PATROLLING THEIR OWN STREETS RESIDENTS ENLIST TO COMBAT TRASH IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

Byline: Ryan Oliver Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - Betty Green has seen more than her share of grimy furniture dumped in alleys and vacant lots in her neighborhood - blight that she will no longer tolerate.

Standing in one of the many alleys running through the west San Fernando Valley, the 55-year-old schoolteacher points her disposable camera at a dumped blue-striped mattress. Nearby is a yard sale's worth of other abandoned junk.

``Mattresses are a big thing here, I don't understand it,'' Green says. ``I just want to know how these people can throw out so much furniture, where are they getting it from?''

Green is one of about 100 volunteers in the city's 3rd District vowing to have the streets cleaned of junk, illegal signs, abandoned cars, potholes and graffiti. They have come together under an initiative launched by the district's councilman, Dennis Zine, that he calls his POSSE, or People Organizing Safe Environments.

Zine created the POSSE as a way for citizens to identify quality-of-life issues affecting his district. Once discovered, problems such as potholes and graffiti can often be fixed quickly.

``What I'm trying to do is take government to a grass-roots effort,'' Zine said. ``If you want your community to look nice, be nice, be safe, we're going to give you the tools to do that.''

Green's neighbor and fellow POSSE member Marilyn Robinson, who occasionally patrols with Green, is disgusted at the illegal dump site.

``This is just terrible,'' Robinson says. ``I bet after dark you would hear the scurrying of little rats.''

Green often returns to the sites to take more pictures, which she can contrast with those taken before the cleanup. They are reminders of what a little bit of initiative can accomplish.

The POSSE was formed last year during an initial training class at Zine's field office. Officials from several city departments told residents what problems to look for, then provided a list of government phone numbers to call to make reports.

``Now they're aware of the negatives in their community and how to correct them,'' Zine said. ``Everyone talks about empowering people; this actually puts that into action.''

Zine ultimately wants to see 500 residents in the POSSE, a number he feels would be large enough to put a dent in the local urban blight.

At the most recent training class held earlier this month, about 15 residents showed up to add their names to the effort.

``I'd like to cut down on some of the graffiti in my neighborhood,'' said West Hills retiree Bob Lauer when asked why he wanted to join. ``We'd like to beautify the neighborhood.''

Beth Nelson, 46, of Tarzana, who enlisted with her daughter, said she expects city departments will be particularly responsive to POSSE complaints because of its direct affiliation with Zine.

``I think this will put everything one jump ahead from what I was getting from the city,'' Nelson said. ``It's just a shame the percentage of the population out there, though, that's totally unaware of the services the city provides already.''

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Above, Betty Green, in foreground, and Marilyn Robinson revisit a site that once was filled with trash and dumped furniture. At left, Robinson and Green find another mess on Fullbright and Sherman Way in Canoga Park. The women are among about 100 volunteers to join Councilman Dennis Zine's POSSE, or People Organizing Safe Environments

David Sprague/Staff Photographer