Riverside Rediscovered, the community group formed as part of the effort afoot to redevelop the Southampton hamlet of Riverside, is hosting a discussion next Tuesday, March 1 on what can be done to address crime, addiction and violence in the community.
Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis will be leading a presentation about the Council of Thought and Action, a grassroots movement she developed in 2008 while she was working as an assistant District Attorney for Nassau County.
The group, known by its acronym COTA, holds council meetings where members discuss the week’s events in the neighborhood, and discuss what can be done to change the culture of the community. Similar groups have been helpful in changing the culture of communities on Long Island where drug dealing, gang violence and prison sentences are common.
COTA formed its first community group in Hempstead, and has also begun to work in Wyandanch and North Bellport.
“At Riverside Rediscovered, we believe that COTA offers community strategies that can help address the addiction, crime and violence currently rooted in our community,” said the Riverside organizers who announced the meeting on Monday. “This is an excellent opportunity for all of us to start engaging around community driven solutions.”
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Riverside Rediscovered office at 108 Peconic Avenue in Riverside. RSVP, if possible, to 631.591.3926. Refreshments will be served.
