Lompoc residents coming together to tackle criminal activity

Lompoc residents say they want to start a neighborhood watch group.

“To take a stand and report every and anything that we know, that we see,” says Scott Lewis, a Lompoc resident.

Lewis says he wants his neighbors to take a stand after he says there have been unfamiliar people circling the neighborhood and coming in and out of the riverbed that boarders the area.

“It ranges from people that are casing the neighborhood, to drug deals, breaking into houses and breaking into cars,” he says.

The break-ins have caused residents to be concerned.

Lewis says he wants his neighbors to become more involved and help with creating a neighborhood watch group.

“It comes down to us and what we need to do together,” says Lewis.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department patrols the riverbed along Riverside Drive.

They say when residents see anything suspicious they should call them and the Lompoc Police Department.

Lewis’ wife, Jaime, shares the same concerns he does.

“I think we need to create awareness so everyone can come together and communicate so everyone knows what their part in the neighborhood is,” says Jaime Lewis.

They hope by starting this neighborhood watch group it will cut down on the amount of crime they say people are doing in the area.

“Every night I am out on the front porch watching the neighborhood from the time I get home to the time I go to bed,” says Scott Lewis.

Next Wednesday, on September 21, at the Lompoc Valley Medical Center, there is an event with local leaders and law enforcement to talk about neighborhood watch groups and how residents can look out for one another.