Los Alamitos Residents Band Together for Emergency Preparedness

Special to Patch

Residents of Rossmoor Highlands in Los Alamitos are all a buzz with the success of the recently instituted Neighbor 4 Neighbor (N4N) program. More than 200 neighbors have participated in organizational meetings and the three “Meet and Greets” where they got to know others living nearby.

“Banding together as neighbors and increasing awareness to preserve the safety of our neighborhoods as well as providing opportunities to pool talents and resources to better our chances of withstanding and recovering from disasters, whether they be large-scale natural events or smaller personal setbacks,” outlines the stated N4N goals.

“We are excited to see so many people embracing the idea of looking out for each other to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in the Highlands,” said Pattie Laird. Laird spearheaded the effort of pulling neighbors together by recruiting participants and providing a solid platform for their efforts.

At the event Detective Corporal Rick Moore of the Los Alamitos Police Department emphasized the importance of neighbors being vigilant and when they see or hear something out of place not to ignore it. Many people say they don’t want to bother the police, but Moore was convincing in explaining that officers appreciate the help.

“That’s what we do, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said.

In Los Alamitos, residents can call the police department’s non-emergency line 562-594-7232 to report suspicious activity, said Police Chief Todd Mattern

Neighbor 4 Neighbor is an easy to follow system of volunteer block captains providing leadership for those living near them and learning about the talents others are willing to share as well as those who may need special attention in a disaster situation, Laird said. Knowing who belongs in the neighborhood and who does not goes a long way to ensure the safety of everyone, she added.

Neighbor 4 Neighbor “Meet & Greets,” put on by the neighbors themselves, are potluck affairs where everyone who attend participates. The police department provides a representative and the Orange County Fire Authority is actively involved, too. The West Orange County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) sends members and it’s emergency services trailer. Also providing information and services are Southern California Edison, Marx Brothers Fire Extinguishers and A-Plus Survival (a disaster supply provider).

Block captains plan to meet in an on-going basis to keep abreast of each others’ activities and act as conduits for information important to all Highlands residents.

And Monday’s Los Alamitos City Council meeting, city leaders praised the program and discussed ways of expanding it to other neighborhoods in the city.