FONTANA - Ruben Rodriguez said Friday that his neighborhood has seen an increase in car thefts recently. He wants his neighbors to be as fed up as he is and to help do something about it.
"We want to put a stop to these things, to crime," he said of his wife and three children who moved to Fontana five years ago from Pomona.
Rodriguez, 46, signed up at Fontana's Cruise Night downtown to be involved in the Neighborhood Watch crime-prevention program.
Residents and business owners were encouraged Friday to sign up at the first major push for the program.
"With all the growth going on in this area, we need to let people coming into Fontana know we do have a strong police force here and that we want to protect our city," said Joan Geist, community relations representative for the Fontana Downtown Revitalization Task Force.
"With all the problems going on in San Bernardino and some of the other areas, we feel it's an important thing to do," said Geist, who helped spearhead the effort.
Residents see and hear about the violence in San Bernardino and hope it doesn't creep into their backyards.
That's why Geist and others are on a mission to stay even more vigilant.
"People are concerned. But the problem is that being concerned isn't enough. They have to take action," she said.
She wants to see a Neighborhood Watch sign on every block.
The signs can serve as a deterrent, said Amber Smith, community policing technician with the Police Department.
"It's good to have the nosy neighbors," she said.
Residents want to ensure their neighborhoods stay safe.
Freddie Fix has lived in Fontana for 45 years and looks out for suspicious people and cars.
"I'm always watching my neighborhood anyway," he said.
He said he's going to see if his neighbors want to participate in the program.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or crimes to police and then talk about it with neighbors.
But often residents don't get involved until something happens in their neighborhood, Smith said.
If residents participate, Smith said, "they get to know their neighbors and know what's happening."
Lately, more residents are asking about the program, she said.
"They want to keep their communities safe for themselves and for their children," she said.
After signing up, the next step is to try to encourage neighbors to get involved and start holding meetings where they can talk about crime statistics, trends and tips on how to stay safe.
To get involved in Neighborhood Watch, call (909) 350-7710
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