Posted: Oct 10, 2009 3:14 AM
Updated: Oct 10, 2009 3:14 AM
The Midvale Park Neighborhood Association is concerned that residents fed up with crime may take matters into their own hands.
The association's president Christina Cruz says despite their efforts, crime is not decreasing.
"Residents are getting so scared now, in certain situations they're confronting people armed with a weapon. The last thing we need to see happen is have community members take anything into their own hands," says Cruz.
Cruz says neighbors are concerned a recent shift of police resources away from the area will bring more trouble.
Tucson's Chief of Police Roberto Villasenor says they still and will always patrol the Midvale Park area heavily, but current crime statistics show, more police are needed elsewhere, "It doesn't mean we've forgot Midvale or any other neighborhood. But we put the resources where the greatest need is at the time. Midvale by far is not the worst place."
Despite the crime concerns, Cruz and Chief Villasenor say maintaining good relations is the only way anything will get accomplished.
"Her concern is she doesn't want it to slip backwards to what it was like before," says Villasenor. "And I agree with her and we're going to keep a very close eye on Midvale because of that relationship we've developed."
Neighbor Susan Lamar says it's frustrating when crime hit's so close to home. "I could literally see the light from the guns going off outside my window."
Lamar says the answer is for residents and police to build on the foundation they've worked so hard to established, "Make sure we get a handle on things and be proactive so that it doesn't get out of control more than it already is."
Villasenor agrees, "Because when neighbors have that type of involvement it makes it a much better neighborhood, a much safer neighborhood and it makes our job easier."
T.P.D.'s most recent crime stats show aggravated assaults and auto theft are down in Midvale park...
But there were slight increases in disorderly conduct calls and juvenile violations.
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