New Neighborhood Watch Creating Togetherness

The neighborhood watch group formed in the Library Square section of Sherman Oaks was created to alert residents of any crimes occurring in the area, but it is also helping people to make new friends and get to know their neighbors.

"We had our first block party on Carmaggedon weekend and it was a huge success. Several hundred people showed up. Families who have lived in the Library Square area for years got to meet neighbors for the first time," said Emily Rose Newmark who is the neighborhood watch captain.

Library Square is the area immediately surrounding the Sherman Oaks Library at 14245 Moorpark Street.

The Library Square neighborhood is bounded on the west by Van Nuys Boulevard, then runs east to Hazeltine Avenue. The north side boundary is the 101 freeway, down to Moorpark on the south end.

"There are about 250 families living in the area covered by the new neighborhood watch and we've already got about half of them involved in the group," said Newmark who is a real estate agent with Keller Williams.

"We want to set up an alert system where people are notified by e-mail if there is a break-in or burglary, or some kind of event that people need to know about," added Newmark.

"We've had a burglary on Hortense Street and an attempted break in on Tyrone Avenue. People are very interested in knowing what's happening with this kind of thing."

The Los Angeles Police Department has been encouraging people to form neighborhood watch groups. Senior Lead Officer George Aguillar has met with the residents of Library Square and gave the group tips on setting up a neighborhood watch.

Next step is to get 13 signs that say 'Neighborhood Watch.' Signs and posts to put them on will cost about $2000.

"We raised about $300 at the block party, and we're hoping to get some funds from the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. We're planning to attend their meeting in September to ask for financial help in getting the signs up and posted," said Neighborhood Watch Captain Newmark.

The fatal attacks on cats two weeks ago on Collins Avenue-reported by Sherman Oaks Patch- was a reminder to residents of Library Square that coyotes are a danger. The neighborhood watch group plans to meet with their local animal control officer for tips on keeping their pets safe at a time when coyotes have become more active in the flats of Sherman Oaks.

"The neighborhood watch is already bringing people together and creating a cohesive feeling among people who live here," said Newmark.

"The block party was a lot of fun, and it helped get us going. People enjoyed it so much it's going to become an annual event," she said smiling.