Southeast Preachers Set Drug Patrol

A church alliance Tuesday announced the beginning of a Southeast San Diego “Preacher Patrol’ designed to regain neighborhood streets from drug dealers.

“We are taking the first steps of a community effort with the goal of regaining our streets,” said the Rev. Robert Ard, 49, a spokesman for Southeast Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

The patrol, which is expected to include at least 10 preachers, is scheduled to begin its walks along Pardee Street starting at 7 p.m. today, Ard said. The walk will be preceded by a neighborhood rally scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of 35th and Durant streets.

Ard said the patrol would end between 8 p.m. and midnight.

Although today’s activities are strictly a church-related affair, Ard said, he expects the patrol to grow and involve the entire community.

“We’re not trying to do the work of the police, nor are we taking the law into our own hands,” he said. “Our job is to notify the police about the illegal activities that are taking place here.”

Ard said the preachers will also be telling young people to stay off the streets in the evenings.

Police department spokesman Bill Robinson said the department is “appreciative of such citizen involvement.”