West Hempstead Launches Neighborhood Watch

First came the signs and now the people.

Terese Russo-Santoro, of West Hempstead, is finally seeing her plan to improve her community take off. Earlier this year, she launched a plan to start a Neighborhood Watch group for West Hempstead, after her teenage son was mugged twice within two months while walking not far from their home.

Through working with local officials, Russo-Santoro received all the information she needed to start the program and soon signs started popping up on local streets designating that the area was under the protection of Neighborhood Watch members, but she still needed the people.

Last week, Russo-Santoro was joined by fellow West Hempstead residents at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where they held the first meeting of the Neighorhood Watch and learned how they could get involved in putting her plan into action.  

"I grew up here and I know it’s a wonderful community," Russo-Santoro said. "That’s why some of the people I grew up with chose to stay and raise their children here. Our focus is to continue to build on the positive things about West Hempstead and reconnect with our neighbors in an effort to improve the community."

Most of the residents who attended the organization’s first meeting last Thursday have lived in the area for years and weathered a rise in crime in West Hempstead and Lakeview.

“Establishing a Neighborhood Watch program was timely after on Hempstead Avenue," said Judith Santiago. "For those of us who’ve lived here for years, we’re hoping this is the start of the revitalization of our neighborhood."

Many gave credit to Russo-Santoro for being the catalyst for their joining West Hempstead’s Neighborhood Watch program.

”I saw the flyers Terese sent out about the Neighborhood Watch program back in February and then she followed up with her posts about what’s going on in the community on Facebook,” said long-time resident Denise Johnson.

The Nassau County Fifth Precinct's Problem Oriented Policing Unit was invited to the group's first meeting. Police Officer Rita Bopp-Carol, who has more than 20 years of involvement with Neighborhood Watch programs, provided information on how the residents could helpmake their community safer and the best practices for organizing their program.

The POP Unit in the Town of Hempstead acts as a point of contact and liaison between the Neighborhood Watch coordinators and the police department.

“It’s important for people to know that Neighborhood Watch programs are not civilian patrol groups," said officer Bopp-Caroll. "The last thing the police department wants is for citizens to put themselves in harm’s way by attempting to stop a crime, but if you see something that seems suspicious, be a good neighbor and call the police."

Bopp-Carrol said people shouldn’t be hesitant to call 911.

"Dialing 911 in Nassau County, unlike New York City, isn’t for emergencies only and we count on you and your neighbors to be the eyes and ears of your community," he explained.

The officer offered up what she  called "simple, but effective" recommendations for the residents to make their homes and community safer. 

"Make sure that the outside of your home is well-lit. If possible, install motion detection lights. It helps to minimize shrubbery around your house to eliminate hiding places for would-be robbers," she said.

Vigilence is also key, according to Bopp-Carroll.

"Be aware of your surroundings," she said. "Would you notice if a strange car or cars were parked on your block, in front of your neighbor's house? Sometimes being a bit of a nosy neighbor can help prevent a crime.  And, a barking dog may occasionally seem like a nuisance, but man's best friend also is a good deterrent to anyone thinking of robbing a house."

The next steps for the members of the West Hempstead Neighborhood Watch program is to elect block captains, add more Neighborhood Watch signs throughout the community and increase community participation.

Whether they’ve lived in the West Hempstead community for 50 or five years, members of the Neighborhood Watch program, like Frank and Rose LaLuna are committed to their community.

“When we moved here 18 years ago, we were the young couple raising our kids.  Now, we’re watching the next generation raise theirs. This is a great community and we want to help maintain it.”