COSTA MESA : Meeting Empowered Them, Residents Say

More than 300 residents of east Costa Mesa met Wednesday to discuss safety, gangs, schools and neighborhood appearance.

“The response was just terrific,” said Patty Baugh, the resident who organized the meeting at Kaiser Elementary School with the aim of preventing neighborhood decay. “It’s nice to know that people care.”

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Mac Bernd, crisis counselor Roy Alvarado and gang detail officers from the Costa Mesa Police Department spoke.

Representatives from 11 other agencies handed out literature on ways to improve the neighborhood, Baugh said.

Baugh called the meeting because she said she has become increasingly concerned about crime and safety in her neighborhood. An Albert Place homeowner for seven years, Baugh said she had recently felt threatened by apparent transients and homeless people.

Community Relations Officer Sue Crouse said police have not noticed an increase in crime in the east side, but she said vigilance will help keep the neighborhood safe.