PALMDALE – Palmdale city officials say one of the reasons why the crime rate in Palmdale has dropped more than 32 percent since 2008 is a continued commitment to community crime prevention reflected in the solid partnership between local law enforcement, City of Palmdale staff, and local residents.
“’Crime prevention’ is different from the philosophy of ‘crime control,’” said Palmdale’s Community Safety Supervisor Kelly Long. “Instead of the traditional approach, which emphasizes the reaction to crime and apprehension of the criminal, crime prevention emphasizes modifying the attitude and behavior of the resident through education, as well as the modification of the environment to eliminate the opportunity for crime.”
“Community crime prevention is residents joining together with law enforcement to be responsible for the safety of their neighborhoods, homes and places of employment,” Long explained. “This provides a unique opportunity for both police and residents to become involved in order to proactively reduce crime in our communities.”
One out of six Americans lives in a community that has an organized volunteer anti-crime program. One of the most popular and effective programs nationwide is Neighborhood Watch.
“In Palmdale there are over 400 individual Neighborhood Watch groups,” said Palmdale’s Crime Prevention Officer Ruth Oschmann. “With more than ten million participants nationwide, [Neighborhood Watch ] is the least costly and most effective community crime prevention program there is. When the Neighborhood Watch program has the commitment and involvement of residents, neighborhoods become a safer and more enjoyable place to be. Statistics tell us that [a] good neighbor is the best crime prevention tool around!”
Belonging to a Neighborhood Watch group does not require a lot of personal time. Many groups meet once a year simply to connect and get updates.
“Neighborhood Watch is the best and easiest way to learn about crime trends, disaster preparedness, home security and personal safety issues,” said Palmdale’s Crime Prevention Officer Kery German. “It also serves as a way to alert your neighbors to potential problems. Perhaps you or someone you know was a victim of a home burglary. Maybe you’ve seen signs of drug dealing or there has been a string of thefts from yards and vehicles. Or perhaps nothing has happened and you want to keep it that way. Either way, you can make a difference by getting together with neighbors who share your concerns.”
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Captain Don Ford is also a big believer in community crime prevention. “Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” Ford said. “But even more important is the opportunity Neighborhood Watch provides to get to know your neighbors as humans. Many of us are busy with our families and our jobs, but we often only wave at our neighbors. I encourage everyone to participate in Neighborhood Watch. Those neighbors you meet and talk to will be the ones that will call 911 when they see something amiss at your home, but they will also be the ones that will stop by and check on you when they miss that regular contact and that could save lives.”
According to feedback received by City staff, one barrier that has kept some individuals from starting or joining a Neighborhood Watch group is fear.
“Some have seen crime in their neighborhood and they are scared that the criminals will retaliate if they get involved in community crime prevention,” Long said. “That is certainly understandable, but there are ways to counter and overcome fear.”
Long notes three key elements that will eliminate fear and make any neighborhood safer and stronger.
“First, join together,” she said. “There is strength in numbers. By forming a Neighborhood Watch group with your neighbors, you create an environment where residents support each other and don’t feel isolated or alone in the midst of criminal activity.”
“Second, become educated on how to effectively report suspicious activity safely and anonymously. Neighborhood Watch is about being the eyes and ears of law enforcement, not the arm and legs. No one is ever encouraged to put themselves in any danger when witnessing crime or suspicious activity.”
“Third, you don’t have to meet where the problem is; you can meet several blocks away at a local church, community center or even at City Hall,” Long noted.
“In Palmdale, thousands of residents have become educated on crime prevention or have taken action to protect themselves, their families and their communities against crime by being a part of a Neighborhood Watch program,” German said. “You can join them by calling the city’s Neighborhood Services department at 661-267-5170 and talking to a Crime Prevention Officer today.”
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AV-all bad all the time says
They may not be stopping carjackers and the quality of life in the Antelope Valley is pathetic at best, but they’ll definitely make sure they have a (so-called) DUI checkpoint set up so they can nail you on the way home from granny’s BBQ.
dumbandblind says
If you go further back say 1970 what would the graph say?
rooney says
Where are they coming up with this lie? Buy yourself a police scanner and you’ll find out what’s not reported. There is so much crime in the A.V., that so many people are moving out. Then we have the criminals coming here. Can’t win if we try.!
Fred Slow says
Crime dropped in Palmdale ????? What a joke. Whose statistics are those, Daffy Duck?
Ledford, Parris, Dispenza, et.al. are responsible for ruining our beautiful valley. How can you keep re-electing them. Maybe we get what we deserve and what we voted for.
Sheriff is unable to protect us. Protect yourselves.
justplainlazy says
We have done “steps” 1,2, and 3.
BUT… Here in Lancaster the sheriff’s station just doesn’t care, you call and there’s always an excuse why they can’t get there for 3-4 hours, which by that time, all the damage is done. The ones causing the problems are long gone. They know…cops don’t show up in Lancaster for hours if at all!!!
Come on Mayor…Put your cop shop in check!!! Order them to put down the doughnuts and do their job!!
Nancy P says
Until Lancaster has it’s own Police Dept, things will never change.
Ditto says
We have also called numerous times to the Palmdale station to report illegal street racing on our street but they never show up. What good is it to do our part as citizens by reporting crime as we see it if law enforcement isn’t going to respond?
IhearU says
Too bad there’s no such thing as “Police Elections” up here where we could get rid of the Watch Commanders, etc., that are higher up in charge…Not doing the job, kick them out, get someone in that will do their job the way it should be and not afraid to “step” on toes.