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Health & Fitness

National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch and the Night Stalker

National Night Out and the Night Stalker reminders of the importance of Mission Viejo's Neighborhood Watch Program.

for Mission Viejo was and all the city's Neighborhood Watch participants were invited to check-in at one of the many information booths offered at the event.  The neighborhood that had the most people who checked in won an ice cream party served up by our very own Mission Viejo law enforcement personnel! 

I was pleased to see this incentive offered, but the real incentive and reminder came this past week as the anniversary of the Night Stalker’s visit to Mission Viejo and his ultimate capture was featured on the front page of local papers and . In a Mission Viejo neighborhood on Via Zaragosa at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, 1985, 27 years ago,  an alert and observant 13-year-old boy (the same age as our son Spencer pictured here), heard a noise.  He peeked out and saw someone walking around, as he told his father he saw a prowler, he looked out front and got a description of the vehicle and a partial license plate.  Ultimately, as a result of the details he provided, the night stalker, Richard Ramirez, was caught.

The simple act of being aware, knowing your neighbors and vehicles that belong in the neighborhood, and involving your kids in Neighborhood Watch can have a major impact in your neighbor and our city of Mission Viejo.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Please organize with your neighbors and establish a neighborhood watch.  To find out more go the Neighborhood Watch section of the city website.

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