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Neighbors set up crime watch

Residents of the Clearwater-Largo Road area want to clean up their neighborhood.

By SHANNON TAN
Published March 9, 2005

LARGO - A prostitute who was jailed before Christmas is out walking Clearwater-Largo Road near 13th Avenue NW again. A few blocks away, drug deals go down in front of the Belleair Village Mobile Home Park.

For years, Clearwater-Largo residents have complained about such crime along the corridor.

But Monday night, they decided to do more than complain.

Janice Chase, who owns Grandma's Country Cottage, decided to try to start a neighborhood crime watch. She invited a Largo police sergeant to an impromptu meeting Monday night to get started.

"As a community, we've got to get involved," she told about 16 residents at Francesca's Grill.

Sgt. Mike Short spoke to the group. "I don't live in your community," he said. "You do. You know what's wrong two doors down."

There are half a dozen active neighborhood watch groups in Largo, he said. Residents have to elect a chairperson and ask for block captain volunteers. During 11/2 hours of Police Department training, members will learn about crime prevention and how to track sex offenders and felons on probation.

Then there will be a kickoff event, such as a bicycle registration, to get the rest of the community involved.

The chairperson will be the official liaison with the Police Department. Did you see squad cars out on your street last night? Call the chairperson. Police also can use the group to get information to residents if they're searching for suspects.

Guest speakers can talk on topics such as gangs and drugs during watch meetings. Residents can ride with an officer for four hours to observe police work.

But some residents are wary of getting involved, Chase said. They worried about retaliation if they call the police. Others have complained that the police weren't responsive.

To focus on fighting crime in the area, Chief Lester Aradi recently formed a six-member problem oriented policing team. Some residents say they already see results.

"I definitely see the neighborhood improving," said Christine Hughes. "I hope people get involved."

Hughes thinks a crime watch group would improve communication among residents and with the Police Department.

That, she says, would lead to a better, safer neighborhood.

Shannon Tan can be reached at shtan@sptimes.com or 445-4174.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:55:19]