ANAHEIM : Anti-Crime Drive Gets Under Way

Anaheim residents began the city’s Crime Prevention Campaign last weekend, and neighborhoods are participating in related community events in the next few weeks.

The events will build to National Night Out on Aug. 6 in which residents throughout the nation will turn on their porch lights in a symbolic protest against crime.

“It’s crime prevention, where everyone turns on the lights to scare crime away,” said Darlene Plaza, a community services representative at the Anaheim Police Department.

This is the fourth year Anaheim has participated in the national program, and the city began its participation with an informational party at Pearson Park on Sunday.

The program teaches residents about community resources in fighting crime and encourages residents to participate in local anti-crime groups. Additionally, it coordinates neighborhood groups with police and helps organize residents interested in becoming involved in the effort.

“We realize that when we work together as a team, we can accomplish a lot of things,” said Shari Albrecht, a community services representative for the department.

Albrecht said the Neighborhood Watch group she works with, near Euclid Avenue and Ball Road, is planning a circus-style block party next week and has raised money from the community for a barbecue, games and prizes.

Anti-crime block parties will be happening throughout the city this week until Aug. 6.