Taking our First Step

You couldn't miss it. The interest in starting a Neighborhood Watch program for the community around Alden Park was amazing.

Over 150 residents, neighbors, and friends came out last night to "take back our park" and to get to know one another. More than 100 signed in on clipboards, providing us with the initial information necessary to begin our fight for a safer place to live.

"Our police department is going to be on this," said Tracy Mayor Brent Ives, addressing the crowd with Irene Rose of the Crime Prevention Unit, and two of Tracy's policemen. "I've asked the Chief today to put extra patrols around this area for the near term to make us feel better about things."

Nearby resident Tom Collins, security consultant for Protection One alarm services, also acknowledged the importance of everyone in the crowd. "Look around you," he said. "Get to know each other. Your neighbors should be your first contact in the event of a problem in your community."

Sequoia Blvd. residents Shelly and Jason Brown stepped up to help distribute the "Family Data Sheet," so that the police department and Neighborhood Watch volunteers could have a record of who lived in which house, and other important information about each of our neighbors so we can better look out for one another.

Some took the time to complete and turn in the forms as the evening went on. Others took them home to fill out later. Completed forms can be brought to our next meeting (Tuesday, October 2nd, at 6:30pm in Alden Park), or you can drop them in the mailbox at Neighborhood Watch chairman Jeff Gamble's house at 732 Sequoia Blvd. If you still need a "Family Data Form" for your household, please send an email with your name and address to WatchAldenPark@aol.com.

A number of neighbors volunteered to serve as Block Captains for our program. The job of the Block Captain is to help coordinate future events for our neighborhood and to serve as the communications link to all of the Alden Park residents on their street. The names and phone numbers of our Block Captains will be listed in a separate post.

Meanwhile, we're getting ready for our next set of actions. Our next meeting will be led by Irene Rose and will be held in the park on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 6:30pm. Other residents expressed interest in future neighborhood events like Block Parties and a Community Garage Sale at the park. Check back here and watch for signs and fliers announcing the details.

Also, be sure to check out our latest online poll and register your opinion. We'll start prioritizing the things you want to see improved in our community, and together, we can make them happen.

Finally, here are a few more pictures of your friends and neighbors who helped make our first Neighborhood Watch meeting a great success. Thank you all for your concern and your dedication to a safe community for all of us.