Neighborhood Watch

Last night at the office I hosted the first meeting of a new neighborhood watch group. It was a very productive meeting. The group is focused mainly on the section of Riverside between Stockton and Cherry, and between Post and Gilmore Streets. The first meeting was mostly to get together, see each others' faces, and brainstorm a bit.

Board member Leon Ross had several wonderful ideas, including organizing a social gathering to help even more neighbors meet one another. He also emphasized the power of keeping properties presentable, and explained how to contact the city to take care of code violations such as trash cans being left on the curb for days at a time. This is a theory in crime prevention, known as "broken windows". The idea is to stop minor violations, and the effect is to prevent major ones from developing. We discussed this, and agreed that it's probably a psychological effect on the potential criminal, but is more related to the presence of the person (i.e. Leon himself), than the absence of garbage.

So we agreed to organize a combination clean-up and cookout sometime in the next few months.

The officer present, Chris Barnhart, gave us some insight as to how various law enforcement processes work, such as long-term investigations into gangs and drug sales, and why calls against these groups can't translate into instant arrests. He also recommended that we go higher up the chain of command, and contact our city council members, the Mayor's office, and zone leaders. He also explained that more officers will be assigned to an area that gets more calls for service, and that we should be vigilant about calling in suspicious activity, even if it's just to log a report. Thankfully, he also explained that law enforcement officers MUST have probable cause before approaching someone.

So we agreed to call in suspicions, be patient, and to contact Councilman Jones specifically about getting new lights in a particularly dark corner of the neighborhood (Ernest and West).

Everyone had the chance to share their stories of crime impacting either themselves or friends in the area. A number of homeowners expressed the desire to stick around and improve the area, but that they were feeling stressed, and considering leaving if things didn't get better soon.

Leon and Chris Carter both responded that the problems faced by this place can't be escaped. Chris told about a relative who lived in almost total isolation in a nearby county, whose cattle were shot by a group of skinheads. Leon reminded us that things were a lot worse twenty years ago, and that neighborhoods go through cycles.

We also agreed to communicate to one another via email whenever a report is made, and distribute contact information and maps to improve our ability to communicate with one another.

If you are reading this and would like to get involved in the group, or have any more specific questions about the things we discussed, please get in touch with me at jmccharen@radocdc.org or 381.0950