Thirty years is a lot of time as neighbors collectively working to renew their corner of the world.

On October 4, people gathered at the East Arlington Police Service Center to congratulate East Arlington Renewal on 30 years of neighborhood progress.

In October 1982, neighbors concerned about the appearance of their neighborhood, joined together for a cleanup event and formed East Arlington Renewal.

Today, these residents continue to organize neighborhood beautification efforts. They have formed many business and community partnerships that have served to enhance safety and overall quality of life for east Arlington families.

At the 30^th anniversary celebration on October 4, EAR President Sue Phillips summarized three decades of progress.

Neighbors welcomed special guests from the City of Arlington, including members of the Arlington City Council, Police Department and Fire Department. A roster of many former city directors and police officials from the 1980s also returned for the celebration.

East Arlington Renewal has a lot to celebrate,including contributing to a 16 percent drop in crime over a five-year period, according to Acting Deputy Chief Os Flores.

The quality of life has been improved by the addition of new parks and recreational amenities, according to a Parks Director Pete Jaimeson. Residents applauded plans for more improvements on the way.

Acting Chief Will Johnson presented Phillips with the official challenge coin, and the Fire Chief Don Crowson made her the department's first honorary member.

Congratulations, East Arlington Renewal!

By Cheryel Carpenter