Several downtown Kent business owners and residents threw a pizza party for the Kent Police to recognize the department’s work to clean up crime along First Avenue South.

A couple of houses along the street had become a center for illegal drug activity. Burglaries and thefts also had increased.

“It’s to say thank you and that we appreciate all that they do and for cleaning up First Avenue,” said Randall Smith, owner of All Pro Building Maintenance, 324 First Ave. S. “We had a situation with a building where there was a lot of illegal activity. They came over and got it cleaned up and now all the drug activity is gone.”

A member of the Kent’s Police Neighborhood Response Team met earlier this year with a group of business owners and residents to discuss the issue and figure out answers.

“We had issues of a house or two where people were hanging out, causing problems and committing crimes,” said Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas. “We worked to get a certain person removed through a court order.”

Police also increased bicycle officer patrols along the street.

Myron Johnson, who runs Farmers Insurance at 419 First Avenue S., said the bicycle patrols help reduce crime.

“Those guys come up quiet,” Johnson said. “They come up on a lot of things that are going on. They don’t have to get out of the car and go look for something, they are right next to it. They have made a huge impact. I think the bicycle patrol is something we need to keep going. They run across more activity than most policeman. They ride down alleys and in between houses and they see everything happening.”

Thomas, who helped bring back bicycle patrols in May after a six-month absence from the streets, said that unit will remain.

“They’re going to stay,” Thomas said.

When Smith, Johnson and others from First Avenue South brought pizza to the Police Station during a July 12 shift change, the gesture was well received.

“We very much appreciate their recognition of our staff for the work they have done,” Thomas said. “It’s very nice to see.”

Thomas added residents delivering pizza to officers isn’t something he’s seen very often and the action certainly surprised the staff.

“We’re working hard to improve the quality of life,” Thomas said. “But really, we’re just doing our jobs.”

It’s a job First Avenue residents and businesses wanted people to know about.

“The area is kind of a magnet for a whole lot of homeless and undesirable types who are doing a lot of illegal activities,” said Keith Minkler, who is retired and lives in the neighborhood. “They pretty much cleared that up.”

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