NEIGHBORS FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE WATCH PROGRAMS HELP SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- If you get the feeling somebody's watching you, you might be right.

Fortunately for most people, it's just the watchful eyes of their neighbors, intent on keeping criminals at bay and helping to stretch law enforcement resources.

``People have realized we're not the be-all and end-all solution to crime,'' said Lt. Mike Dunkle, acting commander of the Sheriff's Department's Santa Clarita station, about the national Neighborhood Watch program. There are 100 groups in the program throughout the station's patrol area. ``We need their eyes and ears, too.''

Because of a renewed demand for Neighborhood Watch groups in Santa Clarita, the Sheriff's Department will hold a training seminar from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex at 20970 Centre Pointe Parkway.

Topics on the agenda include watch group revitalization, disaster preparedness, identity theft and Internet safety for children.

Neighborhood Watch, which began in 1972 and quickly spread across the country, is coordinated in Santa Clarita by Deputy Gerri McCorkle. She said the program grows in popularity when people perceive there is a problem in the area, then wanes when things get quiet again.

Josy Block has been the watch captain for Valencia Hills for 13 years. She oversees 23 block captains who represent residents of 462 homes.

``With e-mail, it's such a good way to get information out right away,'' Block said, remembering early Neighborhood Watch days when a recorded message was left when nobody answered the phone.

``You never knew if someone got the message or if they called their people. Now, if someone sees something suspicious, I put the description out in an e-mail right away, and we've had a lot of success.''

Block's group even started flashlight walks to combat loitering on the paseos and near common areas.

``We were having a problem with some teenagers hanging out into the wee hours of the night,'' she said. ``We started meeting on Friday and Saturday nights. Everyone brings flashlights, some bring their dogs, and we walk the paseos.''

Block said the walks have also helped curtail drug activity in the area.

``The sheriff does an amazing job keeping everyone informed and letting us know what to do when we have a problem,'' she said.

``The program is one of the best things we can do to preserve our neighborhoods. Most people moved up here to get away from the San Fernando Valley, something we don't have out here yet.''

Kim White, who has been the block captain for the Hasley Hills neighborhood for a year, sees her involvement as a way of giving back to her community.

``Both my parents were in law enforcement,'' she said. ``I have two small children and want to do my part. I think it's important that everybody watch out for each other.''

White coordinates the efforts of 20 block captains who oversee their individual streets. She sends regular e-mails with news tips and suggestions for activities to bring neighbors together.

``It's not always about who escaped from jail,'' she said. ``We tell people not to be shy, to get to know each other and to do things together.''

She uses e-mail to speed communication and help her neighbors make fighting crime a priority. White proudly points to an April drug raid on Berkshire Drive where more than 500 marijuana plants were confiscated after neighbors reported suspicious activities.

To sign up for Saturday's meeting, call McCorkle at [phone].

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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