Lakeside relies on citizens to keep streets safe

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Story Published: Oct 6, 2009 at 5:25 PM PDT

By Kristina Nelson, KCBY News

LAKESIDE, Ore. - With no police department or full time police force, the City of Lakeside is feeling the crunch when it comes to crime.

But a group of citizens are stepping up to help keep things safe in the city.

The Lakeside Citizens Patrol, which operates under the Lakeside Community Association, has been around for a number of years, made up of local residents who volunteer their time patrolling the streets looking for suspicious activity.

But now their role in the community is even more vital, after the city lost their one and only sheriff's deputy from the Coos County Sheriff's Department due to a lack of funding.

"We are a non-profit organization. We do enhanced neighborhood policing, we actually do it all ourselves. We just patrol the streets, we do house watches, people call us on a regular basis when they're going out of town," says Patrol Leader Stacy Dunn.

The Citizens Patrol, made up of 13 members, works directly with the Sheriff's Department to report crime in the area.

"We're in contact with them constantly, throughout our patrol shifts. If we see something suspicious, we actually radio in and let them know and they get somebody out here as soon as they possibly can. We don't get involved in any of the criminal activity, we just stand back and report it," says Dunn.

The patrol is looking for more members.

The only qualifications, you must be at least 18 years of age, a Lakeside resident and pass a criminal background check.

Call Dunn at (541) 759-2601 for more information.

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