LAWTON Okla_ Residents of Lawton's Sanders Heights
Apartments are back in the news. This time, though, it's because things are far
more peaceful than they used to be.
The complex was
the backdrop for several recent robberies, shootings and the brutal murder of Tanya
Zachary last October. Residents have banded together to work with police, and
it's paid off.
Residents say
the recent prayer walks and community watch meetings are working.
People are
starting to let go of their fear of working with police. They say they're more
committed to working as a team to get rid of the criminal element there and
create a safe environment for their families.
As residents of
Sanders Heights Apartments mingled with Lawton Police Department's Gang Unit
Thursday, a feeling of solidarity was in the air. Police said it's a testament
to the changes residents are making in their community.
"I think
its real quiet now," Sanders
Heights resident Gloria
Garcia said, "Compared to what it used to be. It used to be a lot of ruckus,
gang members and a bunch of people hanging out and acting foolish. Now, I feel
safe to be here and let my kids go out and play without me."
"I'd have
to say there was a lot of negative activity here," resident Janessa Carrion
said. "When they started the community march here, I think it was really good
for the community to come out here, open up and lift everybody's spirits out
here."
LPD Gang Unit's
Lieutenant Darrell Southerland said a strong relationship between residents and
police is vital to stopping crime.
"The
community has really come together and started really trusting the officers,"
Southerland said. "They're apt to come forward to officers when something
happens. We're getting calls and being flagged down, especially the gang unit.
The community has enjoyed us being out here, being on foot."
Residents and
police said they hope that continues, especially for the complex's youngest residents.
"It's
gotten a lot better," resident Karissa Melrose said. "I didn't let my kids go
outside for almost a year, because, every time people do drive-bys out here,
they don't care about your kids. They'll hit one of your kids or jump on one of
your kids."
The manager of Sanders Heights has been a big part of this push
to make the complex safer. She said it's become much easier to get rid of
strangers loitering around the complex, which has been a big problem in the
past. She said residents let her know when things are happening, and she calls
the police.
A more peaceful
atmosphere is not the only change at Sanders
Heights. Local Pastor Michael
Cross is part of a group that will start offering life skills courses at the
complex's clubhouse. The courses will expose residents to social networking,
continued education and exposure to new environments.
"It will give
them a different aspect of their own environment," Cross said. "It will help
them feel better about themselves. Once a person feels better about themselves,
they'll feel better about their community, where they stay and where they live."
Pastor Cross said the group got the idea from a program at a similar
project in California.
