STANTON

John Barker is the new kid on the block--so to speak. As the first deputy working in the 6-month-old Neighborhood Policing program in Stanton, Barker works exclusively in the Tina/Pacific Project area along Magnolia and Cerritos avenues. Tina/Pacific was selected by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for the pilot program because of its incidence of crime and gang activity.

The city recently reported an 85% drop in crime in Tina/Pacific and plans to expand the Neighborhood Policing program to other areas. Barker credits the decline to a more personable relationship with residents and businesses that allows him to resolve issues before they escalate.

“Usually . . . we get a call for service and will spend about 10 or 15 minutes with the subjects, but now I see them on a daily basis and I interact with them more,” said Barker, who has worked with the Stanton Police Department for five years. “We need to start bridging the gaps between law enforcement and the community.”