Maricopa Meadows residents aim to stop burglaries with block watch

Maricopa Meadows residents are planning to meet this Saturday in the community’s main park to discuss the formation of a block watch program.

The call to action by members of the community is a result of a recent string of six similar break-ins within and around the subdivision. In each incident, someone has bludgeoned a hole in an exterior wall to gain access to the home.

“It is a large concern and a shame people could take advantage of others like this,” said Christian Price, the homeowners association president for Maricopa Meadows.

However, sometimes good things come from negativity. “This meeting will give members of the community a chance to meet, come together and get to know one another,” Price said.

He added that at one time, there was a block watch in place in the community, but it has disintegrated due to a lack of interest, people moving out and the large number of foreclosures.

Maricopa police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Judd said the department is a big proponent of block watches. “We’re excited that they’re fired up there and ready to take their neighborhood back, so we’re ready to help them,” he said.

Some residents are already keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. On Thursday, community members called police to report that two teens were jumping over fences into backyards near Morning View Lane. Police arrested two juvenile males on suspicion of criminal trespassing and possession of marijuana. Witnesses said it appeared one of the suspects had a large item hidden under his clothes, but Judd said officers did not find any evidence of burglary or stolen property or any indication the suspects were connected to any other crime.

At the meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, those behind the reformation of the block watch are asking residents to come forward and give their ideas on how to make the community safer and state any interest in being a block watch captain or a watcher. Each captain will have others report to when they have concerns. “Because of the size of the community, it is best to have a captain on each block,” Price said.

Judd agreed that localizing the watch would make it more effective. “Really, the way block watches are most beneficial is when you watch your own block, not when you watch your community or subdivision,” he said.

The meeting in the park will be an informal get-together, however, members of the block watch will host an official meeting on Wednesday to take action on the information they gather.

It isn’t clear where or when that Wednesday meeting will be held yet, because members don’t know how many people are going to be interested in coming, Price said.

If you go

What: Informal Maricopa Meadows block watch meeting
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 7
Where: Main park, northeast corner of Honeycutt Avenue and Hogenes Boulevard

Photo by Michael K. Rich