High Desert Residents Invited to Attend Neighborhood Watch Information Meeting

VICTORVILLE – High Desert residents have noticed the increase in crime, many even falling victim to a theft or even violence. It is often heard that residents want to “take back” their community from the criminals that have ravaged through it. Although many long for a solution, the solutions are not always easy to plan out.

That is why on August 24, 2016, the Victorville Police will hold two, one-hour-long sessions, one at 3:00 p.m. and another at 6:00 p.m. These Victorville City Hall meeting will offer attendees information and the resources needed to start and maintain a Neighborhood Watch Program. The city hall is located at 14343 Civic Drive in the City of Victorville.

“People can learn steps to feel more secure—to BE more safe and secure—if they attend upcoming training sponsored by the High Desert Association of Realtors in cooperation with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department,” said Smith.

The lack of enough court and detention facility resources, along with recent law changes have put criminals back on the streets to reoffend. The High Desert Association of Realtors (HDAOR) recognizes the problem and the factors that have and continue to enable the criminals.

“Criminals are being held accountable for their actions less and less, so law-abiding citizens need to take steps to be more secure,” said Diane Smith, Executive Officer at the High Desert Association of Realtors. The HDAOR adopted an initiative in January 2015 to work with local Crime Prevention Officers to encourage residents to take steps to reduce their risks of becoming a crime victim.

Proposition 47, passed in November 2014, reduced penalties for some non-serious, non-sexual and non-violent crimes including simple drug possession and petty theft, from low-level felonies to misdemeanors. Repeat offenders go on offending knowing there are few consequences. It creates a dilemma for law enforcement who has to decide whether to cite suspects or spend a few hours booking them when these people are likely going to be released right away and do the same thing again.

Proposition 57 on the November ballot would allow for early paroles for legally defined nonviolent prisoners in exchange for certain achievements and good behavior.

Assembly Bill 109, signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2011 to enable California to close the revolving door of low-level inmates cycling in and out of state prisons. "For too long, the state’s prison system has been a revolving door for lower-level offenders and parole violators who are released within months—often before they are even transferred out of a reception center. Cycling these offenders through state prisons wastes money, aggravates crowded conditions, thwarts rehabilitation, and impedes local law enforcement supervision." –Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., Governor’s Press Release, April 5, 2011.

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