LIVE-IN DEPUTIES PROPOSED TO CUT CRIME IN CONDOS : CITY WOULD OFFER LOW-INTEREST LOANS.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Hoping to cut crime in the Conejo Creek condominium complex, the city has proposed offering sheriff's deputies low-cost loans to purchase homes in the trouble-plagued neighborhood.

Under the proposal, sworn Ventura County sheriff's deputies would be offered the loans through the city's Ownership Assistance Program for low- to moderate-income, first-time home buyers.

Having officers move in would give the neighborhood ``additional eyes and ears'' that would discourage crime in the area, said Olav Hassel, housing services manager for the city.

``The concept is that their mere presence would add additional security for residents in Conejo Creek,'' Hassel said. ``Also, those officers would know (whom) to contact and, knowing the laws and ordinances of the city, would also have a good idea what level of behavior is correct and what is incorrect.''

The proposal, in response to a request from the Conejo Creek Homeowners Association, will be discussed by the City Council at tonight's meeting.

Cmdr. Kathy Kemp, head of the sheriff's Thousand Oaks Police Department, said the Conejo Creek complex's crime problems stem primarily from loitering, domestic disturbances and occasional fights.

``We have a lot more calls of disturbances in that particular area,'' Kemp said. ``We have a lot closer living area. We probably have more reports of what appear to be either groups of kids gathering or people drinking back in the parking area.''

Just having an officer living in the neighborhood could make a small but noticeable difference in reducing crime and boosting residents' sense of safety, according to Kemp.

``I don't think they're going to be the neighborhood security force, but I do believe there are going to be officers who will get involved with their neighborhood,'' Kemp said.

Under the plan proposed for Thousand Oaks, sworn deputies - many of whom are young and first-time home buyers - would be provided second trust deeds of up to $20,000 that would be fully forgiven if the deputy lived in the Conejo Creek unit for 20 years, according to a city report. The money could be used for a down payment on a home in the neighborhood, which the city says would sell for $70,000 to $80,000.

Deputies would be required to pay a pro-rated share of the loan if they leave before 20 years' time - for example, a deputy who moves out in five years would pay $15,000, or 75 percent, of the second trust deed, according to the report.

Kemp said that similar loan programs are fairly common on the East Coast, particularly in older neighborhoods. The proposed program is similar to one operating in Oxnard since April.

The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in the Forum Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.