W Outer Dr @ Hilltop

This area includes the following streets: W Outer Dr, Walpole Ln, Walnut Ln, Walsh Ln, Waltham Ln, Waltham Pl, Warrior Cir, Warrior Ln, and Warwick Ln.

 This neighborhood watch group really got off the ground when Robert Taylor met with Officer Newman at the National Night Out celebration on Aug 2, 2005 at the Children's Museum. Robert was interested in learning more about Neighborhood Watch and wondered if it could be effective in his community. Robert attended a meeting with the Burnham Woods group and got some information. From there, he began talking to his neighbors and set up a meeting.

The first meeting was held at Robert's house. Several neighbors and landlords from the area came to the meeting. Refreshments were served and problems that plagued the area were discussed. Several drug houses were identified. One, in particular, on Walsh Ln was heavily discussed.

Shortly thereafter, plans for a neighborhood clean up and block party were formed. The focus of the clean up was the corner of W Outer Dr and Walsh Ln, and some other residences on Walsh Ln. The objective was to "open and tidy" the area. The residents had learned previously that with "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design" crime can be reduced by taking away the opportunities for illegal activity to occur.

Everyone pitched in and helped out. The kids, along with an adult, armed with buckets and safety vests, began picking up trash along W Outer Dr. The adults began cutting brush, tree limbs, and anything else that was obstructing the view. During all the activities, the house we were focusing on began to have movement. The owner, who lived in one half of the house, came out and joined us. The other half of his residence was the "active end." As Officer Newman began to talk to the owner, he agreed to allow all the "extra hands" help him clean up his yard. In doing so, bushes and trees were cut back in front of the windows where the drug dealers used to hide and watch for their customers.

We had an outstanding cook out! Many brought covered dishes, grilled hamburgers, and had desserts. The community is getting closer with one another and have seen a decline in the drug activity. We still have some areas of concern to work on, but overall, the residents report the neighborhood is much nicer.