ALBION: Taking it back

By Nicole Coleman/colemann@gnnewspaper.com

February 22, 2008 12:45 pm

— ALBION — Armed with the knowledge that there is power in numbers, the Albion Neighborhood Watch Committee is pushing for change.
Members dream of streets that are safe to walk, abandoned homes restored and crime stopped before it happens. Most of all, they seek a community that works together, neighbor helping neighbor.
“It’s the people’s group,” watch group founder and newly elected president Peggy Theodorakos said. “Everyone is concerned about their neighborhoods. It’s something we can all do together.”
Over the past year, a small committee has gradually grown to a group of 50-plus interested residents supported by the Albion Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and the Village Board. They started out taking baby steps — walking the albion streets where they live intermittently, handing out flyers and brainstorming with Albion Police Chief Dean London.
Eventually, they would like to be strong enough to include the entire village of 6,000, said Vice President Kevin Sheehan, also a village trustee.
Two police officers per shift can only do so much, London said. The department needs residents to lend their eyes and ears and report suspicious activity.
Already planning for the warm weather that comes with spring, the committee will be posting large signs that read “Join our Neighborhood Watch today!” and “Warning: Neighborhood Watch.” Garlock’s has volunteered to print postcards and Neighborhood Watch T-shirts, vests, hats and sweatshirts are in the works.
Theodorakos said the group will be acquiring flashlights, Polaroid film, cameras and walkie-talkies. She would also like to see homeowners post Neighborhood Watch signs in their front windows, visible from the road, and members actively speaking at local events and meetings.
The group should also try to raise money for hidden cameras downtown and along village streets, she said.
For now, the group is focusing on establishing phone trees in every neighborhood. Letters will be sent to area businesses notifying them about the committee as well.
“How many of you know your neighbors?” Theodorakos asked the 25 plus in attendance at Thursday evening’s meeting. “We have to know who our neighbors are.”
The ultimate goal is to establish individual groups responsible for a block or series of blocks, Sheehan said. They will patrol in groups of three or more on a set time schedule, possibly during the hours of midnight and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. To enhance their presence, local auxiliary organizations may become involved, he said.
To address the graffiti problem, Sheehan plans to spend a weekend with his sons covering it up with paint, he said. Businesses that have been defaced throughout the winter are expected to take care of the damage themselves, London said. Merchants will be reminded that it is illegal to sell spray cans to anyone younger than 18 years old.
To help the clean-up effort, Code Enforcement Officer Greg Martin encouraged residents to report homes with unstable porches or trash in their yards.
Bud Howe, president of the Neighborhood Watch in Mt. Morris, a committee now in its fourth year, said that group’s efforts have had huge rewards. Crime isn’t eliminated but a few criminals have been caught in the act — a teenager rolling joints, another robbing a house, another ripping off a van, he said.
The Mount Morris committee patrols the area on Halloween, keeps an eye on homes when families are on vacation and checks the doors of the Main Street businesses. They’ve driven teenagers home and lent a hand with security during village events. Their purpose is not to take the place of the police, but to give police a heads-up when a problem appears.
“Once you get out and walk, you’re really going to notice a lot,” Howe said. “You will get to know every drug dealer. You will get to know what drugs are out there.”
“This is a big undertaking, but if we work together, we can do this,” Theodorakos said. “We want this to spread as quickly as possible. We’re out there and we mean business.”
The Neighborhood Watch Committee meets every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph’s School. Deb Howes has been elected treasurer and Carol Sheehan has been elected secretary. Theodorakos and Sheehan were elected president and vice president on a nomination by Mike Bonafede. All board members will serve one-year terms.
Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.

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