METHUEN — A group of residents, public safety officials and politicians have formed a new Public Safety Committee.
The group will review residents' issues and problems and tackle things such as neighborhood patrols, sidewalks, school safety and lighting in parks, said City Councilor Deborah Quinn.
The group consists of police and fire officials, a probation officer, residents, and members of the city council and school committee. Quinn hopes the group will have conferences with neighborhood groups.
"I'm hoping that the city will get together and, as a body, try to figure what will be best for the city," said committee member Joan Mannke, who lives in the Methuen Housing Authority on Mystic Street.
Mannke is interested in sidewalks near schools, because "there aren't enough of them," she said.
Mannke said she feels safe living in Methuen, and she complimented the police for talking to senior citizens about purse snatching and fraud.
"I'd like to see more of that," she said.
Police Capt. Thomas Fram said he and Chief Katherine Lavigne have high hopes for the committee, especially since it includes a cross section of people.
"It'll take a little time to get things rolling, (but over time, they will) do some good things for the community," Fram said.
The group plans to set up a table at the fireworks display at Nicholson Stadium tomorrow night. They will give out names and contact information and tell people what the committee is about, Quinn said.
