When Lt. Stephen Shea had his first encounter with Beaver Hills’ alderwoman-in-waiting, he had something to show her: his BlackBerry.
The subject was computers, and how to let neighbors know about police-community meetings.
The occasion was a “meet and greet” Wednesday at the police substation at Whalley and Norton for Shea and the “WEB” (Whalley-Edgewood-Beaver Hills) management team.
Some 15 to 20 neighbors came to say hello — or say hello again — to Shea over sandwiches, finger foods and cake. Shea was recently named WEB’s new district manager, a position he held in the past. Shea said he’s glad to be back. His first goal: get back in touch with the community.
Among those present to shake his hand was Claudette Robinson-Thorpe (in photo with Shea). Earlier this month Robinson-Thorpe won a Democratic primary to serve as Ward 28’s next alderwoman. (She doesn’t have a challenger on the November general election ballot.)
Robinson-Thorpe said she almost missed the meet and greet because she didn’t know about it. Involving more people in the ward was one focus of her campaign.
“You know how I found out about this today?” she asked. “A Jewish man. We weren’t informed of this.”
“I’m sorry, I never had phone numbers and we had never met,” said Shea. He agreed with Robinson-Thorpe about the need to reach people through mailers or other offline methods.
“That’s right,” he said., “I’ve heard people say that before: ‘Just email us.’ But not everybody has a computer.”
Then he pulled out his BlackBerry.
“You gotta get one of these,” he told Robinson-Thorpe.
His mini-tutorial didn’t sell her on the gadget.“I don’t like them. I think the letters are too small for me, but I’m open,” Robinson-Thorpe said later. “I’m gonna get a new phone with internet capability, but probably not a Blackberry.”
Robinson-Thorpe said she’s looking forward to working with Shea.
“He just seems like he’s not all about being the boss,” she said. “I might be wrong but I’m usually a good judge of character.”
She and Robinson-Thorpe chatted about the need to focus on crime on Winthrop Avenue, Carmel Street, and Norton Street.
“The WEB is one of the most active management teams in the city,” said Shea. “We always get a good turnout here. They also get us involved, which is a great thing for me. The strategy has to be all of us working together. Because if we’re not gonna all work together, then we’re not gonna be able to get anything accomplished.”
“Oh, without a doubt,” Robinson-Thorpe responded. “I’ve already signed up.”