LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — The Lancaster County neighborhood around Thaddeus Stevens’ Griscom Education Center has had issues with vandalism, trash, speeding, and parking for several years, according to surrounding neighbors.
“I [would] walk outside my house and there was no parking because students were coming and going from their classes. Now, I haven’t seen a student park in front of our houses since the school year began,” said Lisa Schreiber, a 10-year neighborhood resident.
She says that’s thanks to the school’s Good Neighbor policy, a move that the college made recently after hearing the community’s complaints and speaking with local leaders.
And Schreiber says before the Good Neighbor policy was put into place, the community was a disaster. According to Schreiber, because of the college’s work, the value of the community has been restored.
The Good Neighbor policy requires students and staff to park in designated areas and keep the neighborhood clean, quiet and safe.
The college also added new street safety features to reduce speeding.
“I think there were some areas that we could all address and we really worked towards that and we’re seeing the positive changes through communication and just taking action,” said Christopher Metzler, vice president of student services at Thaddeus Stevens College.
Some students say the changes are understandable but frustrating.
“I think it makes sense to park in either of the lots. The closest lot is often full, and you have to pay to park in that one. So, it’s kind of annoying,” said Jessica Lambi, a student at Thaddeus Stevens College.
However, Metzler thinks this situation taught students a valuable lesson.
“It’s critical for us to grow the student, the whole student, not just academically and technically but also as a person and being responsive as citizens to what their neighbors want,” said Metzler.
A lesson that residents, like Schreiber, are grateful students have learned.
“It’s almost like we are in a small quiet neighborhood again and that’s what we loved about it before,” said Shreiber.
The neighborhood also asked for Thaddeus Stevens College to create a campus police force, but they have declined to do so at this time.