Summer is nearly here, and by summer I am referring to the period of time that kids are out of school. With many old enough to stay at home unsupervised... kids get bored. Vandalism happens, although not all of the grafitti can be attributed to kids that are unsupervised. That part can be the problem with 20 somethings that are involved in gangs. That is just one of the many issues facing our community.

What is more alarming to me is the articles that appear in the local paper or word of mouth stories at the Safety and Security Committee meetings about people being held at gunpoint or purses being nabbed while members are out for a stroll. RIGHT HERE IN MONTCLAIR!!!!

Does it take something bad to happen to you before you get involved? Neighborhood watch has evolved from what used to come to my mind when someone would mention the neighborhood watch. I would envision pairs of people with walkie talkies, orange hats, orange vests, and 2 to 4 hour roaming shifts at all hours of the night starting at 6pm. If this is your same thoughts, let me tell you things have definitely changed. All that is required to be a member of your neighborhood watch program is for you to have the local non emergency police number handy. You can have it written on your telephone handset or have it programmed in to your cell phone. Maybe have it stuck to the refridgerator or your address book. Just have it readily available. That is step one. The next step is fairly simple. Just call the number when you see something suspicious happening. The police officers DO NOT MIND coming out and checking on a suspicous vehicle or person. They would rather interrogate someone and ask them to move along if they don't belong than coming to investigate a crime and fill out tons of paperwork. That is about it. Have the number ready. Call if you suspect something. PLEASE DON'T FEEL DUMB for calling in suspicious activity. With the recent incidents, I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

I hear complaints that the police officers are not seen that often in our neighborhoods. Guess what... if you are not calling to report things... there are other places that could be patrolled to keep other people safe. If the PWC police are being called for several incidents from the same area.. where do you believe the police chief would want his units to patrol?? What does this mean to us? We need to unite and make the calls. Just be aware of your surroundings. If you see drug related activity... start a log of license plates and try to get an idea of the description and direction the vehicles are leaving the neighborhood. Call the non emergency number... let them perform a traffic stop of that vehicle on its way out. They will get the picture sooner or later that their presence is not wanted in YOUR neighborhood.

I was on travel this week and it pained me not to be here for something that I strongly believe in, our neighborhood watch meeting. It sadened me even more to learn that we had a poor turn out. The neighborhood watch program works. There are national statistics to prove that point. All I ask is that you get involved. If you don't know where to start.. get in touch with me and I'll get you the contact information for the PWC coordinator.

This is not about "take our streets back". This is more about "get involved". With everyone making the calls... and getting more police activity in our area... I feel the bad elements will avoid Montclair once they know and understand a phone call will be made if they try it. Just be a little more aware of who is on your street and the expected activities. Once you join up with a neighborhood watch group, you will be able to review the call logs generated from your street and those around you. This will give you an idea of what kind of activity to phone in about.

For those folks in the Southlakes Cove area, we have a yahoo newsgroup, SouthLakesWatch.