Last week, shortly after a young male suspect attempted to commit a residential burglary, the effectiveness of Antioch’s Neighborhood Watch Program proved its usefulness. The burglary suspect repeatedly rang a front door bell and then knocked on the door. When the resident didn’t answer the door, the suspect attempted to kick in the front door. The resident yelled at the suspect and the suspect fled on foot.

An officer of the Antioch Police Department arrived in the area soon thereafter, located the suspect – and the chase was on. Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Julie Zmerzlikar witnessed the attempted burglary and followed the suspect in her vehicle. She temporarily lost sight of the fleeing suspect, but relocated him as she came across the officer, who was then pursuing the suspect on foot.

Since the suspect had a substantial lead on the officer, she pulled up alongside him and invited him into her car. The officer obliged and Zmerzlikar drove the officer up next to the fleeing suspect. The officer jumped out of the car and pounced on the surprised would-be burglar, who was arrested without incident.

A Neighborhood Watch Program can put the “neighbor” back into a neighborhood by creating a sense of community, bringing citizens and law enforcement together to reduce crime. Neighborhood Watch allows community members and the police department to effectively communicate and coordinate to thwart criminal activity.

Zmerzlikar’s awareness and initiative illustrate how a concerned neighbor can help multiply the resources of the police department, which helps reduce the incidence of crime and improves the quality of life for all.

– Contributed by the Antioch Police Department