GUNSHOTS HIT HOME IN NEWBURY PARK.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

Bullets pierced a home during a gang-related shooting late Tuesday night in a troubled Newbury Park neighborhood that sheriff's officials say has been on the mend.

Two brothers told Ventura County sheriff's detectives that several shots were fired at their home from a sedan driving past the condominium in the 600 block of Paseo La Perla about 11 p.m. There were no injuries and sheriff's detectives are seeking information on the shooting.

Two gang members, one juvenile and one adult, were arrested at a local motel following the shooting. One was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant and the other was arrested for possession of a loaded handgun. Sheriff's officials said they were investigating a possible link to the drive-by shooting.

Sheriff's Cmdr. Kathy Kemp, chief of the Thousand Oaks Police Department, said the drive-by shooting is a reminder that crime remains a problem in the 25-year-old neighborhood.

``It's not gone away completely, but we've had an improvement in that neighborhood,'' Kemp said.

``It's still one of our higher areas as far as levels of service,'' she noted. ``But, in relationship to the types of things that were occurring two years ago, it's not at that level.''

A resident at the home targeted in the shooting declined to comment Wednesday afternoon.

The neighborhood of 540 condominium units is located west of Hillcrest Drive and Ventu Park Road.

Problems over the years have included overcrowded condominiums, poorly maintained rental properties, loud parties, public drinking, thefts and vandalism.

Beginning in 1992, residents joined sheriff's officials and city leaders to improve the neighborhood and fight crime. The city has offered low-interest loans for first-time buyers to encourage home ownership. A Neighborhood Watch program was formed to bolster sheriff's patrols.

Bill Cerny purchased a condominium in the complex five years ago because ``it's neat and clean'' and he enjoyed living in the neighborhood during a period in the early 1970s.

The neighborhood's sagging reputation has bothered Cerny, and Tuesday's shooting only added to his concerns.

``The sheriff's get here pretty quick and they usually come in two cars. But they can't be there every time,'' he said.

Kemp said sheriff's patrols have concentrated on cracking down on gang activity.

``There's been some groups of kids hanging around that make residents uncomfortable,'' she said.

In another move to improve the neighborhood's fortunes, the homeowners association changed the name of the condominium neighborhood from Las Casitas to Conejo Creek.

Cerny said the name change helps, but that more home ownership ultimately is needed to turn the neighborhood around.

``The area has mostly families,'' he said. ``There's a lot of renters, but the percentage of owners coming back into the condominiums has increased. If you mention the name, people come over and say it's not bad.''

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the shooting. Crime Stoppers can be reached at (805) 494-TALK.

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Photo

Photo: A child points with his hockey stick to where a bull et from a drive-by shooting hit the home Tuesday night.

Tina Gerson/Daily News