Community Gathers to be on the Watch

A room full of Grand Terrace residents gathered together at Azure Hills Church on Barton Road on Wednesday night, Feb. 4, to hold a Neighborhood Watch meeting. The meeting primarily focused on different ways the community and each resident could be instrumental in keeping one another informed and out of danger. To kick off the meeting, Grand Terrace’s Anthony Cortez, host of the meeting, spoke briefly about how the program will work, combining the efforts of all participating residents. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Officer Navarro and various residents chimed in with other specifics and concerns. The agenda of the meeting included forming a small but powerful core group, assigning block captains and foot patrol, and explaining the importance of text alerts and social media. Meeting attendee and retired San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Officer Bill Nessel, who worked in the Department for 23 years and has called Grand Terrace home for 17 years, said, “I attended because I like the concept and wanted to help publicize it. Very good turn out and information was well received. I think if everyone gets on the bandwagon and 'Talks the talk and walks the walk' this will be a very good thing for our city.” The primary goal for forming a Neighborhood Watch is to create and ensure a crime-free community for everyone in Grand Terrace; partnering with San Bernardino County Sheriffs and dedicated residents with a goal of preventing crime. According to Cortez, the meeting had a great turnout with a great group that he believes will make a difference in the community. "It was a fantastic turn out, I would say about thirty people showed up," Cortez said. Before implementing different strategies for the Neighborhood Watch, Cortez mentioned that he wanted to gather people to make sure everyone was on the same page. "Everyone was involved and committed... they liked and agreed with what I was saying," he added. Cortez shared that he will also be starting a Neighborhood Watch Facebook page strictly for Grand Terrace residents which will offer important and useful information to the community members such as classes and guest speakers he plans on bringing into the program. "We are going to be the eyes and ears for the Sheriffs," Cortez said.