Neighborhood Watch group to deter crime

One Lafayette neighborhood hopes to prevent crime by forming a watch group.

The Valley Center Neighborhood Association feels drug activity is on the rise.

Vice President Jodie Ellis said it's so bad, she can't even enjoy the comfort of her  home.

"I actually got in the car and drove to another neighborhood to walk my dogs because I just don't want to put up with it anymore. I'm sick of it," said Ellis, who lives on Center Street.

Ellis and John Lewandowski said they've had enough. Lewandowski serves as president of the Valley Center Neighborhood Association. He said a few months ago the once diverse and seemingly safe neighborhood went downhill.

"I've seen people kind of walking in the middle of the street, kind of stumbling around. It could be at all hours. It could be in the morning. It could be in the middle of the afternoon. It could be at nighttime. For kids and older people that live in this neighborhood, that's a little scary for them," said Lewandowski.

"I was just walking my dogs and apparently these people didn't like me going by there and they were going (waves with hand) and I was like wait a minute, who are you to tell me what to do?" said Ellis.

Ellis and Lewandowski believe the suspicious activity us drug related. So, the two homeowners want to add a new component to their association: a neighborhood watch group. Ellis feels it will empower the community to be more vigilant.

"We want to stop this now before this gets worse. From what I've learned from the prosecutor's office, drugs really are key. When you start having a lot of drug activity in your neighborhood, all these other crimes follow very closely. By addressing the drug problem here we hope to stall or put off the other crimes as well," Ellis said.

Lewandowski said there are about 400 homes in the neighborhood and 80 people active with the association. He hopes one day neighbors will feel confident reporting small problems and improve the beauty of the neighborhood.

"The meeting tonight is also to encourage people not only that we're going to start organizing a neighborhood watch program, but we also want to encourage our neighbors to use the We Tip line. It is totally anonymous," said Lewandowski.

Lewandowski said neighbors should call the We Tip line to report increased traffic at one home or impaired people on the block.

Valley Center Neighborhood Association will meet Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Rush Pavilion in Columbian Park.

The association covers blocks between 15th and Alabama Street and 15th and South Street in Lafayette.