HELP NEEDED TO FIGHT CRIME VOLUNTEERS KEY TO PALMDALE PLAN.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Palmdale officials are working on a crime-fighting plan aimed at neighborhoods that will have a heavy volunteer element, the city's top administrator said Wednesday.

City Manager Steve Williams said the plan will have eight pieces: youth engagement; establishing city-owned ``neighborhood houses''; greatly expanding Neighborhood Watch; starting a ``citizen academy;'' conducting family education and mediation; establishing neighborhood commissions; providing grants and loans to fix up homes; and encouraging volunteerism.

Speaking at a luncheon of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, Williams said the plan probably will be unveiled in about two months.

``You've got to deal with these issues at the neighborhood level,'' Williams said. ``You're the best person to know what is going on in your neighborhood.''

The idea came from strategic planning sessions held with City Council members shortly after Williams was elevated to the city manager's post in October and discussions with Sheriff's Department and district attorney's officials.

Since details of the plan are still being formed, Williams could only speak in broad terms about each element of the plan. Costs and additional staffing needed to implement the plan also remain to be fleshed out.

Alternatives for kids

In the area of youth engagement, Williams said the city wants to go beyond just providing sports programs as an alternative to crime. That could mean providing such things as counseling, mentoring programs, or vocational programs.

``We need to deal with kids at their level and determine what they need and direct them accordingly,'' Williams said.

Clearinghouses

The idea of neighborhood houses is an extension of an old idea. In the past, as the city focused on redeveloping particular areas, officials used a home as a base to provide neighbors with information on city programs available to them -- homes that would then be sold off as projects ended.

The idea now is to have such homes as permanent bases.

``How many do we need? We are studying that,'' Williams said.

Expanding Watch

The city also wants to expand its Neighborhood Watch program. There are about 200 Neighborhood Watch efforts in the city.

``What would our city be like if we had 1,000 of them?'' Williams said.

Learning about city

The idea of a citizen academy is to provide training about how city government works and what programs and resources are available to its residents. The academy could be used to help train volunteers working on various elements of the plan or just to better educate residents who want to learn more about the city.

The plan calls for creating neighborhood commissions composed of representatives of such interested parties as schools, churches, service organizations and law enforcement. The commissions could help get the word out about available programs and see what efforts need to be enacted to improve a neighborhood.

Grants and loans

The city is also looking to see what kinds of grants and loan programs could be made available to help residents spruce up their homes and neighborhoods.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said crime prevention efforts need a strong neighborhood level element.

``If it doesn't get to your home, your neighborhood, our efforts are wasted,'' Ledford said.

james.skeen@dailynews

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