The inaugural Neighborhood Watch program at Yosemite Village Park is tonight beginning at 6 p.m.

The Manteca Police Department is scheduled to send a representative, possibly Officer Jason Hensley, to speak to the group and hear their ideas.

This area encompasses southwest of Union Road and West Yosemite Avenue. The people here have been concerned about safety – included are traffic woes such as speeding motorists – crime and other suspicious activities.

They met last month with Police Chief Nick Obligacion, who came away impressed with their suggestions. One neighbor, for instance, mentioned putting together a website that would allow for folks to enter anything suspicious via blog.

Obligacion encouraged neighbors to get to know each other, talk, and share information. They can also contact police by using the direct non-emergency phone number.

Long-time resident Miles Kelley helped organize the neighbors by passing out flyers for the initial informational gathering.

“We need to get rid of the riff-raff with their (loud) boom boxes driving around here at 1 o’clock in the morning,” he said.

Police added that Public Works could conduct a traffic analysis to monitor the motorists.