The monthly meeting of the JoAnn Karr Crime Watch Group on July 27 included an introduction of the new Neighborhood Policing Officer (NPO), Steve St. Clair, who has worked in Pleasant Grove for nineteen years. In his report NPO St. Clair reported burglary has increased during the school summer break.

For the comfort of all in the area, officers have been more aggressive in ticketing people for loud music. He also reported that Sgt. Ronald Grant has provided “saturation” in the evenings to areas requiring extra officers, which was particularly helpful in Umphress Park.

Pastor Nelda Crawford of the Pleasant Mound Urban Park Methodist Church addressed the crime watch as well. She discussed a service her church offers known as Angel Food.  Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States (Pleasant Mound Website).

It allows participants, including seniors, to purchase food in bulk at affordable prices to assist them in preparing balanced meals . The program provides several options, including a variety of meats, vegetables, and desserts.

Pastor Crawford is a member of the Mayor Tom Leppert’s Southern Dallas Task Force. She provided a report on activities for the Pleasant Grove area. Pastor Crawford explained the Task Force has divided southern Dallas into ten basic sectors. She detailed the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and threats the group identified in the Pleasant Grove area.

Among the strengths is the significant skilled work force population in the area, however many people leave Pleasant Grove every day to work throughout Dallas and Ft. Worth.  Additional strengths include: accessibility; affordable homes; great diversity; historical area; large employers nearby; and 50 percent of adult residents are college educated.

Opportunities include the DART light rail development and a strong residential base attractive to national and local retailers.

One very interesting point that stood out is the relative youth of the community, as the median age in the Grove is 26.3 years.

Among the weaknesses or threats are: crime; lack of economic growth; lack of area unity; the public image or perception of the area; teen pregnancies; and having no “destination point” such as a major mall or entertainment venue. Pastor Crawford noted the Task Force determined the rebranding of Pleasant Grove is needed.

Many good things are going on in the Grove but few know about it. For example, we are graduating students from troubled schools who are obtaining scholarships and purusing a college education. Also, Eastfield Community College is hosting their grand opening of their Pleasant Grove campus on August 3.  The area now boasts two Chambers of Commerce – the SE Chamber and the SE Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Pastor Crawford reported plans are underway to launch a newspaper in the upcoming months. This will aid in addressing the community unity challenge by keeping citizens informed of happenings in the Grove. Also, major updates are planned for Crawford Park. Other changes will include a new equestrian center as part of the Trinity River Project. The center will be located off Loop 12 not far from the Audubon Center. Riding trails and riding lessons will be available.

Pastor Crawford cautioned that while these changes will occur gradually, all citizens are encouraged to be ready to do their part to put the “Pleasant” back in Pleasant Grove. This involves maintaining their property within code requirements, keeping trash off of streets and yards, and generally being “good neighbors.”

As promised in the June report, below are a few more tidbits of Grove history, provided by Frances James:
People originally settled in Pleasant Grove due to the three forks of the Trinity that merge within its area. They are Clear Fork, Elm Fork, and the East Fork which comes in at Kaufman.

There was an airport in the Grove in the 1950s. A plane crash occured that time; however, no one was hurt.

In 1878 Dr. Buckner signed the deed to build an orphanage at Buckner Blvd. and Samuell Blvd. He had meetings with Baptist churches in the area to introduce the residence. At one time 700 children were housed at the facility. They had a school and a dairy farm where the children worked. They also grew cotton, corn, and other food crops.

The cabin in downtown Dallas known as John Neeley Bryan’s cabin is actually the cabin where Dr. Buckner was born in Tennessee. It was taken apart and brought to Dallas for his birthday. He donated it to Dallas for historical purposes.

Originally, residents entered downtown Dallas by crossing Scyene Road at White Rock Creek, using logs for a crossing. From East Scyene and Sam Houston Road the Sanger Brothers brought milk for sale to downtown from their tenant farm. They covered the milk cans with wet sheets to keep the milk cool.