Neighbors watching each other’s backs

The Logan community has established several methods of social control, some more formally structured than others. Residents also rely on the neighborhood association to voice their concerns. Meetings are held at the Chepa’s Park recreation center and at the La Chiquita market, and are scheduled in the evening to be accessible to working families. Police patrols cruise the neighborhood, supported by involved members of the community who report trouble, such as gangs and drugs in Chepa’s Park.

Logan residents have also established an informal community watch, whereby neighbors support each other by staying alert to the presence of outsiders and to potential criminal activity. When situations escalate, residents call on police for help.

The Logan community watch system is much less formal and structured than that of the Minnie Street neighborhood we visited the day before, likely because trouble is less frequent here. While the Minnie residents focus on sustaining close ties to their community’s police patrols, a key characteristic of the Logan Barrio is the passion with which its community representatives advocate for residents and engage with city officials. Another noticeable difference between the Logan and Minnie Street neighborhoods are the deliberate steps Minnie Street residents have taken to deter gang activity by controlling vehicle access to the community.

Whether formal or informal, the active participation of residents to establish and maintain a safe and secure environment is a common thread shared by both communities.