Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1524224
SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | AUGUST 2024 15 By Clare Mendez, Resident As Camino Hidalgo residents, Daniel and I recently enjoyed the company of our neighbors under the guise of a Neighborhood Watch barbecue. Our block captain, Bill Norton, arranged a meeting to determine the date and time and everyone on our street was invited to come. It was potluck style as well as barbecued burgers and hot dogs. Chef John Schunn happily tended to the barbecue grill. Unfortunately, it was the hottest day of the year so far, but easy-ups provided shade and cold beverages were consumed. One of the benefits of a Neighborhood Watch program is increased vigilance and awareness among residents, which can discourage criminals from targeting the area. By keeping an eye out for suspicious activities and promptly reporting them to law enforcement, Neighborhood Watch programs contribute to overall community safety. This proactive approach can help prevent crimes before they occur. Knowing your neighbors' schedules, and the families and friends who frequently visit is an easy way to observe who should and should not be lurking around. There is better communication and trust among neighbors who take the time to get to know each other through regular gatherings, strengthening community bonds and solidarity. If your street does not have a captain, perhaps you can volunteer your time to plan a party on your street or at one of our community parks. To get started, recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible by printing up an invitation to contact you and distribute it door to door. Once you've gathered some names, home addresses, along with email addresses or phone numbers, you have a contact list to use as a starting point. There is no "worst-case scenario" here. It's always good to get to know your neighbors. Neighborhood Watch Barbecue