Our neighborhood watch begins...

For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people's love and concern for each other.

-- Millard Fuller

On Sunday, September 9th, a man named Steven Klent gave all of us in the Alden Park area (and some would say, in the entire city of Tracy) a quiet wake-up call. For those who don't know, Mr. Klent, a 42-year-old "East Bay" resident, was found in our small park around 9:30am by one of our own, dead from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Soon after, news of this tragedy had us huddled in small groups around the park, kept at bay by yellow police tape and a beavy of officers who began the task of unraveling the mystery of this man's death.

The few details that have come to light have been printed on the websites of The Tracy Press (http://www.tracypress.com/), ABC News 10 (http://www.news10.net/), and Recordnet.com. Whatever the circumstances, however, it would be foolish to let this apparent crime drive us back into our homes, too scared to do anything about it.

Some residents spoke of possible gunshots in the early morning hours while most of us slept. Some have said they completed their early-morning routine around the park with no notice of Mr. Klent's body. If you know anything about this incident, I urge you to contact the police and help them with their investigation.

I spent the better part of Monday, September 10th, making fliers and signs and, with the help of Kevin Metzger and my trusty dog Ubu, distributing them to more than 250 homes on the streets that converge on Alden Park. (Photo by Enrique Gutierrez/Used with permission of The Tracy Press)

These notices announced a planning meeting for a Neighborhood Watch program for our community. I have also contacted the City of Tracy's Crime Prevention Unit and enlisted their help and expertise in this matter.

We will hold our first community meeting to establish our Neighborhood Watch this Thursday, September 13th, from 6:00pm 'til dusk, at Alden Park. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your concern and suggestions on how we can make our community a better place.

It's too bad that it takes a tragedy like this to bring people together, but together, we can make sure that Steven Klent's death didn't go unnoticed. And out of this tragedy, those who remain may be better for it.

This blog will be used to keep you informed of upcoming Neighborhood Watch meetings, community events, and tips you can use to keep you and your family safe.