Neighbors watch out for each other
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

They've got it together! Homeowners in Upper Sunset Park banded together to fight crime in the neighborhood. Carroll County Sheriff's Department supported the effort by visiting and sharing national and local information. Pictured in front, from left to right, are Dorothy Rader, Sue Murray and Sandy Hathaway. Standing in back, l-r, are Maj. Tobe Leazenby, Sheriff Tony Burns, Carol Beecher, Norb Fisher, Sherill Crivello, Joe Crivello, Judy Good and Dan Good. Photo provided

Carroll County Sheriff Tony Burns and Maj. Tobe Leazenby spoke to an organization called the Upper Sunset Park Association Neighborhood Watch Program in the upper Lake Shore Dr. region Monday night.

"This is just another example of the department partnering with the community to provide quality public service," Leazenby said.

According to program materials, two of every three of the 2.1 million burglaries in 1999 were committed in houses, apartments or other residential buildings. The majority of the residential burglaries occurred during daylight hours. Approximately 64 percent required forcing a door or window to gain entry.

The group met in the home of Bob and Sandy Hathaway who have been involved with the local program for several years.

"There is no other active group in the county," Leazenby said. "But we want to change that. All it takes is for one resident to volunteer their home for a presentation to initiate a program."

Included in the national program packet is an inventory record for personal property identification. Items to be recorded are household and personal items, power tools, lawn equipment, autos, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, bicycles and credit cards. Leazenby stressed the need to file the inventory records in a safety deposit box or fireproof lockbox to ensure security of serial numbers.

"Crime is not going away," Leazenby said. "If a community can send a zero-tolerance message to the criminal element, it could keep the neighborhood safer."

Information about the program can be obtained by calling the Carroll County Sheriff Office at (765) 564-2413.