Published: July 04, 2009 08:48 pm      

Watch group wants to make city aware of crime

A local neighborhood watch group has kicked it up a notch and is now inviting the entire city to join its meeting.

“We are trying to get all of Orange aware of the problems with crime,” said Connie Jackson of the Roselawn Neighborhood Watch group. “We want everybody to know what’s going on in their neighborhood and to help combat crime.”

She feels by citizens being aware of the crime problems then they can work together to help fight the issues. She added if one neighborhood gets control of the situation, then criminals may move to another location. Therefore, unity is the key.

“We need to take control of the area now,” Jackson said. “We don’t want the same problems as they have in Port Arthur.”

Jackson has also invited county and city officials to attend the meeting as well to help resolve the issues. Some in attendance will be Mayors Roy McDonald and T.W. Permenter. Precinct 2 Judge Derry Dunn and Constable Rob Strause have said they will attend the meeting. In addition, Orange County Judge Carl Thibodeaux will make an appearance at the meeting, Jackson said.

The group organized in April, but since then the number of people interested in joining has grown. After only three meetings, the number of people attending has nearly tripled.

“We have also had a lot of response from other people in other neighborhoods as well,” Jackson said.

Jackson is hoping to help start watch groups at other locations as well.

During their second meeting, Roselawn addition residents began to take control of the situation by becoming informed and organized to combat the issues at hand. During their second meeting, street captains were chosen. Residents hope to send a message to the “trouble-makers” that the “free reign” will soon be coming to an end. As a result, residents patrol, keep records and report to their captains of any suspicious vehicles, people and activities in their neighborhood activity.

“I really think it is working,” Jackson said.

Although she added since the watch group began, “It (the problem) has gotten better, but has not gone away.”

She added she feels there is less criminal activity in the Roselawn Addition.

Officers with the Orange Police Department frequent the Roselawn area.

According to information provided by OPD, in the month of June, they answered 2,691 calls for service. Some of the more violent crimes included 3 sexual assaults, 49 assaults and 8 disorderly conducts. In addition there were other calls such as for 68 burglaries, 53 criminal mischiefs, 27 civil problems, 7 public intoxications, 23 reckless/dangerous driving calls and 67 thefts.

The meeting will be held at McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in the Burton Building located on the corner of South and Broad Streets in West Orange. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2603 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.



Number of calls in June in the Roselawn Addition, according to the Orange Police Department:

Assault -49

Burglary -68

Civil problem - 27

Criminal mischief - 53

Disorderly conduct - 28

Family violence - 6

Loud noise - 57

Driving while intoxicated - 3

Found property - 16

Fraud - 6

Harassment -18

Juvenile problem - 28

Public Intoxication - 7

Reckless/dangerous driving -23

Robbery - 2

Sexual assaults -3

Stolen vehicles - 5

Suspicious activity - 49

Suspicious person - 93

Suspicious vehicle - 53

Terroristic threat - 15

Theft - 67

Traffic accidents - 58

Trespassing - 7

Weapons offense - 7