Sanford Herald Blog

Although a great article to read I would like to point out that Marie and Charlie Hann were the catalyst behind getting the park cleaned out. That was an unfortunate misquote. I sincerely hope that there are no hard or ill feelings as I would never take credit for something that did not belong to me.

Sincerely,
Angela Jones

Sanford Herald Article

By GORDON ANDERSON anderson@sanfordherald.com SANFORD — When Angela Jones moved to the Wood­bridge community of Sanford off Lee Avenue two years ago, she wanted to get to know her neighbors.It took a little while, but these days, Jones knows just about everyone on her street.And in the streets surround­ing hers. In fact, with the help of the Sanford Police Depart­ment, the Woodbridge com­munity is what some members of the department point to as a great example of how a neighborhood watch program can work to the benefi t of residents.“We just wanted to become active participants in our community,” Jones said of the impetus to get a neighborhood watch started.Jones, a Sanford public works employee, said she wasn’t behind the initial im­pulse to get the community organized — she gives credit for that to her neighbor Marie Hann — but she has been involved since the start. She said that while her community missed out on the opportunity to participate in the 2007 Na­tional Night Out — a govern­ment- backed program that encourages people to meet and interact with their neighbors — the event got her thinking about what improvements she could make close to home.Her vision quickly focused on a little-used, little-known park that sits in the middle of the neighborhood. Just a few months ago, the park was overgrown and filled with evidence of drug use and “sexually explicit material.”“I just asked some of the neighbors if they’d be interested in helping me get the park cleaned up,” Jones said.That little bit of com­munity involvement led to the neighbors contacting Officer Mar­shall Cameron of the Sanford Police Depart­ment. Cameron works with the department’s community policing program and helps neighborhoods like Woodbridge organize neighborhood watches.“A neighborhood watch really helps us,” Cameron said. “Because we can’t be everywhere all the time. But if you know your neighbors and who is and isn’t supposed to be in your area, you’re going to be more likely to have your eyes open about what is going on around you.”Both Jones and Cameron said the Woodbridge neighbor­hood, due to its mostly working-class status and mix of white, black and Hispanic residents, is a perfect place to get a neighborhood watch started. Cameron, in fact, points proudly to the bilingual neighbor­hood watch sign that the city had placed in the neighborhood as evidence. “If someone is from the criminal element, whether they speak English or Spanish, that sign might make them think twice about com­ing into this neighbor­hood,” he said. “It’s a deterrent.” Jones said that while not every one of her neighbors has become involved in the com­munity watch program, “many have.” “To some degree, there’s participation from most of the people here,” she said. “The children, especially, are receptive and aren’t as afraid to speak out.”She said she also feels more aware, and thus more safe. “I think everyone is more aware of what’s going on around us,” she said. “Being aware and knowing your neighbors, you do feel safer.”Sanford residents interested in starting a neighborhood watch of their own are asked to contact Cameron at 775-8268.
BROOKE WOLFE/ The Sanford Herald Woodbridge neighborhood resident Angela Jones talks with Officer Marshall Cameron Wednesday after­noon in front of her home in Sanford. Jones is part of a community watch program in the neighborhood.

Woodbridge Pointe Neighborhood Watch

Greetings Neighbors

A neighborhood watch meeting has been scheduled for the 10th of June. The meeting will take place at 4913 North Pointe from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Topics for the meeting will include officer elections, calendar of events, and National Night Out.

Weather permitting, the meeting will be held outside so please bring a lawn chair if you feel more comfortable sitting.