Thefts and break-ins - they're becoming frequent in one Northeast Bakersfield area.
Residents in that neighborhood came together to fight the rise in crime.
"People are getting desperate," said Karen Galyan, who explained why she thinks there has been an increase in thefts in her northeast neighborhood.
Recently, someone stole her travel trailer from her front yard.
"These people that drive around, they've already got the hitches on because this isn't something you could've just hitched right onto your truck. They have all this stuff. These people are smart," she said.
But she's not the only one who has fallen victim. Since January, there have been five reported thefts in a half-mile radius of her home.
To combat thieves and criminals, Galayan hosted her block's first Neighborhood Watch meeting.
Her neighbors, who live on Goldwood Avenue and Fairwood Street, came with questions and concerns.
The Bakersfield Police Department was on hand to talk about how neighborhood watch works.
"Train people how to be good witnesses and how to look out for one another," said Community Relations Supervisor, Cindy London.
Police said, if they see a crime, residents should get detailed descriptions of suspects and vehicles.
They should also keep valuables inside their homes, lock their windows and doors, keep good lighting outside and use discretion when using guns for protection.
"If you're not very comfortable with a gun, that gun can be taken away from you, used on you, and if you do use it on the person, it is considered a crime and you will be investigated," said London.
After the meeting, Galyan said she feels ready to take on the next criminal.
"They're one step ahead so we're going to be two steps ahead on the next one," she said.
To start a Neighborhood Watch program in your area, you can call BPD's Community Relations line for tips at (661) 326-3053.
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