BUSINESS GOES ON THE WATCH.

Byline: CONNIE LLANOS  Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Valencia jewelry store owner Ali Rezaie is prepared for the worst but hoping for the best.

After being mugged twice in the past four years, the last time at gunpoint only two months ago, Rezaie is adamant about protecting his business, even if it means carrying a weapon.

``If a robber decides he's going to hit you, he will do it,'' Rezaie said. ``It's not about the money, it's about right and wrong.''

But a new program, Business Watch, will bring city officials, law enforcement and business owners together, and expects to keep Rezaie and Santa Clarita business owners like him a little safer.

``The premise is the same as our Neighborhood Watch,'' Sgt. Gregg Lewison said. ``We want businesses to introduce themselves to each other, and look out for each other's businesses.''

The end result, Lewison said, will be for businesses to build a bond with each other and the Sheriff's Department.

``We want the communication lines open, that's what we're here for.''

The program will kick off with two breakfast meetings next month at which business owners will have a chance to share their security issues and concerns with law enforcement officials.

Officials from the city and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce met recently with local Sheriff's Department leaders to plan the program.

``This is a multipronged approach where we will be hearing business owners' concerns, sharing information with them about safety issues and employing law enforcement,'' said Gail Ortiz, the city's spokeswoman.

Ortiz said the city is hoping the program will be used as a tool by business owners to train employees on security and theft issues and by law enforcement to remain informed on the security needs of Santa Clarita's business community.

``We want to do anything we can to help Santa Clarita businesses remain successful, and that means free of crime,'' Ortiz said.

The program was created after city officials saw an increase in calls from business owners wanting security information. This is the city's second attempt at promoting a Business Watch program after a similar program failed three years ago.

Riding on the tails of the successful Neighborhood Watch program, city officials hope to get a good response from a business community that has recently suffered an increase in crime that includes a string of bank robberies and liquor store holdups.

Rezaie, who has been in the jewelry business for 25 years and opened his local store seven years ago, said he'll participate -- and reluctantly arm himself.

``I don't want to shoot anyone,'' he said. ``I am a lover, not a fighter. That's why I sell engagement rings.''

The kickoff meetings for Business Watch will be held at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Santa Clarita Activities Center, 20850 Centre Pointe Parkway, Canyon Country, and Oct. 25 in the chamber office at 28460 Avenue Stanford, Suite 100.

connie.llanos(at)dailynews.com

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