A Fresno neighborhood has had its troubles. But now police are giving
residents a new tool to fight crime.
It's a new neighborhood watch patrol group.
Police are training volunteers to be the eyes and ears of the community.
CBS47's Lemor Abrams is live at Fresno Police Headquarters.
It's not students, but parents gathered in this school cafeteria, learning
the ABC's of fighting crime.
And it's not longer after two murders in one week in this part of town.
"I Worked many years and when I retired, I didn't know that was happening in
my neighborhood," said Dolores Medina.
After seeing it all, from burglaries to shootings, Dolores Medina helped
launch a neighborhood watch patrol group in the area of Rowell Elementary.
"I think they want their neighborhoods cleaned up," said Dolores.
A few volunteer patrol officers will carry walkie-talkies and communicate
with each other, as well as police who can tune into the radio.
But the officer leading the group emphasizes, they are not to confront
anyone.
"It's just, observe, report, get the heck out of there...if something starts
happening," said Lindsay Hughes, Community Service Officer.
Monday, one of twenty neighborhood watch signs went up outside the gates of
Rowell Elementary.
"It's the taxpayers money, this is what they asked for and so this is what we
spent it on," said Councilman Clint Olivier, of District 7.
Clint Olivier, who represents the district, joined Police Chief Jerry Dyer to
hammer home the message.
It really means a lot to our city right now. Especially since we've lost 150
officers in the last five years...the more eyes and ears we have out there....
the safer our neighborhoods are going to be," said Chief Jerry Dyer.
Especially for those like Dolores, who at age 80, finds herself back in the
classroom...where knowledge is power.
"Oh yes, I am...I'm ready...I want to do something," said Dolores.