Community
Members of “United One” stand in front of the first of many signs to be posted throughout Belfour Beatty Communities housing areas Feb. 18. From left (front row): Derrick C. Washington, Fort Bliss chief of police; Martha E. Williams, Crime Prevention officer; Stacey L. Gonzales, Neighborhood Watch co-captain; Cinda L. Sorenson, Neighborhood Watch captain; Carol A. Cook-Scobey and her daughters; and Lois B. Powell, Belfour Beatty Communities housing LifeWorks coordinator; From left (back row): Command Sgt. Maj. Felipe A. Paul, 5th Brigade (AETF) command sergeant major, Garrison Commander Col. Edward P. Manning; Master Sgt. Craig B. Muerer, HHC, 5th Bde. (AETF); Sgt. Maj. William S. Young, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Abendroth, 5th Bde. (AETF), 1st Armored Div.
PDN neighborhood takes a stand against crime
Natalie M. Hinojos
Special to The Monitor
Residents of the Paso del Norte housing community joined members of the Directorate of Emergency Services Feb. 18 to witness the placement of the first Neighborhood Watch Association sign in one of Fort Bliss’ communities.
The group known as “United One” decided to begin a Neighborhood Watch program within the Paso del Norte housing community, and is one of six newly established Neighbor-hood Watch associations at Fort Bliss.
In January, the DES, in partnership with Balfour Beatty Communities, began weekly town hall meetings with all of the Fort Bliss housing communities and presented the benefits to the residents of forming Neighborhood Watch associations within their individual neighborhoods.
The Neighborhood Watch Program began in 1972 and is recognized as the largest single organized crime - prevention program in the nation. Some of the many benefits of this program include creating a greater sense of security and reducing the fear of crime, building bonds with neighbors, helping residents look out for each other, and reducing the risk of becoming victims of crimes.
The first of many signs that are to be posted throughout the Belfour Beatty housing community Feb. 18. Photo by Natalie M. Hinojos, special to The Monitor.
“The goal of the DES Crime Prevention Program is to establish multiple Neighborhood Watch groups within the 15 housing communities located in and around Fort Bliss, thereby helping to identify community concerns, deter crime, and bring a sense of safety and security to our residents,” said Martha E. Williams, Crime Prevention officer.
Williams will be the point of contact for all neighborhood watch groups. The DES Crime Prevention Program has also established a Web site on the Official Home Page for Fort Bliss.
As of Feb. 24, there are a total of six Neighborhood Watch groups registered at Fort Bliss.
“If this is a way neighbors can watch out for each other, then why not do the neighborhood watch?” said Cinda L. Sorenson, Neighborhood Watch captain. “I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Establishment of these watch groups is another way the citizens of Fort Bliss and the DES can work as a team.
For more information about forming a Neighborhood Watch association in your community, contact Williams at 568-2651, or by e-mail via the Fort Bliss official home page.