COMPLEX TO TAKE WATCH NEIGHBORS URGED TO HELP POLICE DETER CRIME.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

NEWBURY PARK - Following a recent fatal gang shooting at the Conejo Creek Condominium complex, police want residents to consider forming a Neighborhood Watch program for help.

Police will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Saturday to organize residents to become the eyes and ears for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

``The department has attempted to get the people involved in Neighborhood Watch several times over the last eight years without any great success,'' said Senior Deputy Ed Tumbleson. ``I'm going to remain hopeful because I truly believe if we are going to make that community a better community they've got to be involved.''

Authorities said gang members from Van Nuys drove to the modest neighborhood off Hillcrest Drive on April 28 and fatally shot Edgar Cruz, 19, and wounded Andres Morales, 18. Although police said the shooting was part of an ongoing feud between Thousand Oaks and Van Nuys gangs, Cruz and Morales were not gang members.

Two days later, police said Van Nuys gang members opened fire in the parking lot of a fast-food eatery just outside the neighborhood. No one was injured in that incident. One of the victims was a Thousand Oaks gang member.

Tumbleson said previous attempts to institute the program failed at the 540-unit complex - the most diverse neighborhood in the city - most likely due to cultural issues from the largely Latino and immigrant residents.

``They don't trust government,'' said Tumbleson, who was stationed in Conejo Creek for six months in a police outreach program. ``All of these things probably play somewhat in their (reluctance), which makes it very difficult for us.''

But at a community meeting in the days following the shooting, when police asked whether there would be interest in forming such a program, a number of hands shot up from residents gathered.

Under the program, participants are taught to know their neighbors, be aware of what is going on in the neighborhood and to call the police if they spot anything suspicious, Tumbleson said.

Tumbleson said programs started in neighborhoods where there have been problems will see calls for police service increase by 10 percent to 15 percent, then a drop after six months when criminals realize they are being watched.

Police said the program could start off small, and then add participants.

``Neighborhood Watch was formed back in the 1960s to deal with residential burglary,'' Tumbleson said. ``And most Neighborhood Watches I've helped create over the last 10 years were very successful in reducing crime in a neighborhood.''

Conejo Creek ranked seventh in the total number of calls for police service and has the eighth-highest crime rate of the area's 109 districts, according to police.

``We need people to be our eyes and ears,'' said Tumbleson. ``Even if we put an officer in Conejo Creek full time he can't be there everywhere.''

MEETING

A Neighborhood Watch organizational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Conejo Creek Condominium homeowners association office, 1707 Calle Diamonte, Newbury Park.

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Box: (ran in Conejo edition only) Meeting (see text)