Building a Stronger Dodge Flower: 2025 Survey Results & Next Steps

Over the past two years, the Dodge Flower Neighborhood Association (DFNA) has grown in activity and ambition. However, we remain a grassroots group with limited resources, relying on a small core of about 10 dedicated volunteers. To ensure our efforts match the community's needs, we conducted a neighborhood-wide survey in late 2025 to identify your top priorities.

In January, we shared these results with the community and held a brainstorming session, which the Leadership Council further refined during our February meeting. Here is what we learned and how we plan to move forward.

Community Insights: Safety & Quality of Life

While most residents feel safe during the day, nighttime brings significant concerns regarding theft, drug-related activity, and gun violence. Beyond crime, the survey highlighted several "quality of life" challenges:

• Social Isolation: A desire for stronger connections between neighbors.
• Infrastructure: Dangerous traffic, lack of shade, and a need for more sidewalks.
• Environment: General signs of neglect, including illegal dumping and litter.
• Complex Social Issues: High concern regarding homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse.
• Enforcement: A need for more consistent policing regarding speeding and public drug use.

Our Strategy: Focus Where We Can Lead

Given our small team, we must be strategic. While issues like homelessness and mental health are high priorities, they are complex city-wide challenges. The DFNA will support broader city initiatives in these areas, but our direct action will focus on initiatives where we can make a tangible local impact.​

2026 Priority Action Areas

We will continue to refine this list at next month’s Leadership Council meeting. Current focus areas include:
1. Strengthening Neighborhood Connections

• Organizing community events to turn neighbors into friends.
• Creating collaborative groups to tackle shared local concerns.

2. Improving the Physical Environment

• Cleanliness: A high-focus campaign to reduce illegal dumping and dog waste.
• Greening: Increasing street-level shade and advocating for better bike/pedestrian infrastructure.
• Arts: Completing the mosaic artwork on the E. Flower and Richey traffic circle.

3. Enhancing Traffic Safety

• Advocating for better lighting and traffic-calming measures.
• Exploring the use of resident camera footage to identify frequent speeders.

4. Crime Prevention & Policing

• Education: Connecting residents with existing safety programs and resources.
• Security: Assisting neighbors with the installation of safety lights and webcams.
• Advocacy: Organizing community presence at police meetings to demand stronger enforcement of traffic and drug laws.

5. Affordability & Opportunity

• Explore ways to help vulnerable neighbors manage utility and food costs.
• Lobbying for local business development to increase nearby employment.

Want to Dive Deeper?

This summary is just the beginning. For a detailed breakdown of the data and community feedback, please review:
Minutes of the DFNA January 24th Meeting
Full Report on the 2025 Dodge Flower Neighborhood Safety Survey