Altadenans Cited for Fight Against Crime

An Altadena neighborhood group has won a state award for community organization against crime.

The California Stop Crime Coalition, whose members are appointed by the governor, selected the Royce Street Neighborhood Watch for a Governor’s Crime Prevention Award.

Sheriff’s Lt. John Samuel told the Altadena Town Council on Tuesday that the West Altadena street has come a long way.

“A year ago,” Samuel said, “Royce Street was ridden with crime and blatant drug dealing. It was called the worst street in the county.” Today, he said, because of combined resident and department cleanup efforts, it’s one of the best.

The award will be presented to the Royce Street group at a banquet Sept. 21 in San Jose.

The coalition will pass out Governor’s Crime Prevention Awards in seven categories. In addition to the Royce Street group--which won the top award in the community organization category--several other Los Angeles County cities and individuals will be honored.

The city of Lakewood will receive a Vehicle Theft Prevention award; Los Angeles Police Sgt. George Gascon will get a Law Enforcement Practitioner Award, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will take honors in the Alcohol and Drug Prevention category for its program entitled “Drugs, Pregnancy and You.”