Hi Nikki,
I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out again on behalf of the Belle Haven Seniors and Allies to follow up on the status of the safety plan for the Belle Haven Community Campus (BHCC). In light of the recent tragedies in Texas and the clear lack of adequate preparation by government officials there, we are increasingly concerned about the potential risks to our own community—especially our seniors—should an emergency occur here.
While we understand that not all emergencies can be prevented, many can be mitigated through clear, proactive, and well-communicated planning. You have mentioned on several occasions that the City has a safety plan in place for BHCC, but to date, no details have been shared with community members. At our previous senior center, regular emergency evacuation drills were conducted, giving both staff and participants a strong sense of preparedness and confidence.
Our concern is that without transparent communication and regular drills, the current safety plan may exist only as a document—ineffective in the face of a real crisis. City staff should not be left scrambling to locate procedures during an emergency. And if safety resources are as difficult to find as some materials on the City’s website, those who need immediate assistance could be placed in serious danger.
We want to reduce the risk of a preventable tragedy. Therefore, we are not looking for general statements or football analogies—like those used by state officials in Texas when responding to crises that could have been avoided. What we are asking for is meaningful, actionable prevention. Seniors at Belle Haven have been requesting a real safety plan since the building first opened. These concerns deserve direct, practical responses—not metaphors or vague reassurances.
Could you please share the current safety plan with us and let us know if any drills or training sessions are scheduled for BHCC? We remain committed to supporting a proactive and transparent approach to protecting our community. If needed, we are also prepared to gather petition signatures to further demonstrate community support for this request.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Belle Haven Seniors and Allies
