If residents living near Superior Park Drive in Cleveland Heights have felt dormant, recent criminal activity has been enough to produce some unpleasant wake up calls.

On Monday, April 14, around 10:15 p.m., a female tenant of Superior Park was exiting her car in the parking lot with a family member in tow. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary, including the van facing them across the way. Suddenly, two young individuals in hoods sprang from the van. These young assailants placed guns at the head of the woman and her family member and made them lie down on the pavement. The woman and her family member were robbed of approximately $70 and their cellular telephones.

Wednesday, April 16, on Superior Park Drive, a pizza delivery man was sitting in his car counting money when he was approached at gunpoint in the same manner as had occurred two nights before. The delivery man attempted to flee, and was then shot in the leg.

Two robberies and a shooting were more than enough for some residents of Superior Park Drive. A group of tenants took it upon themselves to say: "Enough is enough." The tenants took flyers to every home, apartment, car and storefront near Superior Park Drive, alerting people of the crime and giving a description of the criminals. They arranged a meeting at Cleveland Heights City Hall to discuss the armed robberies and to share ideas on how to prevent future criminal activity. One tenant went door-to-door, reminding tenants and residents of the meeting and listening to suggestions they might have. Prior to the meeting, the tenant went out every night around 11 p.m. to survey the parking lots, streets and alleys, alerting the police to anything remotely suspicious.

A neighborhood watch is one of the ideas being discussed for a safer street. Information of recent criminal activity has been written, not as a scare tactic, but as a note of caution.

On a personal note, I have lived on Superior Park Drive for almost five years and, thank G-d, have never felt a sense of fear for the neighborhood. It is a pity that the wrongdoers' actions have violated the sanctity of some of our residents. If anything, these robberies have encouraged me to renew relationships with my neighbors and to build a stronger connection with my city -- Cleveland Heights.

Superior Park is a vibrant street with good neighbors, a beautiful park and street block parties in the summertime. Superior Park will continue to operate as a street where everyone knows your name, and to maintain constant vigilance against any unpleasant characters or activity that tries to get in the way. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin.

Esther Feldman lives on Superior Park Drive in Cleveland Heights, Ohio