Members of the Lehigh Acres Community Initiative met Dec. 9 to celebrate the group’s successes and discuss new goals for the upcoming year.

The initiative, which began in 2008, is a citizen-driven effort in conjunction with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and public and private service providers to reduce crime and increase the quality of life in Lehigh Acres.

By all measures 2010 was an overwhelming success. Between 2009 and 2010:

Neighborhood Beautification Projects grew from five to 10;

The amount of garbage removed from Lehigh Acres streets increased from 10.41 tons to 21.34 tons;

Neighborhood Beautification Project volunteers increased from 258 to 776.

Not surprisingly, cleaner neighborhoods was the likely cause for the decline in code enforcement violations in southwest Lehigh Acres. Overall, there were 808 fewer violations between 2009 and 2010, from 3,636 to 2,828, in two zones in the Community Initiative site.

Other notable 2010 highlights include 99 homes purchased and rehabilitated in Lehigh Acres as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, administered by the Lee County Department of Human Services. Some 40 homes already have been sold.

The year saw nine new Neighborhood Watch groups, bringing the total to 27 watch groups in the site area, as well as 15 anti-residential burglary outreach events held in the community.

Residents are encouraged to participate. For more information, call Andrea Adams at 477-1485.

Stan Nelson is manager of Planning and Research Division of the Sherriff’s Office. -Ed.