Tracy Press

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written by Annie Snyder , July 19, 2008

I am happy to hear from someone who has the inside scoop! Thank you, Mary.
I wonder if Mary knows of these blogs. I hope she reads this and sees that people are grateful for her honesty and courage.
I knew there had to be something amiss when Mcleod said that his wife was being hastled by the neighbors after the original article.

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written by Gary , July 19, 2008

I'm absolutley stunned by this. Someone says they can fix the cities problems, but can't get any support from his own neighbors in his own neighborhood. Thank you Mary for the letter.

Isn't funny how criminals suddendly find religeon when cell doors slam in their face.

Good Luck MR. McCleod, maybe someone in Manteca will buy it.

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written by Dave Hardesty , July 19, 2008

"When chaplain Jay McLeod first entered our neighborhood, he tried to hold Neighborhood Watch meetings but failed."

So it's his fault for trying and failing? It seems to me the people who have failed were the people who should have formed an neighborhood watch and worked with PD against the high element of crime in the area.

But I don't live there or know all the circumstances. It just seems odd that someone would blame anyone else for trying to set up a neighborhood watch program to work out some of these issues and have it fail because the rest of the neighbors were not interested.

Dave Hardesty

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , July 19, 2008

Only neighbors in their own neighborhood should be involved in their own neighborhood watch meetings. Not an outsider from another neighborhood, even McLeod. Why was he trying to form a N W in your area Dave? Did he live near you? It doesn't make sense he would do that unless he did.

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written by Annie Snyder , July 19, 2008

mndc, Dave was quoting the letter writer in that first sentence.

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written by Dave Hardesty , July 19, 2008

Annie

Very true it was a quote. But years ago, when I did a lot of volunteer work for PD, I also supported the creation of neighborhood watch programs not only in my particular area but all over town.

Folks, neighborhood watch is a good thing. PD supports it and once you get off your couches and actually meet your neighbors it's not all that difficult of a thing to do. And once the bad guys figure out that a neighborhood isn't going to tolerate their activities, as they are all united together, the crime element of those particular neighborhoods drops dramatically.

But it does require you to put forth a little of your time and effort to make it all work. But most adults learn very quickly that anything worth having is going to require a little effort on their part. You simply cannot rely on others to do the work for you. That you have to do for yourself.

For any of you, if you and your neighbors are really interested in helping your neighborhood out, give Tracy PD a telephone call and they will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can.

Dave Hardesty

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written by fortheunderdog , July 19, 2008

Neighborhoods that do not want a Neighborhood Watch program can resort to getting to "know your neighbors". Also, know their vehicles. Anytime there is something amiss, call TPD and have them check it out. I guess, being recently retired, I have taken the liberty of knowing ALL the vehicles of neighbors on my street. If I see a suspicious vehicle during the day, when most are at work, I'll write the license down with a vehicle description if unattended. If it is occupied, I'll give TPD a call if I don't recognize it or the people inside. So get out and talk to your neighbors, they, and yourself are the first line of defense when it comes to neighborhood safety.

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written by maybenotdumBcommenT , July 19, 2008

Thanks Annie.