Viewfinder: Franklin Park's Community Police Officer Making a Difference

Greenbelt Police Department Officer Tim White patrols the 21 miles of sidewalks and 2,877 apartment units of the 153-acre multi-family property — the second largest east of the Mississippi River — known as .

Now managed by Fieldstone Properties, the community is slowly making it's way back from years of mismanagement, neglect and criminal decay. Debbie Dillon, executive vice president for Fieldstone Properties, said that when she arrived last summer from Dallas, Texas she witnessed something never experienced in her 30 years of managing multi-family properties.

Vendors were knocking at the door wanting to get paid, 250 units needed to be evicted and 40 to 50 units were identified for criminal activity, Dillon said.

"To do that simultaneously has been a huge undertaking. Never in my life have I seen anything like it. It's been a roller coaster ride." she added.

White, who said that he chose the assignment, has seen both the old and new management companies firsthand, and he has noted a clearer vision and focus by Fieldstone Properties.

"From the get-go, when the management company began, they asked, 'What are some of the issues? What do we need to do? We need a list of all those tenants causing all your problems and headaches,'" White said.

A list was made, and 42 units were were given notices to vacate. White said that this was the biggest move, the biggest step forward for the property. His nine-year career in patrol, narcotics and investigations as well as his service to the department's SWAT team has prepared him well for his role at Franklin Park.

White said he makes it a point of getting to know the residents, garbage collectors, and the postal and maintenance workers because they know what's going on in the community.

"I look at it as a challenge— focus on root of some of the issues and problems in an attempt to make a long-term impact and make the community a better place," White said, adding, "A smile and 'Hey, how's it going?' goes a long way."