement that is going on out there."

For many, the Pine View Apartments are known as "The Projects." And that was the first issue that challenged Diggles, Hunter and Williams.

"I think it is very important to do away with the projects stigma that is affiliated with that complex," Diggles said. "It adds to that perception that it is a bad community because it is the projects.

"Sometimes, people need a new fresh beginning is needed," Diggles said. "I think there are people there that want a change - that want a better life. They don't want the criminal activity there, they want a safe environment to live in. I think we can make a difference out there."

"It's extremely important for the entire city of Jasper to do away with the projects name because it's a stigma that can be placed on a child unfairly because of where he resides," Hunter said. "I think if we can remove that stigma, we can have some new hope there."

Working with apartment manager Vicki Williams, Diggles said several new initiatives are being introduced to the residents of the complex. Included are:

t Free weekly health screenings provided by the DET Foundation (blood pressure, glucose, etc.)

t Free after-school at-risk youth enrichment programs provided by the 21st Century Community Learning Center starting Aug. 28.

t New playground equipment to include the planting of trees and improved landscaping

t Pastors and Preachers on Patrol - presented by Hunter

t 200 free back to school back packs provided by DET Foundation (50 handed out during a National Night Out event at the complex)

t New name for the apartment complex to be chosen by residents

"There is always hope and you have to make sure people know there is hope," Diggles said. "This is an opportunity to show them more than just law enforcement. We need the whole village to raise this community."

Hunter agreed with Diggles in his assessment of the new complex.

"There is no reason to give up on this community," Hunter said. "We have a lot of kids that are community kids and they deserve the right to grow up like any other child. We need to focus on the kids of this community and give them a new hope and a new life."