Skycrest Neighborhood Shaken in Wake of Stabbing
Residents are sad for the family of Jason Taylor Paul and scared for their safety in the Skycrest neighborhood.
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Residents are sad for the family of Jason Taylor Paul, they also are scared for their safety in the Skycrest neighborhood.
Paul, 22 was found stabbed, lying dead on the road a few blocks from his house around 12:40 a.m. near Crest Lake Park.
Scott Wesley lives two houses away from where Paul’s body was found. Wesley said he recently got back from vacation and was home sleeping when the incident took place.
“It’s a shame,” he said.
He also called it "disturbing," adding that it was the second time in a year violence happened on his street. Melissa Dohme was brutally stabbed close to where this incident occurred. Dohme did survive the attack.
Wesley said he is going to his first city council meeting next week to find out what city leaders are going to do about safety in the Skycrest neighborhood.
Elizabeth Watts, police spokeswoman, said police are active in the neighborhood and at Crest Lake Park. She said there have been 352 calls for services since June, mostly for suspicious people, ordinance violations and complaints about the homeless.
“We are out here patrolling every day,” Watts said. “We are out here pretty frequently for visibility, to enforce park hours and to have a police presence.”
Dawn Lakin feels less safe than she did when she moved into the neighborhood in 1983.
“It’s scary,” Lakin said.
Lakin passed out fliers seeking a suspect in the stabbing Monday evening and talked with neighbors. Lakin lives at the south end of Glenwood Avenue and is a member of the Skycrest Neighborhood Association.
She has been involved for the last few years, she said. Lakin said she helped organize a fundraiser at the park last year in support of Dohme.
“It’s my neighborhood,” Lakin said.
To help:
Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect.
Anyone with information can contact Clearwater Police's Tip Line at 727-562-4422. Send tips anonymously to 847411 (tip411) or online at the police website www.clearwaterpolice.org or Facebook page.
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Christine Petellat
8:08 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I remember this park has had nothing but tragedy after tragedy since as far back as the 70's. That's just my memory so probably even more. Maybe it's time for a serious face lift with lots of lighting. Or CLOSE it!!!
Michael D.
9:54 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Closing it isn't the issue, but more lighting would be a vast improvement. Even with the current lighting it is extremely dark at night. I like the park, but won't go there after sunset.